For the members of Penn State’s Food Science Club, the organization isn’t just a way to share a passion for the discipline — it’s a way to build their academic and professional careers.
The Food Science Club is a student-based group in the College of Agricultural Sciences composed of undergraduate and graduate students across all the colleges at Penn State. The club mainly promotes the interactions between food science students, faculty and the food industry through various events held throughout the year, but it is also an opportunity for students to advance their academic and professional careers.
Sydney McMurray, a third-year food science student and co-president of the club, said her involvement in the group started well before she enrolled at Penn State, thanks to Christopher Sigler, assistant teaching professor in food science and faculty club adviser.
“I knew from high school that I wanted to go into food science, and my mom suggested the program at Penn State,” McMurray said. “During our campus visit, Dr. Sigler was handing out free chocolate and gave me a tour of the building and told me all about the club and the major.”
Sigler said he’s proud of what the club has accomplished for its members.
“I am beyond impressed with how this club has provided countless internships and employment opportunities to its members,” he said. “As advisers to the club, Dr. Josephine Wee and I are proud of how well they have created and fostered a family-centered culture for its members.”
The Food Science Club meets once a week to discuss club business and activities. These meetings feature guest lecturers and presentations from food companies, where they host a dinner social for students as well. The club also hosts social activities like the annual Food Science Tailgate, scooping ice cream at Harvestfest in DelGrosso’s Amusement Park, and career workshops, among others.
Ultimately, McMurray said, the club’s goal is to help drive its members’ academic and career success.
“The purpose is to connect students with their peers, their professors and potential employers,” she said. “It gives them an open space to talk about the industry and discover where they want to be in the future.”
McMurray said the club also values building the community, as many alumni return to talk about their careers. Because most of the speakers who come to the club’s weekly meetings have graduated from Penn State's Food Science program or a related field, there is always opportunity to build connections between graduates and students, she added.
Kacie Czyszczon, a third-year student in food science and vice president of the club, has been involved with the organization since she came to Penn State, and was the social chair during her second year. She said her experience with the club has been very positive, and the group is welcoming of all students and fields of study, despite it being centered around food science.
Source: psu.edu
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fatcamera
Categories: Pennsylvania, General