Ep. 131 – Fresh Perspectives with Veronica Hislop and Yenci Gomez, Foodgrads Ambassadors

The Foodgrads Ambassadors program is an opportunity for students in Canada to explore the food industry by getting involved and educating college students about the food industry.

Veronica and Yenci have benefitted well with the program as both now have jobs in the food science area. Veronica just recently got a job in Quality Assurance and Yenci is a product developer at Campbell’s Soup. Today we learn about how and why they became foodgrads ambassadors.

The most important thing is that we see a fresh perspective of the newest people who have entered the food industry and we talk a lot about the pain points that a lot of students struggle with when it comes to finding a food job. We hope that if you are a student or new professional, that this episode motivates you to contact Nicole Gallace at Foodgrads, and to get involved

*NEW* Patreon

Due to our ad cycle being over, we’re trying a different model for My Food Job Rocks. We have opened up a Patreon page! Now you can support My Food Job Rocks if you want to and the reward tiers go from a complementary career advice book, to ad placement and more. We’d love for you to be part of the process. Visit Patreon.com/myfoodjobrocks

Show Notes

Foodgrads Ambassador Program: A system set up by Foodgrads.
Youtube: Foodgrads youtube channel
The Foodgrads Ambassadors program has about 10 people. 7 are interested in the states. All you have to do is contact Nicole@foodgrads.com
What are the general questions you guys get as Foodgrads Ambassadors: They either wanted to know more about the food industry or more about Foodgrads.
Why did you decide to join the campus ambassadors program?:
Veronica: I worked at a career fair first and found that there were no food jobs. Eventually, I did blogs and videos.
Yenci: I followed Nicole on LinkedIn for some time and Nicole gave a talk in our university so I wanted to help out.
Why do you think people are going to the Foodgrads Ambassador program?: Students not in food science can meet people in the food industry and ask questions.
Veronica Hislop’s 7 facts series.
There are no websites for these food jobs.
Students can have a voice in the industry. The blog is an outlet to have students to write.
What got you guys interested in food science?: Both didn’t know food science was a career until someone told them about it
Taste Your Future: Food and Beverage Ontario which is funded by the government. It’s an initiative from Food and Beverage Ontario
For every one graduate, there are 4 jobs in the industry
What type of food trends really: Sustainability and Culture, and what we eat
What’s one thing in the food industry you’d like to know more about?: A lot of the food jobs aren’t known and I want to find them out because I might be interested in them. I would also ask, what makes a good food scientist and what would make me a good food product developer.
How would you solve the problem of showing food blogs?: All we really need is someone to go and tell us about their job. There should be both an online presence and in person.
For example, there are too many names for job titles like product development
What’s your favorite quote, book or kitchen item?:
Veronica:Become who you are. One of my favorite books is “the earth of ides”.
Yenci: Kindness is key and all will happen when it should.
University of Guelph motto: “Rerum cognoscere causas,” a quote from Virgil meaning “To learn the meaning of reality.”
Favorite Food: In Colombia, a really good Potato soup. Ajiaco Soup
The advice in the Food Industry:
Veronica: It doesn’t matter what your background is, just go out and talk. People are generally friendly
Yenci: Ask questions. Asking questions is a craft.
Where can we find you?:
Veronica on Linkedin, send a message!
Yenci Gomez, message on LinkedIn.
Contact Nicole with Foodgrads.