Ep. 108 - [Graduate Student Series] The Masters of Professional Studies with Catherine Boyles and Meghan Marchuk, Students at Cornell University

So this is part of the graduate student series, a series launched last year about graduate school. Even though Cat and Meg are graduate students, they have taken a different path. And this path is actually getting more popular. Cat and Meg are both getting their Masters of Professional Studies

Designed for professions who want to transition into the food industry, this program is sprouting up everywhere. Even Cal Poly has one just for their dairy program!

According to Cat and Meg, this 1 year intensive course allows you to tackle on a project while taking the classes you’ve always wanted including but not limited to, wine tasting, food entrepreneurship, and cheese making.

Not only that, but Cat and Meg are also food communicators and instead of doing just a plain old podcast, they are killing it using Instagram! Check out @nonfictionfoods, where Cat and Meg post beautiful pictures of food and the science of that food.

Overall, if you’re interested in a different approach for graduate school, or are interested in the food industry, this might be the episode for you

About Meg

Meg is a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) student in Food Science at Cornell University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Queen’s University, Canada in 2015. Between her degrees, she worked for two years in sales and marketing with consumer packaged goods companies. It was here that she was inspired to go back to school and pursue a career in the food industry. Aside from school, Meg has always been passionate about food and public health. She is excited to be a part of the next generation of food leaders that thinks of innovative ways to drive the industry forward and create products to improve our quality of life.

About Cat

Cat is also a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) student in Food Science at Cornell University. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the College of Wooster, OH in 2017. Following her junior year, she interned in Quality Assurance for Gordon Food Service in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was there that she fell in love with what the food industry has to offer. She is looking forward to pursuing a career in the food industry that melds her passion for science and creativity.

About Nonfiction Foods

Nonfiction Foods is the brainchild of two Cornell professional graduate students, created in an effort to bridge the gap between science and the foods we eat every day. After meeting at Cornell, Meg & Cat realized how little they and their friends and families knew about the foods they consume. The biggest barrier they found was the lack of reliable media presence for food science facts and so Nonfiction Foods was created.

They are primarily on Instagram and reached 1,000 followers in just under two months of starting. In addition to their Instagram they have a website, Facebook page, and are currently on the lookout for new opportunities to expand their reach.

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Episode Summary

Cathrine Boyles - 1st year in professional studies. Love the free food Meghan Marchuk - 1st year in professional studies. Love the scenery We are studying a professional study. It’s a 1 year course that has you choose a project to complete so you go straight to industry. You can specialize in food product development, food chemistry, etc. You can take a diverse amount of classes Cathrine – Chemistry background wvas in Canada and work for food industry companies Meghan – Graduate from the College of Wooster and jumped straight into the course. Interest in entrepreneurship How did you find out about the program?: I googled food science masters and this was the most appealing. You have to do your GRE and send your transcripts Is there a requirement?: Cornell is pretty vague on grades and GRE scores. We think the personal statement matters the most. How do you write a personal statement?: Ask the alumni these questions. You should mention how you’ll give back to the school. You also need a great hook. How many units do you have to take?: We have to take 30 credits (per hour). 20 of them have to be food science. Has to be a 4000 (4 level class) Do you have any funny stories in your classes?: In our wine class, we were confused when our professor tasted asparagus in wine. What’s the biggest thing you learned about your application process?: Talk and email alumni. Don’t be afraid to email people outside your comfort zone. Figure out your advisor before you get there. It’s hard, but do your research! How are advisors different in your program?: We have a very different experience with advisors compared to other graduate students. Lay out your expectations What kind of questions you asked to have you convinced of this program?: It’s quite a large financial bet. I had to ask people, “will this course get me a leg up on the competition?” The cost of the program is around: 30k (30% added on in Canada). It is an investment What type of food tends and technologies are exciting right now?; The plant-based alternatives. I love meat, but I understand the environmental and ethnical issues. HPP- High Pressure process used for diamonds now for the food industry. Apparently, very good at getting the meat out of a lobster. What is the biggest challenge the food industry needs to face?: Factory farming, and food waste. Also, how are all of these food companies going to work in the future? How are we also going to communicate with food? Nonfiction foods: How did you make it? Sitting in class and learning about eggs and that’s how it got started. We went through 100s and 100s of text messages about the names. Rejected names: the Shucking Truth Tips on Instagram: Hashtags, comment and talk to other food blog influencers. Who inspired you to get into food: To both, my family. Favorite quote book or kitchen item: Good Food Great Business by Susie Wyshak Favorite kitchen items: I want to buy a kitchen aid mixer. Also a garlic press Ingredient by Ali Bouzari What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten?: Banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery. The pepperoni roll Jessica Goldstein The best thing about being a graduate student: The flexibility, the diverse classes, and meeting amazing people in the food industry The worst thing: Being poor, the blend of work-life balance, not enough time to prepare for your career sinc eit’s only a year Do you have any advice for anyone to go to graduate school?: Do an internship or work a bit so you have some direction. The application process is not easy and no streamlined. Always remember to keep trying and reach out to people. What’s the best way to contact you?: ceb364@cornell.edu mam795@cornell.edu Instagram: nonfiction foods 

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