Introducing Naomi Douglas: A Journey into Food Science and Healthy Living
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our interview series at Path Start. Our mission is to inspire and guide individuals towards fulfilling career paths, and what better way to do that than by showcasing real stories! In this series, we will be interviewing professionals and students, delving into their lives and career journeys. Join us as we explore their experiences and gain valuable insights into different career paths. Get ready to be inspired!
1. Can you briefly describe who you are and what you are studying?
My name is Naomi Douglas. I am currently in my fifth year of studies at Stellenbosch University and am busy completing my MSc in Food Science. With that being said, I am a big foodie and enjoy cooking. I have a passion for healthy living and balanced eating, but in a sustainable way. I believe in the saying, “everything in moderation”, and I try my best to live a balanced lifestyle, one where I make time for my studies, my social life, my friends and family, and of course, my health. I try to find little pleasures in each day, whether it is my morning coffee or an afternoon walk with friends.
2. Did you feel pressured to study something specific by your friends, family, teachers or even yourself?
I experienced no such pressure when deciding what I wanted to study and I made the choice on my own. At that stage in life, I was very influenced by the opinions of the people around me, but luckily experienced no pressure from them to choose a degree I did not want to pursue. I knew I wanted to study, and BSc in Food Science was the degree that stood out to me the most.
3. Did you consider your personality/values/strengths and other personal aspects of yourself when deciding what to study? If so, can you briefly what those are and how they relate to your current studies?
I did indeed take my personality, values, strengths, and other personal aspects into account when deciding what to study. I believe these aspects should align with your studies since your studies become such a big part of your life. My strengths include problem-solving and the fact that I work great in a team, which are both essential in food science. I am a sensitive person who is in touch with my emotions, therefore I decided to rather not to choose a degree where I directly have to work with people. I am also a very passionate and curious person, which helps to keep me motivated in the field of science.
4. Can you describe your current life on campus? What do you love? What do you dislike?
Most days I wake up at 6 am to exercise so that I have enough time to make myself breakfast and get dressed before I arrive at campus at 9 am. Because I am a postgraduate student, most days consist of doing research/experiments. I love drinking coffee during my work breaks and sometimes walk/drive with my friends to go and buy a takeaway cappuccino. I also love to sit outside in the sun while eating lunch with my friends. The working atmosphere in the department can sometimes become intense and filled with stress, which I dislike. As I mentioned, I am a sensitive person and am therefore greatly affected by my environment.
5. What advice would you give your younger self about your tertiary education and career path after school?
My advice would be to follow my passion and trust my gut feeling. I am fortunate that my choices led me to where I am today, but I know that I was lucky in that aspect. For example, I actually only found out about BSc Food Science a few weeks before I had to apply for University, but luckily my subjects aligned perfectly with that degree. Therefore, my last piece of advice would be to trust the process and believe that everything will work out as it must.