Name

Ashley Hartzog-Hawkins

School

Texas Tech University

Degree Program

2nd year Master of Science student in Food Science

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Texas Tech University, 2010; Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Texas Tech University, 2010

Thesis Topic

Food safety training in non-inspected meat-packing plants in Mexico

Research Interests

Food safety training

Advisor

Mindy Brashears

Advisor’s Research Focus

Food safety

Hobbies

Horseback riding, showing dogs and horses, serving as the official Texas Tech mascot

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I selected Texas Tech University’s masters program in food sciences based on program reputation and characteristics. As an undergraduate at Texas Tech University, I became familiar with their masters program and developed some good relationships with faculty members. As a result, I was completely confident in the quality and success rate of the program.

In addition, I was attracted to the graduate program at Texas Tech University because it offered international opportunities. As a graduate student, I wanted to be able to travel and do research projects in other countries.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

In order to prepare for graduate school, I became involved with some unique extracurricular activities. For example, I served as the Texas Tech mascot during my undergraduate studies, which is a major honor.

In addition, I gained international experience to develop my bilingual skills, which is a huge asset for gaining admission into the graduate program in food science at Texas Tech. In fact, Texas Tech University features an organization within the food science program called the International Center for Food Industry Excellence, which recruits students with international experience, such as myself.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, my application required GRE test scores. In order to prepare, I studied for the math portion of the exam because I knew I needed a refresher.

Although Texas Tech University wants students to achieve a particular score on the GRE, they take into account their grades, reference letters and extracurricular activities as well. So I would encourage students not to worry too much about their GRE test scores, because they are not the only deciding factor for admission into graduate school.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

For my letters of recommendation, I chose faculty who knew me personally. Through my experience serving as the school mascot for Texas Tech University, I developed good relations with the chancellor and president of the university and consequently decided to ask them for letters. I also asked my Spanish professor for a letter because he knew my academic ambitions as a non-native Spanish speaker.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in food science?

I would tell a student who is considering applying to graduate school in food science to consider working in the food industry to gain hands-on experience. This will help them appreciate their graduate education as well as give them a better idea of specifically what they want to study.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My graduate program is 2 years long and is composed of 2 required classes, plus electives. During the first year of the program, students take the 2 core curriculum classes, which are biometry and nutritional biochemistry. Beyond that, students get to decide which classes they want to take for the rest of the program.

What is the focus of your masters research?

I chose my masters research focus after exploring different classes in food science and visiting with my advisor. During the second semester of my first year, I met with my advisor to share my research interests as well as listen to her ideas for research projects. By the end of the semester, my professor assigned me a specific topic that fit my research interests.

The focus of my research is on improving the quality and health standards of meat-packing plants in Mexico. By introducing simple protocols such as washing hands and wearing hairnets as well as giving trainings and workshops, we can improve food safety in meat-packing plants and reduce the instances of food-borne illnesses associated with E. coli and salmonella.

Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your thesis?

In terms of conducting research for my thesis, I traveled to Mexico with my advisor to audit meat-packing plants to determine their training gaps. I also interacted with plant managers and inspectors to figure out what types of workshops needed to be conducted in order to reduce contamination. Afterward, my advisor and I monitored the changes in 2 different meat-packing plants.

Now that I have wrapped up the research process, I am ready to begin writing my thesis during my final semester of the program. I need to complete my entire paper by March so that I can prepare for my defense in May. Other than those deadlines, the writing process is pretty flexible.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My advisor, whom I selected, provides me with mentorship. My advisor gets to know me on a personal level and truly cares about my academic success. She recommends different classes to me and gives me a heads up on any job openings in the food science field. I anticipate her being an excellent reference in the future because of her success in the industry and familiarity with the field.

Does your masters program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

No, my masters program does not require comprehensive exams prior to graduation.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

The main difference between a masters program and a bachelors program is the level of competition. Masters students tend to be highly successful and driven, which creates a competitive atmosphere in a graduate program. Personally, it motivates me to study and learn as much as I can.

Another main difference is the research expectations. Compared to undergraduate studies, masters students gain significant hands-on experience working in the lab and learning about different protocols and procedures such as processing food samples.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your masters program cost?

My masters program costs significantly less than it otherwise would because I have a research assistantship. I spend about $1,200 per semester on tuition, and about $100 to $150 per semester on books.

How are you funding your education?

I am funding my education through a research assistantship. I work about 20 hours per week in the micro lab, and in return I receive significant funding for tuition and other school-related costs. In order to be eligible for a research assistantship, students need to have a good academic background.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a masters degree in food science?

The time commitments for a masters degree in food science can fluctuate. I usually spend about 7 to 8 hours per week in class and 3 to 5 hours per week studying. I also spend anywhere from 15 to 30 hours per week working in the lab, depending on the number of samples that need to be processed.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Graduate school has affected my personal life by reducing the amount of free time I have. Although I have a certain amount of flexibility, my advisor wants me to let her know in advance if I will not be able to work in the lab.

In order to balance my academic and personal life, I treat graduate school as a full-time job. I maintain a personal calendar on my phone and plan ahead if I am going to have a particularly busy week.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I hope to be working as a quality assurance manager for a company in the food industry. I am interested in eventually getting involved with an international food company that buys or sells internationally. Ideally, the company would work with a Spanish-speaking country, and I could serve as a liaison between employees and plant managers using my Spanish-language skills.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters degree in food science?

I would advise prospective masters students to prepare for graduate school by taking food science courses during their undergrad programs.

In addition, I would tell students to research the food industry to determine the types of jobs that are available. I think that a graduate with a masters degree in food science can expect to find many great job opportunities.