We’re thrilled to welcome you back to our Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN): Day in the Life series! This series is part of our innovative UF/FSHN Careers Advancement Project (CAP), which captures what it’s really like to earn degrees in food science, nutritional sciences, and dietetics. This project can help you discover your career passion through learning about the daily lives of students and professionals in food science and human nutrition.
Today’s topic: experience a day in the life of a second-year undergraduate student majoring in food science.
Our guest is Zachary Howard, a soon-to-be third-year undergraduate student in the food science program at the University of Florida. Zachary is also a winner of the FSHN Rising Star Award this past April. In this day-in-the-life feature, Zachary describes a typical day during the second year of his program. His busy schedule includes classes, work, hobbies, time with friends, and, of course, enjoying excellent food. In his daily life, he demonstrates an inspiring dedication to work-life balance.
Meet Our UF/FSHN CAP Guest
Name: Zachary Howard
Year: Entering third year/Junior year
Major: Food Science
Minor: International Studies in Agriculture and Life Sciences
Hometown: Highland Park, Illinois
Why I chose my major: I always wanted to be a scientist, but I was not sure how I wanted to apply myself. I came across food science, and I was fascinated by the way the major combines fields such as biology and chemistry. In addition, I have Crohn’s disease, which affects many types of foods that I can eat; therefore, I felt personally connected to food science.
Why I chose my minor: Last summer, I participated in the UF In Italy: Food Production to Consumption study abroad program with Dr. Charles Sims last summer. I absolutely loved traveling and learning about the world. This past semester, I learned that because I had gone on that trip, I only needed about a week through an international program to receive the minor. Therefore, this summer I went to Australia for the entire summer through a program called UF North Queensland: Sustaining Humans and the Environment. It was an incredible experience.
Why I chose to come to UF: The University of Florida combined prestigious academics with exceptional athletics. Both athletics and academics are significant to me. I was also interested in food science at the time, and UF had a great food science program. In my junior year of high school, I came to UF for a tour, and I fell in love with the school. The beautiful campus and great people made it my number one choice.
Hobbies: Basketball, guitar, working out, traveling, hiking.
Future plans: I am interested in getting my master’s degree, most likely in food science. After graduation, I want to work as a food scientist. I am very interested in doing research and development, specifically sustainable product development.
Final thoughts: During my first two years at UF, I have learned how to effectively manage my schedule and time. College can be extremely busy, and I have come to understand the importance of maintaining a precise schedule and staying up to date with my classes and activities. In addition to properly balancing my time, I have learned the importance of being well-rounded. I make sure to eat healthy, spend time with friends, work out consistently, and have time for hobbies like basketball and guitar. Balancing my personal life with school has been very beneficial to my mental health and overall happiness.
Day in the Life: Zachary Howard, Food Science Undergraduate Student
| Time: AM | MORNING ACTIVITIES |
| 8:15 |
Wake up
I usually wake up between 8 and 8:30. But it takes me about ten minutes to get out of bed most days as I am not the biggest morning person. |
| 8:30 |
Morning routine
For my morning routine, I take a shower, brush my teeth, make my bed, check my calendar, and get my school bag ready for the day.
|
| 8:45 |
Breakfast My breakfast is often scrambled eggs with a piece of toast. I also make myself a cup of coffee or Earl Grey tea.
|
| 9:00 |
Walk to campus My walk to campus is 15 to 20 minutes; however, this upcoming semester, the walk is only going to be about five to ten minutes, which is very exciting. I enjoy my walk to campus because it is a nice bit of exercise to start the day. In addition, as someone from Chicago, I love the warm Florida weather.
|
| 9:20 |
Taste panel Most days of the week, I open the taste panel. We start each shift by setting up the panel and prepping the products for that day. Setting up every morning includes–but is not limited to–labeling the products, organizing the trays, and getting briefed on panel questions. I usually work the first shift because afterward I have to head to my morning class.
|
| 10:45 |
First class My first class of the day depends on the day of the week. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, my first class is Biology 2. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, my first class is Organic Chemistry 2. I make sure to go to class in person every day to ensure that I am able to learn and retain the complex material from these difficult general science classes.
|
| 11:50 |
Second class On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I have an interesting elective class called Sustainable Fisheries. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have an important food science-based class, Food Government Regulations.
|
| Time: PM | AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES |
| 12:45 |
Lunch After my classes for the day, I walk back to my apartment for lunch. Oftentimes, I will get Krishna Lunch, or I stop at Publix for a pub sub, which is right on the way to my apartment.
|
| 1:30 |
Post-lunch rest After lunch, I spend some time resting at my apartment. I hang out with my roommates or listen to some music.
|
| 2:30 | Study
After taking some time for myself, I go to a quiet study space at my apartment building to study for my classes. Organic Chemistry 2 takes up the bulk of my study time; however, I make sure to study for all my classes as I take my grades very seriously.
|
| 5:00 | FSHN Club General Body Meeting
Every other week, I drive back to campus to attend the FSHN Club‘s GBMs. I am very excited to be on the FSHN executive board next semester as the Vice President of Food Science. I always look forward to our GBMs to learn more about food science and see my FSHN friends.
|
| 6:30 |
Dinner After the GBM meeting, I drive back to my apartment for dinner. I love to make chicken marsala, pork chops, or chicken parmesan.
|
| 7:30 |
Work out After dinner, I head to the apartment gym to work out. I fell in love with working out during the fall of my sophomore year, and I make sure to work out at least four times a week. Working out has been very important for my mental health. If I feel good after my workout, I’ll sometimes head to the nearby Gate gas station for a mini dessert.
|
| 9:00 |
Hang out with friends I am very fortunate to be roommates with my closest friends at school. After a long day, I am excited to spend some time with my friends. We often watch sports together, especially NBA and NFL games. We always end the night with an episode of a series that we are watching. This past year, every night would end with an episode of Game of Thrones, which is one of my favorite television series of all time.
|
| 11:30 | Get ready for bed
After hanging out with my roommates, I get ready for bed. I make sure to brush my teeth, charge my electronics, and clean my room.
|
| 12:00 | Bedtime |
Interested in learning more about careers in Food Science and Human Nutrition? Check out our UF/FSHN CAP series:
(1) What Can I Do with My Degree?
(2) Day in the Life
(3) Letters to Myself: Words of Advice and Encouragement
Learn more about FSHN’s renowned programs below!
Undergraduate Programs:
Dietetics
Food Science
Nutritional Sciences
Graduate Programs:
M.S. Dietetic Internship Program
M.S. Food Science and Human Nutrition
Ph.D. Food Science
Ph.D. Nutritional Sciences
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