Greetings and welcome 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 Paulina Bonilla Valdez, a soon-to-be third-year undergraduate student in the food science program at the University of Florida. Paulina is also a winner of the FSHN Rising Star Award. Starting with a heart-pumping workout and ending with studying and fun with friends, Paulina shares a usual Wednesday during her sophomore year as a food science major. She also offers three tips for new students to help them make the most of their time.
Meet Our UF/FSHN CAP Guest
Name: Paulina Bonilla Valdez
Year: Entering third year/Junior year
Major: Food Science
Minor: Chemistry
Hometown: Guatemala City, Guatemala
Why I chose my major: I chose my major because since I was 15 years old, my passion for cooking and my growing interest in science came together perfectly in Food Science. I loved the idea of combining creativity with chemistry, nutrition, and innovation to better understand how food impacts people’s lives and to help develop new products.
Why I chose to come to UF: I chose to come to the University of Florida because of its strong food science program and the many great opportunities that come with being a Gator! For example, I’ve enjoyed getting involved in research, experiencing a close student community, great sports, and study abroad opportunities like the one I had this summer in Italy.
Hobbies: Going to work out classes, traveling with friends and family, reading, watching shows, and eating great food!
Future plans: As the upcoming FSHN Club president, I want to help create an engaging and welcoming environment for students while continuing to strengthen the sense of community within the department. I also hope to continue gaining research and industry experience in food product development and eventually pursue a career in research and development within the food industry, focusing on creating innovative and nutritious products that can positively impact consumers’ health.
Final thoughts:
1. Get involved!
Helping around the department and volunteering for different activities helps you meet so many people and form great connections! Besides you get to learn how great the FSHN department is.
2. Step outside your comfort zone.
Some of the best opportunities and friendships come from trying new things and saying yes to experiences you may have initially been nervous about.
3. Put in consistent effort to meet goals.
One of the biggest things I learned is that you can achieve goals that may initially seem impossible through hard work, consistency, and clear goal setting. When you truly set your mind to something and put in the effort every day, you can accomplish far more than you think.
Day in the Life: Paulina Bonilla Valdez, Food Science Undergraduate Student
| Time: AM | MORNING ACTIVITIES |
| 6:45 |
Workout
Cycling Class at student rec with friends! I love starting my day with an early workout because it helps me feel motivated the rest of the day and doing it with my friends helps me wake up that early in the morning. |
| 7:30 |
Breakfast
Get ready for the day and eat breakfast. I usually have a yogurt bowl or eggs and I always check my agenda and calendar for what I have to for the day. I can’t start my day without coffee, and I always make a homemade latte with almond milk and sugar-free vanilla syrup!
|
| 8:30-11:30 |
Classes Last semester I took Orgo 1 (organic chemistry) which was a hard class, but I ended up liking synthesis at the end! I also took Food Government Regulations with Dr. Soohyoun Ahn which was really fun, and I learned so much about FDA and USDA regulations.
|
| Time: PM | AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES |
| 12:00 |
Lunch I eat lunch at my apartment, and lately I have tried to get into meal prep. I enjoy taking the time to make lunch every day. My favorite is salmon with rice, avocado, cucumbers, and seaweed, and my Greek yogurt sriracha bowl.
|
| 1:00-4:00 |
Research Work in Dr. Juan Andrade‘s research lab. I work with Dr. Andrade’s graduate student Ana Matheu and help her with her thesis on exploring green banana flour as a complementary food.
|
| 5:00 |
Meeting FSHN Club meeting or GBM. I get to see my FSHN friends and be part of our fun GBMs and events.
|
| 6:30 | Dinner
I usually make my own dinner, and I have something lighter because I don’t feel like cooking as much! I often like eggs and cheese tortillas.
|
| 7:30-10:00 |
Study I have a desk in my room and a whiteboard that helps me study! I usually make myself a cup of tea while studying. I can’t study with music because it distracts me, and I make a lot of flashcards.
|
| 10:15 |
Bedtime I do my skincare, call my parents to say goodnight, and read a little before bed.
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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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