Miilhan Stephens
Name: Miilhan Stephens
Age: 22
Hometown: Bloomington, IL and Columbia, MD
Major: Food Science
Academic Year: Junior
I chose to go to the University of Maryland and major in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources because I wanted to study food science. I liked the direct applications and how it would apply to my career, and I saw good job security. It looked like fun, too.
In the College of Agriculture of Natural Resources, you have great connections. My advisor had a very easy time recommending different internships to me, and it opened up my idea of what the field was about. Later on in my major I take more in depth classes, which I can apply directly to my career.
I worked at TIC Gums in White Marsh, where I did research and performed experiments. The primary experiment was to create a stable vitamin, which is used for making beverages, and to make sure the sensory properties, like taste and smell, were acceptable. I also got to work at Taylor Farms, where I got to work closely with senior management and got a bigger picture of what the food industry is about. I had the right connections for these opportunities; our school definitely has a lot of great resources that people can take advantage of.
I like the people in the College of AGNR. There's a lot of collaborative work with other students, and it's less stressful because faculty and staff provide you with a lot of support
Favorite Class: Food Chemistry. Chemistry has always been a favorite of mine, so when you apply it to food it's pretty cool.
Advice for prospective students and parents: There is always a growing need for people in these fields. The University of Maryland has great resources, and you can be sure you'll be able to connect with your professors.
ShareThisLast updated: 02/15/2011