For UQ Skills Food Science and Technology Educator, Mashhuda Carrigan, teaching was always more than a career goal. It was a calling.
“My mum was a kindergarten teacher, and I was always inspired by the joy she found in her work,” Mashhuda said.
“Her students would stay in touch with her many years later, showing that she made a lasting difference in their lives.”
Born in India and raised in Saudi Arabia, Mashhuda grew up in a diverse, close-knit community before returning to India to complete a Bachelor of Biotechnology.
After graduating, she began working in IT, but something was missing.
“I was good at what I did, but it didn’t feel like it was right for me.
“My thesis was in food microbiology, and that always fascinated me. I wanted to stay connected to science that people experience every day.”
That realisation led her to Australia, where she enrolled in UQ’s Master of Food Science and Technology, a decision that would change the course of her career.
“It was a big adjustment. I’d been in the workforce for several years, so going back to uni was challenging. But I immersed myself in my studies.”
Her efforts paid off; a 14-week industry placement became a permanent role with Sunny Queen Australia, where she spent 7 years developing expertise across many areas of the business.
“I started in quality assurance, and I had the opportunity to work across several departments — operations, supply chain, finance, research and development.
“It gave me experience in many aspects of food manufacturing.
“It also gave me a deep respect for the responsibility that comes with producing food.
“In this industry, people are consuming your product every day. That’s a big deal. You have to make sure everything you do contributes to food safety, because if you get it wrong, it’s not just a business problem, it’s a human one.”
Along the way, Mashhuda developed skills that set her up for success.
“The technical skills you can learn on the job. Things like temperature checks, calibrations, audits.
“But transferable skills such as communication, prioritisation, delegation and problem-solving; those are the skills that shape you for the future.”
After years in industry, Mashhuda felt the pull back to education.
When the opportunity arose to teach at UQ Skills, she knew it was the right step.
“So many people in the food industry are great at their jobs but they don’t always have the knowledge they need to go to the next level.
“I teach courses that help students develop their knowledge and skills in the industry.
“When industry professionals do our courses, you can see their confidence grow. They connect the dots and get a deeper understanding of food safety and quality processes.
“When students tell me it’s the first time they’ve enjoyed learning, that’s everything.
“Especially when it comes from people who’ve felt unsure about study or training before.”
“And when operations teams understand the science, they work more collaboratively with quality teams.
“It builds the capability of individuals, teams and the organisation.”
UQ Skills offer a wide range of courses and masterclasses in food science, covering areas of food safety, leadership, technology, sustainability and more.
