DITL - Quality Controller (Fishing Industry)
It can be difficult sometimes to have an idea of what you wish to specialize in after graduating. You might find yourself wondering, what am I actually going to do? In this post, you can find some information about quality control work in the fishing industry in Namibia.
Smith Andrew Thikusho is a dear colleague and friend of mine. We met in the tiny library of UNAM Neudamm Campus in 2020. He has experience in Quality management and surveying. This is his story.
Why did you choose food science? How did you find out about
it?
''I found out about the course of food science and technology
through a career guidance event that was hosted at my high
school, Etosha Secondary School. The career guidance was
hosted by a team of staff from the University of Namibia
(UNAM) in 2016. There were a few reasons why I chose the
course Food Science and Technology. Firstly, I love science.
Food science and technology is a science-based course despite
it being under the faculty of agriculture at UNAM. The study
of biology, chemistry, and physical science has always excited
me. Secondly, the career guidance emphasized the importance of
agriculture and food security to Namibia, and that not only
got my attention but ignited a passion in me seeing my
background as a poor and starving African child so I decided
to pursue the course in hopes that I could be impactful in
helping my country produce high quality and safe food products
for the citizens including myself''.
I wanted to be impactful in helping my country produce high quality and safe food products for its citizens including myself.
What do you love most about the field?
"I love food. I mean everybody loves food! I also love the
field because it inspires innovation. It helps us find new
ways or improvements to the development of safe and nutritious
food products through product development".
Tell us about your career path since graduating from the
University of Namibia.
"I started my journey with food science and technology in 2017
and completed it in 2020. I graduated in 2021. The journey
since graduation hasn’t been sunshine and rainbows. I had a
few opportunities to use my qualification. I worked at the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
GmbH (GIZ) and Etosha Fishing Corporations".
Could you explain, in basic terms, what you do? What are
your major responsibilities?
"At GIZ I worked as a field surveyor. I investigated the
eating habits of people. What types of food they ate and how
often they ate it? Whether or not there were specific foods
restricted to certain age groups or genders etc.
My time at Etosha Fishing Corporation was spent as a quality
controller. My responsibilities included mainly the inspection
of the quality of raw materials (fish) received from
suppliers. I also oversaw the production process starting from
packaging materials, the sauces used as an ingredient, the
water for cleaning and cooking, through to the final finished
product. I inspected for defects in final products and
packaging such as dents or depressions in cans and rusts on
packaging which are all signs of hazards".
What other sort of tasks do you perform on a day-to-day
basis?
"My day-to-day tasks were determined by where I was placed by
my supervisor for a specific shift. As a quality controller,
you are expected to work at different stations and not all
quality controllers will have the same tasks for a specific
shift for that specific day. The stations are usually
laboratory work, hygiene inspection, fish feed, empty cans,
pre-cooking, after-cooking, and visual inspection. Each
station should have a quality controller who knows the
responsibilities by heart because you could be placed at any
station. There is a lot of paperwork and form filling involved
in quality control and it requires precision with little to no
mistakes. Personal qualities such as attention to detail,
quick thinking, execution, and problem-solving skills are very
important".
Which classes from college do you use most often?
"Contemporary Social Issues (CSI) and Rural Sociology were the
classes whose knowledge proved very useful. In a given work
environment there are different groups of individuals and
different tribes. It is very important to know how to interact
with different people and these classes proved to be very
valuable in this aspect. Quality Management Systems (QMS) was
another important class. This specific one is valuable in
every industry not just the food industry. It plays an
important role because all products being produced need to
meet consumer or regulatory requirements. Seafood Technology
was another important class based in the fishing industry.
Lastly, food toxicology is impactful as it made me more aware
of food contaminants and food defense which is the protection
of food from foreign materials, toxins, and contaminants.
Basic first-year modules such as biology and chemistry were
also valuable, especially knowledge on using and reading
instruments".
Any advice for people looking to get into the field of food
science?
"Whatever field one chooses to pursue is up to them, however,
is it helpful to know the modules that you could be facing
down the line. You need to know what you are good at and
choose a career path that can support that as it will help you
to get better grades. Try to choose something that you can
manage. Don’t pursue a course due to peer pressure. Go for
something you will enjoy and love doing".
Any advice for those currently enrolled in a food science
program?
"Be smart. Understand what is being taught in the classes
because the economy is unforgiving. There is no guarantee that
within a few years or months of graduating you will secure a
good job. Things aren’t always that easy. It’s better to
understand the knowledge being shared as you could use it for
yourself in the future. Sound knowledge on developing your own
product from product development or starting and managing your
own business from Entrepreneurship can save you years of
unemployment. Do not memorize and focus only on passing and
clearing modules. Use your expertise with understanding so you
don’t have to return to your books to be able to solve
problems.
Agriculture is a foundation from which a nation can feed its
citizens. As a food scientist, you are not only helping the
fight against food insecurity, you are also building an
economy, improving nutrition and diets, and best you are
diversifying the food base of Namibia".
Thanks, Smith for sharing your experience!
Instagram: simply_smithings
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LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thikusho-andrew-smith-278352220