Lindy Fraser
Graduate
BSc (Hons) Food Science
Like many people, Lindy Fraser came to Otago "to do Health Sciences".
What she ended up with was a BSc Honours, majoring in Food Science, and is now a Product Development Technologist with Frucor Beverages Limited in Auckland. Lindy joined the company in November 2003 and is involved in the research and development of new kinds of drinks.
Lindy's job, as part of a team of Product Development Technologists, is to come up with a prototype for a new kind of drink that matches the marketing team's brief. "It involves playing around in the lab with different flavours and concentrates in order to get the best taste."
Lindy's priority just now is to get as much experience in the industry as possible. "The beauty of this degree is that it doesn't narrow you down in terms of job prospects."
One of the strengths of Otago's Food Science degree, Lindy believes, is the "hands-on" experience you get. "We had to do a project at Cadbury's which meant we were working in their labs. It was a great opportunity to get a feel for the industry."
Another thing Lindy is grateful for is the "one-to-one contact" with the lecturers that Otago offer. "It's a small faculty so there's plenty of opportunity to talk to the staff. They're always available, not just in fourth year, but throughout the course of the degree."
In fact, there's a whole Otago network Lindy has built up since her time here, "Most of the people I see in the weekends went to Otago, and a lot of the people who work in this industry started off in Dunedin".