Here in the United States, we are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday that revolves around two things that are very important to me: giving thanks, and food. When the holiday rolls around each November, I cannot help but reflect on my time with IFT, because truth be told, there are only a few things I am more thankful for than my experience with this association.
I joined IFT in 1977, during my first year of graduate school at Cornell University. This is before IFTSA even existed, so at the time I was involved in my school’s food science club and pursuing my studies. Either a professor or a fellow student told me to join; honestly, I can’t even remember after so many years! And, at this point, it doesn’t really matter. But I can tell you one thing: I am incredibly thankful for the suggestion.
Early on in grad school, I went to my first IFT annual meeting in New Orleans. I was a student technical monitor. This was back in the olden days—essentially, I was scanning people’s badges as they were going in and out of sessions to keep track of attendance numbers. Being a part of IFT as a grad student and going to that first annual meeting sort of reminded me of the board game Candy Land. We were in the Superdome, attending technical sessions up at the top level, looking down at the expo below and seeing this sort of magical, colorful fantasy world that was somehow real. It was amazing. In fact, it still looks like that to me, and those memories come flooding back to me whenever I come to the Annual Event and Food Expo.
Flash forward a few years. Once my research was far enough along, I presented at the IFT annual event. Afterward, Jim Kirk, who was then a professor at the University of Florida, said, “When you are ready to post-doc, contact me.” And even though my career path did not include a post-doc, and even through Jim left academia to go work at Campbell’s, those are the sort of experiences that make you go, “Wow!” I realized then that IFT is the kind of organization that can help anyone to reach their career goals, and I knew I had to get more involved.
So I started volunteering, and I can honestly say it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. If you haven’t ever considered volunteering, I cannot recommend it enough. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: no matter how much time you put into IFT, you always get 10 times more out of it. Whenever I have been seeking something in my professional life, IFT has been there to help me, just as I hope you can feel it is there for you.
At the same time, if you want to have an influence on IFT and on the science of food profession, there’s no better place to start than as a volunteer. It’s the ultimate win-win.
Our IFT volunteers are the lifeblood of this association. They are the people that make IFT run. Their hard work, time, and dedication are present in every part of IFT—from our Division webcasts, to Section events, to the scientific programming at our Annual Event and Food Expo. Our volunteers help mentor up-and-coming science of food professionals. They review the submissions to our scientific journals. They make up our Board of Directors. They give their time to improve our organization and our profession, and for that I am eternally grateful.
I hold IFT very close to my heart. From a young age, my children understood how important IFT was to me and would often say, “Don’t get in the way of mom and IFT!” It has provided me with an experience I will never forget. It’s given me lifelong friendships, career opportunities, and ongoing education. IFT has taught me communication and leadership skills, and it’s given me a network unlike anything else in our profession.
IFT is my second family. And it really is like a family: we trust each other, and we learn from each other and sure, sometimes we argue, but we always come back to that familial bond.
Thank you to all of the amazing volunteers who make IFT the great place it is, and thank you to IFT for allowing the volunteers to learn and grow as they move through their careers. You are the glue that holds our great family together, and for that, I am deeply thankful.
Michele Perchonok, PhD, CFS
IFT President, 2018–2019
[email protected]
