Peer Mentor Profile

Meagan Hodges - Quality Assurance Compliance Coordinator, Fonterra

Studied: Bachelor of Biological Sciences, La Trobe University. Mentor: 2009 - 2010.

I graduated from La Trobe University, with a Bachelor of Biological Science. I majored in Microbiology because I found it interesting and I could relate it to everyday experiences. I am now working as a Quality Assurance Compliance Coordinator at Fonterra, and I find it very rewarding.

My experiences with McDonalds, (where I worked during my university years) gave me quality assurance skills, but In2science gave me the confidence to apply. The program also gave me skills that helped me during interviews answering difficult questions. In2science also helped me in my current role by helping me troubleshoot and investigate difficult problems and identify solutions. It also helps me to explain situations clearly so that others who are not as experienced, can understand them.

I had always been involved in volunteer work back home, so university wasn’t going to be any different. I think that In2science is a great program, and because I am so passionate about science, I wanted to share it. I originally decided to apply for the In2science program to get a feel for the teaching environment, as my mother is a teacher, and there are many opportunities for science teachers.

My favourite experience was during the last of my 3 placements where I was placed at a local primary school. Changing a child’s perception of a ‘typical geek scientist’ to someone who is ‘cool’ and give inspiration to children that would have otherwise though that science was ‘nerdy’ and for boys only, was the biggest gift I could have taken away from my time at school placement. Getting younger children enthusiastic about science at such an early age and seeing how they expand their science language because of the involvement of In2cience was very rewarding.

Although I loved In2science, my early career has taken a different path, but I am still just as keen to one day study a Diploma in Education because of the experiences that I had during my time with In2science.

Megan