Here's how you can navigate unexpected delays in your food science career without missing deadlines.

One thing I would advise those beginning their career is not to limit themselves. Food science is a wide field and can be subdivided into various aspects. we cannot all be food developers, researchers, or food microbiologists. There are numerous opportunities such as technical sales, culinary scientist, etc, Let's learn to explore better and see where our drive and passion lie.

The first and the foremost step before starting a work is to Plan ahead! Delays basically occur due to unexpected because of lack of ingredients, failure of a particular appliance, or regulation change, for instance. Project planning in advance on these projects, with buffer time provided for these uncertainties, will help you keep on regular progress and consistent with the project without deadlines. That is a proactive way to make sure work does not get compromised by delays and backtracking steps in a 'catch-up frenzy' but rather stays on schedule successfully with good outcomes regardless of any unforeseen challenges.

Look at the bigger picture. Stand back and see where trends are going to be not next year or 5 years but where you think everything could eventually end up the norm in 10 years time. Trends over fads. Think big.

Keep a keen eye on future trends, read and celebrate other successes in your field. Read outside your subject it’s amazing where inspiration can come from. Research the failed attempts is just as important as hearing and learning how things was made a success. Collaborate with people in your field and keep a positive mindset.

Seeking support is one aspect of career growth I uphold. It’s necessary and important to seek direction and from others in the field. This will keep you abreast of information and updates in your field.

To navigate unexpected delays in a food science career without missing deadlines, prioritize tasks and focus on the most critical ones first. Communicate early with team or supervisors about potential delays and adjust timelines if possible. Stay organized using calendars and project management tools to track tasks and deadlines. Seek support from colleagues or mentors when needed, and remain flexible to adapt plans as necessary. These strategies help manage delays effectively while ensuring deadlines are met.

Optimise Processes and refine. Look at the problem from every angle for maximum yield. However perfection is never possible to achieve so if getting to 99% perfect for what you are trying to achieve is good enough don’t spend your waking hours chasing the final 1%. Move onto the next task to get right.