What are you studying? Making flowers? Wind energy?
My name is Mardi Traskowsky, and I am a sophomore at K-State studying Milling Science and Management. Milling Science is a program exclusive to K-State, because of this there is often confusion as to what Milling Science is. I understand that the program is small, so I am not surprised at all when I get asked questions like the example I used in the title. I am more than happy to talk about and explain what Milling is, as I am proud of the accomplishments that the staff and students in this program have worked hard for.! I am going to give you the breakdown of the program from a student perspective.
Milling Science is a Bachelor of Science Degree that is only offered at Kansas State University.
I like to think of it as an applied engineering degree. We study agriculture, management and business, and sciences, too. It is a very well-rounded degree that sets us up for a successful career post-graduation.
There are two options within the degree, Cereal Chemistry and Operations.
The job placement rate has been 100% since the 1960’s. The majority of the graduating seniors have their full-time jobs lined up by the November prior to graduation.
Starting salaries are between $55,000 and $65,000+, which is one of the highest at the University!
LOTS of scholarship opportunities, because if you’re like me, you’re always looking for a way to lower costs! Scholarships from the department range from $500-$5,000!
We are housed within the Grain Science Department. Our Major specific classes are taught in Shellenberger Hall on campus, or at the Grain Science Complex north of the football stadium.
Bakery Science is also housed in Shellenberger. You can bet it almost always smells like fresh baked goods!
In addition to the smaller labs in Shellenberger, we also have a state of the art, full size mill just north of Bill Snyder Family Stadium. We get to learn about the equipment inside, and how to operate and run the Mill for certain classes.
The mill also employs students like me!
Internships for undergraduates are also a popular thing. Many students start taking internships as soon as their Freshman year! These internships range from wheat milling, to corn, to rice, to distillation, and are located all over the country. Sometimes students even choose to do international internships! There’s a map in the east entryway of Shellenberger for visitors and other students to see where students had interned the previous summer.
The Milling Science Club is an awesome way to get involved within the program. Members mill, mix, package, and sell our own flour products to raise money for club members to go to two conferences in the spring: GEAPS and IAOM. We have also gone on short day tours, and when we have to get together to work on packaging product, there’s always pizza!
I am reaching the end of my sophomore year and am excited to catch a break from school and head to my internship, though I will not be growing flowers or building windmills at this one. Milling Science truly is a unique degree, and I can speak for many of our students when I say that it is a perfect fit for what I am interested in. If prospective students or if anyone is curious about the program please reach out to the College of Agriculture, or the Grain Science Department.
In Sisterhood,
Mardi Traskowsky