Hello,
I am new to IFSQN as I am attempting to branch out into food safety consulting. I teach microbiology at our local college and was recently approached by a grain processing plant to help with some microbial risk training. Never done it before but successfully completed the consultancy with a hunger for more.
I have a BSc.and MSc. in Biology and recently completed HACCP training (International HACCP Alliance). The HACCP training was to begin my quest to develop myself into a an effective food safety consultant.
I have read the posts on careers and feel overwhelmed at the prospect of needing 5 years of experience before certifying as an auditor.
My inclination is to certify as far as I can to be able to one day leave my teaching job and pursue consultancy full time. With my limited vision for now; I would like to help small and mid scale local grain /meat industries develop and maintain their HACCP compliance. As I grow, my end goal is to do international consultancy in Africa as they integrate into global food supply
Would I be better off doing a PhD or another MSc in Food safety (spending no less than $20,000) or rather get certified? What advice can you give?
If it is your opinion I certify, how far and what certification tracks should I pursue bearing in mind that I currently lack the full time experience to certify as an auditor?
Any help will greatly be appreciated.