Randy Roberts, a student working toward his associate鈥檚 degree in enology at 5X社区 at Ashtabula, uses his previous degree in biology to help supplement his education.
Roberts previously received his bachelor鈥檚 degree from Kent State in 2010 and went to work as a research assistant at Ohio State Orthopaedics, researching new antibiotic regimens.
He believes his previous experience working in the sciences has helped prepare him for a future career in the wine industry.
鈥淚 already have gone through a lot of chemistry and biology in my prior education and work experience,鈥 Roberts says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helped a lot with enology because I can understand the chemistry of winemaking relatively easier.鈥
Edward Trebets, a professor of enology at Kent State Ashtabula, agrees that Roberts鈥 science background helps him succeed in the program.
鈥淭he science of winemaking and brewing includes the chemistry, as well as the microbiological properties of compounds and organisms,鈥 Trebets says. 鈥淩andy Roberts鈥 experience in infectious diseases gives him a good grasp of how things work on the microscopic level and allows him to understand why certain processes work and don鈥檛 work. His knowledge has given him a leg up on his fellow classmates.鈥
Roberts currently works at a winery and hopes to continue working in the wine industry after he completes his associate鈥檚 degree in 2018.
Learn more about the enology program at Kent State Ashtabula