Tara Hartnett
Bernardsville
Summary
Food Science major at Virginia Tech, who is passionate about working with food and researching in this interdisciplinary field. I find nutrition and proper eating habits to be critical parts of the human experience, which I aim to emphasize through my work as a food scientist. I have always been passionate about food and science, so I combined these interests into the perfect field of study. My professional goal is to work with a company that values health, nutrition, and food security as much as I do.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Swim Coach & Lifeguard
Fairmount Country Club
Chatham
05.2022 - 08.2025
- Developed age-appropriate lesson plans based on each swimmer's abilities (ages 6-17).
- Exhibited strong organizational and analytical skills to organize swim practices and competitions.
- Attended meetings with other coaches to discuss strategy and share best practices.
- Monitored pool area to ensure safety and compliance with club regulations.
Lifeguard
Roxiticus Golf Club
Mendham
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Monitored pool area to ensure safety and compliance with club regulations.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain cleanliness and organization of facilities.
- Provided exceptional customer service, addressing member inquiries and concerns promptly.
Swim Coach
Special Olympics
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Coached children with developmental disabilities and guided them through relays and races.
Counselor and Lake & Pool Lifeguard
Camp New Day
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Volunteered at a summer camp for adults with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and autism.
- Serve as a leader for camp members, organize events and creative games.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Food Science And Technology
Virginia Tech University
Blacksburg, VA05.2026
Graduated -
Bernards High School
Bernardsville, NJ05.2022
Skills
- Communication & Leadership Skills
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Google Drive
- Adobe Photoshop
- Python
Certification
Food Science & Technology Food Manufacturing Certifications, Current Good Manufacturing Practices for Foods - FDA, Preventative Controls for Human Foods - FDA & Preventative Controls Alliance, HACCP - Recognized by the International HACCP Alliance
Extracurricular Activities
Food Science Club, Member, 08/22, Current Junior Heartworks, Volunteer, 10/20, Hannaford Swim-a-thon, Volunteer Swimmer, 01/18, 12/22 Bernards High School Swim Team, Co-Captain & Swimmer, 01/18, 12/22
Industry Exposure
- PepsiCo (Gatorade) Manufacturing Facility – Observed beverage formulation, quality control checkpoints, and high-speed bottling operations
- Bimbo Bakeries Production Facility – Gained exposure to large-scale bakery processing, dough handling, baking, and food safety systems
- Hershey’s Manufacturing Facility – Observed chocolate processing, tempering, packaging automation, and allergen control practices
Coursework
- Introduction to Food Science
- The Aesthetics of Food
- Agriculture, Arts, and Society
- Foods, Nutrition, and Exercise
- Raw to Burnt: Exploring Foods
- Biological Statistics
- Food Microbiology
- Food Processing
- Food Chemistry
- Nanoscience
- Material Science and Engineering
Timeline
Swim Coach & Lifeguard
Fairmount Country Club
05.2022 - 08.2025
Lifeguard
Roxiticus Golf Club
01.2018 - 01.2022
Swim Coach
Special Olympics
01.2018 - 01.2020
Counselor and Lake & Pool Lifeguard
Camp New Day
01.2018 - 01.2020
Bachelor of Science - Food Science And Technology
Virginia Tech University
Graduated -
Bernards High School