An inspiring Unisa journey to a PhD in consumer science

For Soné Corné van Zuydam, obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy in Consumer Science from Unisa wasn't simply a career move, it was a lifelong dream. Driven by a fascination for food and nutrition, she embarked on a journey that demanded a great deal of resilience, self-motivation, and commitment. Her story is testament to her perseverance and the power of education, which transformed both her personal and professional life.

Dr Soné Corné van Zuydam

Van Zuydam’s major in Food and Nutrition at Unisa was more than an academic choice and reflects her interest in the nutritional aspects of food. “Nutrition is something that fascinates me,” she says. Her passion for nutrition kept her grounded when she studied remotely and had to strike a balance between her personal aspirations and her studies.

Although Unisa’s distance learning model is celebrated for its flexibility, it also requires exceptional self-discipline. “One of the biggest challenges was that everything happened online without any face-to-face interaction,” Van Zuydam comments. Recruiting participants, gathering data, and drafting her thesis were a daunting task. She relied on Microsoft Teams to connect with her mentors and colleagues and managed her time according to a rigorous schedule. Late nights and early mornings were part of her daily routine. She worked especially hard over weekends.

But her motivation and determination never wavered. “Achieving my PhD was a dream, so I took my studies day by day, remained positive and stayed the course,” she explains. Her steady, incremental approach proves that a few small steps each day can lead to an extraordinary accomplishment.

Van Zuydam was in for more than the acquisition of academic knowledge. The perseverance and creative problem-solving skills she has developed are invaluable in her daily life and career. Van Zuydam observes that she has learned to think out of the box.

She credits Unisa’s supportive environment for her success, particularly the training sessions on Microsoft Teams and her supervisor’s guidance. Her academic mentors’ encouragement fuelled her progress and reinforced her belief in Unisa’s mission to empower students so that they can achieve their academic and career aspirations.

Van Zuydam’s message for current and future students is simple yet powerful: “Persevere when the going gets tough. It will all be worth the trouble the day you graduate and hold your degree or certificate in your hands.” Without a doubt, she owes her degree to her dedication and resilience.

Van Zuydam envisages a career that blends her expertise in consumer science with her passion for teaching. “I want to share my knowledge and help students achieve their academic goals. That would be my contribution to the academic community,” she adds. After more than a decade in academia, she embraces the challenge of balancing her personal and professional life and are of the opinion that her educational journey laid the foundation for a meaningful career and a richer personal life.

Reflecting on her journey, Van Zuydam says she believes in the transformative power of education. “It has developed me intellectually and the expertise I have acquired will benefit my future,” she notes. Her advice to prospective students is: “I highly recommend Unisa for your academic journey. It’s an honour to be part of the Unisa team.”

Van Zuydam’s story is an inspiring reminder that our dreams are achievable if we are committed and resilient, and have a positive mindset. Her path at Unisa not only shaped her career but also transformed her approach to life. For anyone considering the life-changing journey in higher education, her story is one of encouragement.

* By Jo Cossavella, Communications Officer, Unisa KwaZulu-Natal, with input from ChatGPT