From Culinary Arts to Engineering: A Journey of Reinvention
Key Highlights:
- Christine Rice transitioned from culinary arts to engineering, showcasing the value of creative problem-solving across disciplines.
- Her experience highlights the importance of mentorship, perseverance, and a growth mindset in overcoming technical and emotional challenges.
- Rice’s multidisciplinary background enriches her approach to additive manufacturing and systems engineering, fostering innovative solutions.
Innovation thrives where diverse experiences and disciplines intersect—especially in engineering. Christine Rice, a culinary-creative-turned-engineering-student, embodies this truth. I first noticed Rice when she gave a thumbs-up to an art-meets-science article I had written about the Patterns of Meaning program and its partnership with METAL for America that was shared on LinkedIn.
Curious, I visited her profile and discovered she was in the midst of a major career transition. Her journey—a blend of creativity, persistence and technical ambition—made her an ideal subject for Machine Design’s Workers In Science & Engineering (WISE) coverage.
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Rice’s story is a compelling example of the growing diversity and multidisciplinary innovation shaping the engineering profession today. After earning a degree in commercial photography from Ohio University, she spent two decades immersed in the culinary and visual arts, working as a food stylist and photographer in California. These roles demanded a keen eye for detail, innovation within constraints and creative problem-solving—skills she now recognizes as foundational to her engineering pursuits.
The COVID-19 pandemic drastically disrupted Rice’s freelance career. As opportunities dried up, she was forced to reconsider her professional future. She tried pivoting within the culinary world—moving to Colorado to run a restaurant and work in kitchens—but the physical toll of the industry became unsustainable. “I decided this wasn't the right path. I'd never be able to retire. It's so hard on your body…I just knew I couldn’t do it for the next 40, 50 years,” she told Machine Design.
A turning point came in July 2024 at a family wedding, where she spoke with several engineers in her family—including her father Chris, a civil engineer. Rice saw parallels between food styling and engineering and decided to pursue the career change. “That’s what I do in food styling: creative problem solving, making things work, making things better,” she said.
After researching programs, Rice chose The Ohio State University for its comprehensive offerings, affordability and proximity to family. Despite the challenge of re-engaging with mathematics and technical coursework after two decades, she embraced the change with enthusiasm. “I hadn’t taken a math class in 20 years, but it’s all what I want to do, and it would actually be helping people instead of lying in photos of food,” she said.
During parents’ weekend, while walking through OSU’s Short North area, Rice’s father pointed out archways and light poles he had helped design—his first time seeing them completed. Rice was stunned. “What are you talking about?” she recalled asking. “He never told me any of this before…it’s very cool to see his work every day.”
Creative Problem Solving: A Common Thread
Rice’s culinary background eased her transition into engineering. Both fields demand a mindset of creative problem solving and iteration. Whether perfecting a photo shoot or troubleshooting a 3D-printed prototype, the core process remains the same: test an idea, confront failure, analyze setbacks and improve designs.
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At OSU’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME), Rice works in the Additive Manufacturing Division, gaining hands-on experience with advanced 3D-printing technologies—from plastics to metal laser powder bed fusion systems. Since arriving in January 2025, she has experimented with complex metal alloys like titanium and nickel, materials used in aerospace and medical device manufacturing.
She quickly learned that success in engineering rarely follows a straight path. Her lab embraces experimentation and views failure as a valuable part of innovation—much like her culinary career, where perfecting a dish required identifying imperfections and making strategic adjustments.
Unlike the high-pressure environment of commercial kitchens, engineering offers a more supportive atmosphere. “In a kitchen…you’re so stressed, because if you don’t make it perfect…you’re going to get yelled at,” she said. She remembers being nervous when her first 3D-printed slider device didn’t work. “I was so scared…they’re going to fire me…but, no, you learn what you messed up, and you go back and fix it.” Instead of criticism, she found encouragement. “Everyone is very helpful and friendly and wants me to succeed.”
Meeting Technical Demands with Others’ Help
The technical demands of engineering coursework and software initially posed a significant challenge. Rice faced understandable fear and hesitation when using unfamiliar design tools. But through dedication, practice and support from peers and mentors, she is steadily building her confidence and skills.
Her development has been more than technical—it’s also a mental shift toward embracing iterative design as a core engineering principle. The contrast between the stressful scrutiny of kitchen environments and the patient, encouraging ethos of her engineering program has helped her reduce anxiety and cultivate a growth mindset.
Mentorship has played a big role in Rice’s transformation. Her internship supervisor welcomed her unique background, offering both technical guidance and moral support. Peers from varied disciplines have helped her overcome imposter syndrome and develop a strong sense of belonging.
As a mature student nearing 40, Rice stands apart from many classmates—a reality she embraces with humor and perspective. “I could be their mother,” she said through the side of her mouth. Rather than viewing her age as a limitation, she considers it an asset that broadens her approach to complex engineering problems. Her rich personal and professional history fuels a multidimensional outlook, encouraging innovative solutions that weave together creative insight and technical rigor.
Integrated Systems Engineering and Future Directions
Originally enrolled in civil engineering, Rice has since shifted her focus to integrated systems engineering—a decision shaped by conversations with mentors and the alignment of her academic path with her hands-on internship experience. This interdisciplinary field allows her to explore a wide range of applications, including advanced manufacturing and infrastructure design.
Rice is particularly captivated by the possibilities within additive manufacturing. She’s intrigued by emerging applications such as medical implants, aerospace components and sustainable infrastructure. Looking ahead, she envisions leveraging her studies and experience to develop resilient, efficient systems that enhance community well-being and address pressing challenges like climate change and resource management.
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For those considering a major career pivot, Rice stresses the importance of curiosity and proactive connection-building. She encourages prospective students to reach out to professionals in their desired fields, noting that asking questions and networking are key steps toward success. She also addresses common apprehensions about returning to formal education later in life, highlighting the transformative potential of committing a few years to learning. “It can unlock an entirely new career path—one rich with purpose and passion,” she says.
Rice’s journey challenges traditional stereotypes and embodies a more inclusive, multidisciplinary vision of STEM careers—one driven not only by technical skill but also by creativity, collaboration and a desire to solve real-world problems. As the engineering profession continues to grow and diversify, stories like hers offer both a roadmap and inspiration for new generations. To think, had Rice not engaged with that LinkedIn post
To think—had Rice not engaged with that LinkedIn post, we might never have known about her inspiring journey. That simple interaction opened the door to a deeper story of reinvention, resilience and the power of interdisciplinary thinking. Her path reminds us that innovation often begins with curiosity, and that sharing our work can lead to unexpected and meaningful connections.
Editor’s Note: Machine Design’s WISE (Workers in Science and Engineering) hub compiles our coverage of workplace issues affecting the engineering field, in addition to contributions from equity seeking groups and subject matter experts within various subdisciplines.
About the Author
Sharon Spielman
Technical Editor, Machine Design
As Machine Design’s technical editor, Sharon Spielman produces content for the brand’s focus audience—design and multidisciplinary engineers. Her beat includes 3D printing/CAD; mechanical and motion systems, with an emphasis on pneumatics and linear motion; automation; robotics; and CNC machining.
Spielman has more than three decades of experience as a writer and editor for a range of B2B brands, including those that cover machine design; electrical design and manufacturing; interconnection technology; food and beverage manufacturing; process heating and cooling; finishing; and package converting.
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @sharonspielman
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