Hello! My name is Sinem Çay. I am studying in the Department of English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Istanbul Gelişim University. I am also pursuing a double major in Turkish Language and Literature. In addition, I am the president of our university’s Scientific Research Projects (BAP) Club. In 2023, I received funding under the TÜBİTAK 2209-A Research Projects Support Programme for University Students and carried out a research project, which I completed in December 2024 with the submission of my final report. I would like to share my experiences with you. Since 2021, both before and during my university studies, I have been working as a cook at the restaurant chain Big Chefs. My father also works there as a head chef, and I work alongside him. Through this experience, I have learned a great deal about the food and beverage industry, particularly the organisation and supervision of operations at Big Chefs. Drawing on these experiences, I felt that my first project should focus on gastronomy.
 
Although I also work as an English teacher, a profession I have been preparing for through many years of study, I realised that I was also skilled at teamwork in the kitchen. For this reason, I decided to carry out my first project on a topic more closely related to my working life under the TÜBİTAK 2209-A Research Projects Support Programme for University Students, together with my valued professor and academic advisor, Assistant Professor Sibel Zengin, whose Scientific Research Techniques course I had taken. I chose to examine the satisfaction of employees working in gastronomy and to measure and observe its impact on job performance. The early stages of the project were somewhat challenging for me. Finding the right sources and using them appropriately was a challenge in itself. Sometimes, the literature I consulted did not provide the depth I needed, and finding data directly relevant to the topic took time. Another challenge was managing my time during the project writing process. I was attending classes, working, and carrying out the project at the same time. Throughout this process, I learned that completing a task is just as important as starting it. The guidance of my academic advisor, Assistant Professor Sibel Zengin, was invaluable while I was writing the project. She helped me take the right steps and supported me at every stage. However, I also believe that this process strengthened my ability to make decisions independently.
 
For example, when selecting my methodology, I reviewed different approaches and decided which method best suited my project. This gave me greater confidence. I have always enjoyed handling several tasks at once; although I sometimes took on too much and let the work pile up, I still managed to get through it all. Encountering a wide range of situations in any field of work provides valuable experience.
 
Overall, writing a research project was a highly educational experience that helped me develop many important skills. First, it strengthened my critical thinking. I realised that I needed to analyse each source in depth rather than examine it only superficially. This process helped me develop the habit of considering a topic from different perspectives and comparing each new piece of data with existing knowledge. I also presented my project as a paper at an international conference, and it was published in both Turkish and English in the conference proceedings. Although I faced many challenges at the beginning, this process taught me not only how to conduct research but also how to be patient, manage my time, and improve my problem-solving skills. I will apply these experiences in my future academic and professional life.