Career spotlight: Emma Koubayssi of Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors
Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors bring the sector to life talking about everyday experiences at careers events, classroom lessons, site visit, STEM-focused events and workshops for teachers and career influencers.
They all have their own stories and here we meet project co-ordinator Emma Koubayssi - and ask her to share her story.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself
I’ve lived in six different countries and went to eight different schools.
Tell us about your careers journey so far
My career has definitely been a bit squiggly, I’ve always loved change, variety and travel. Looking back, the best decisions I made were the ones that felt right in my heart. When I made choices just because they seemed sensible, they often didn’t work out.
I first went to Strathclyde to study Business and Marketing but soon realised it wasn’t for me, so I switched to History at Glasgow. I wish I’d taken some time to work before university. It took me a while to get used to self-directed study, something I now know links to my neurodivergence.
While at uni, I juggled a few jobs and hosted a radio show for four years – those experiences taught me more about communication and confidence than any lecture.
After graduating, I fell into a career in communications, working in football, health, food & drink and education across Scotland, London and Australia. Eventually I retrained as a yoga teacher and inclusive coach, funding a lot of extra study in my own time, whilst also moving into programme work that combines creativity, learning and people development.
“Looking back, the best decisions I made were the ones that felt right in my heart. When I made choices just because they seemed sensible, they often didn’t work out.”
“My work lets me live life on my own terms while doing something that feels meaningful and connected to who I am.”
What was your favourite subject in school and why?
My favourite subjects were English, History and Modern Studies – they gave me space to talk, analyse and reflect. I loved exploring how people and cultures shape the world, and why things are the way they are now. Those subjects helped me build communication and critical thinking skills that I still use every day. I always loved the idea of learning languages too, but being dyslexic made it really hard to learn in the way it was taught at school. Even so, my love of travel and curiosity about people have stayed central to who I am and the work I do.
What subjects/qualifications/skills are useful for your role?
For me, it’s less about specific subjects or qualifications and more about attitude, being curious, open-minded and willing to keep learning. Soft skills like communication, organisation and empathy are central to what I do. Growing up, I struggled with organisation and prioritisation because of my neurodiversity, and it wasn’t until I found the right environment that I got the support I needed to turn those challenges into strengths. I’ve invested a lot in my own personal and professional development, which has been key to building a career that feels meaningful and true to me.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
I love the variety: no two days are ever the same. I work across different projects and clients, which keeps things interesting and allows me to keep learning. I enjoy the freedom that comes with working for myself and being able to shape my own schedule.
The most rewarding part, though, is helping people grow whether that’s through my role as the Scottish Food & Drink Ambassador co-ordinator, coaching, mentoring or creating learning experiences that build confidence and self-awareness. My work lets me live life on my own terms while doing something that feels meaningful and connected to who I am.
What is a normal day in your role like?
I’ll focus on my work as Programme Co-ordinator for the Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors programme, which is part of a wider mix of projects I manage.
No two days are ever the same. Some days I’m meeting with partners, employers or educators, planning activities or writing updates to share with our Ambassadors. Other days I’m checking in with people to see what support they need.
My work is like me, always evolving. I love the mix of structure and freedom; I get to work independently and connect people who are passionate about making Scotland’s food and drink industry stronger.
And what does your job title mean?
As Project Co-ordinator for the Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors programme, I help bring everything together people, ideas and opportunities. I work with partners, employers, educators and Ambassadors to grow the programme’s reach and impact across Scotland.
My job involves planning activities, supporting communication between different groups, and helping others share their stories about working in food and drink. It’s a role that combines creativity, organisation and collaboration making sure the programme runs smoothly while inspiring the next generation to explore this exciting sector.
Can you suggest an activity that could be done at home that illustrates an aspect of your work?
Think about what really interests you, it could be food, science, creativity, or how things are made. Then explore how that passion could connect to a career in Scotland’s food and drink industry.
You can start by looking at the Tasty Careers interactive map to see just how many different roles exist from design and marketing to farming, engineering and sustainability. My work as part of the Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors programme is all about helping people see that there’s a place for every talent and personality in this industry.