A step in the right direction
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© 2001 British Nutrition Foundation Nutrition Bulletin, 26, 223–226 Correspondence: Caroline Griffin, BSc (Hons) Food and Human Nutrition Student, Department of Biological & Nutritional Sciences, University of Newcastle Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK. E-mail: caroline.griffi[email protected] NEWS AND VIEWS: EDUCATION A step in the right direction Caroline Griffin Department of Biological & Nutritional Sciences, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK At the time of writing, I am approaching the final few months of a 12-month work placement at the Head Office of Nestlé UK Ltd. A work placement is an inte- gral part of my 4-year sandwich degree course, BSc. (Hons.) Food and Human Nutrition, at the University of Newcastle. The work placement is an invaluable way of gaining experience, increasing confidence, and apply- ing oneself in situations that one would not experience at university alone. I chose the Food and Human Nutrition degree for many reasons, one being that I felt a compulsory indus- trial placement would give me a good foundation for the future. It also seemed a good opportunity to put into practice some of the skills gained at university, to learn and develop new ones, and to gain experience in a busi- ness environment. I began student life at Newcastle in September 1998. The first year of the degree saw my energies channelled towards meeting new people and discovering what Newcastle had to offer, not forgetting all the lectures, experimental classes and information technology (IT) sessions. The course became more specialised in the second year, and concentrated on aspects of human nutrition, food science and food marketing. In addition to this, I received careers guidance and attended workshops with the University Careers Service. The workshops were designed to help students produce an effective CV and to take the fear out of completing the more detailed questions that follow the ‘name, address and academic qualifications’ sections of the application forms. I found the careers workshops to be invaluable as they encouraged me to assess my strengths and weak- nesses, and highlight where I had demonstrated the use of key skills through personal experiences in and out of university, including previous employment and travel. The workshops also encouraged me to be pro-active in finding a job. I made use of the careers library and the Internet, and attended company presentations and recruitment fairs. Even though emphasis was given to graduate recruitment, many larger companies offered undergraduate placements, and I was able find a number of useful contact names and addresses, as well as infor- mation about the companies themselves. There were many opportunities available to me, in both the UK and abroad. They ranged from new product development to marketing and quality assurance positions, in a number of well-known food companies. Research-based posi- tions were also available, including posts at the Human Nutrition Research Centre at the University of Newcastle, and at Medical Research Council units in Cambridge. There was also the possibility of spending up to a year at a foreign university as part of the ERASMUS scheme. In the beginning, I was very keen to go abroad for my year out, regarding it as something of an adventure. There were opportunities to do research work in the Netherlands and even the Caribbean. After much con- sideration, money, or rather the lack of money, was a major limiting factor. Other factors included language barriers, and spending up to a year away from family and friends. Had I chosen to go abroad, however, then there would have been no shortage of resources, publi- cations and contacts to help with all aspects, from finding a job to arranging accommodation. Eventually I decided to look for a placement with a company within the UK. I applied to several companies for positions in new product development and technical support. However, I was attracted most by the position at Nestlé because it was so diverse, and the job descrip- tion was very different to others that I had read. It also allowed me to use and build upon my nutrition knowledge at that time. Preparing a CV and filling out mock applications were crucial for the initial stages of completing the numerous application forms that arrived in the post. 223
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Transcript of A step in the right direction
© 2001 British Nutrition Foundation Nutrition Bulletin, 26, 223–226
Correspondence: Caroline Griffin, BSc (Hons) Food and HumanNutrition Student, Department of Biological & Nutritional Sciences,University of Newcastle Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.E-mail: [email protected]
NEWS AND VIEWS: EDUCATION
A step in the right direction
Caroline GriffinDepartment of Biological & Nutritional Sciences, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
At the time of writing, I am approaching the final fewmonths of a 12-month work placement at the HeadOffice of Nestlé UK Ltd. A work placement is an inte-gral part of my 4-year sandwich degree course, BSc.(Hons.) Food and Human Nutrition, at the Universityof Newcastle. The work placement is an invaluable wayof gaining experience, increasing confidence, and apply-ing oneself in situations that one would not experienceat university alone.
I chose the Food and Human Nutrition degree formany reasons, one being that I felt a compulsory indus-trial placement would give me a good foundation forthe future. It also seemed a good opportunity to put intopractice some of the skills gained at university, to learnand develop new ones, and to gain experience in a busi-ness environment.
I began student life at Newcastle in September 1998.The first year of the degree saw my energies channelledtowards meeting new people and discovering whatNewcastle had to offer, not forgetting all the lectures,experimental classes and information technology (IT)sessions. The course became more specialised in thesecond year, and concentrated on aspects of humannutrition, food science and food marketing. In additionto this, I received careers guidance and attended workshops with the University Careers Service. Theworkshops were designed to help students produce aneffective CV and to take the fear out of completing themore detailed questions that follow the ‘name, addressand academic qualifications’ sections of the applicationforms. I found the careers workshops to be invaluableas they encouraged me to assess my strengths and weak-nesses, and highlight where I had demonstrated the useof key skills through personal experiences in and out ofuniversity, including previous employment and travel.
The workshops also encouraged me to be pro-activein finding a job. I made use of the careers library andthe Internet, and attended company presentations andrecruitment fairs. Even though emphasis was given tograduate recruitment, many larger companies offeredundergraduate placements, and I was able find a numberof useful contact names and addresses, as well as infor-mation about the companies themselves. There weremany opportunities available to me, in both the UK andabroad. They ranged from new product development tomarketing and quality assurance positions, in a numberof well-known food companies. Research-based posi-tions were also available, including posts at the Human Nutrition Research Centre at the University ofNewcastle, and at Medical Research Council units inCambridge. There was also the possibility of spendingup to a year at a foreign university as part of theERASMUS scheme.
In the beginning, I was very keen to go abroad for myyear out, regarding it as something of an adventure.There were opportunities to do research work in theNetherlands and even the Caribbean. After much con-sideration, money, or rather the lack of money, was amajor limiting factor. Other factors included languagebarriers, and spending up to a year away from familyand friends. Had I chosen to go abroad, however, thenthere would have been no shortage of resources, publi-cations and contacts to help with all aspects, fromfinding a job to arranging accommodation.
Eventually I decided to look for a placement with acompany within the UK. I applied to several companiesfor positions in new product development and technicalsupport. However, I was attracted most by the positionat Nestlé because it was so diverse, and the job descrip-tion was very different to others that I had read. It also allowed me to use and build upon my nutritionknowledge at that time.
Preparing a CV and filling out mock applicationswere crucial for the initial stages of completing thenumerous application forms that arrived in the post.
223
The first application form that I filled out was the mostdaunting. It was photocopied several times, and onlyafter a number of practice sessions did I feel confidentenough to complete the master copy. A couple of thecompanies I applied to asked for a CV and a coveringletter explaining why I had applied for the position.Once these first applications were in the post, the fol-lowing ones became less daunting, and each one wasgood practice for the next. I received tips on successfulinterview techniques, which included the questions thatwere likely to be asked, such as ‘Why have you appliedfor this position?; Give me an example of teamwork;and Where have you demonstrated leadership skills?’,and completed aptitude tests in verbal reasoning and arithmetic.
I was fortunate enough to be selected for Nestlébefore the end of the first semester of the second year.Prior to this, I had attended an interview at a well-known food retailer. This first interview resulted in arejection, and initially, I was a little upset. However, I soon regarded it as a positive experience, because Ireflected on the aspects of the day that might have con-tributed to the rejection letter. I think a more confidentattitude and having some experience of an interview situation definitely helped me the second time around.
Each company has its own system for interviewingcandidates, including assessment centres and second-round interview sessions. The interview at Nestlé wasdivided into the following: two aptitude tests; an interview based on the application form with HumanResources; and an informal question-and-answersession with a senior nutritionist from the SpecialistNutrition Department. The day was formal, but I didnot feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the experience,and I felt that I had a positive attitude throughout,something I did not feel after my first interview.
I began my placement in July 2000. My official titleis ‘Nutrition Placement Student’ and I work in the Spe-cialist Nutrition Department. The department is splitinto four main areas: clinical nutrition; child nutrition;performance nutrition; and technical support. I workdirectly alongside the company nutritionists within thetechnical support team, and together we provide a cross-company support and advisory role to Nestlé UK. Thissupport function includes: organising nutritional train-ing and awareness sessions for new starters; and helpingto answer specialist nutrition queries. I am responsiblefor maintaining a nutritional information database ofall company products, which provides nutrition infor-mation for organisations, consumers, and Nestlé depart-ments, upon request. This involves liaising with thetechnical managers at the other Nestlé sites on a regular
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basis to find out detailed information about individualproducts, and keeping track of new product launches. Ihave also assisted Consumer Services to update andamend a series of information sheets, which list the suit-ability of company products for special diets andthrough doing this, I have gained a greater understand-ing of food intolerance and allergy.
Nestlé Clinical Nutrition (NCN) is a rapidly growingbusiness within the Specialist Nutrition Department ofNestlé UK Ltd. It supplies a range of specialist enteralfeeds and nutritional support material to hospital trusts,dietitians, community practitioners and pharmacists. Ihave worked closely with the team over the year, andgained an insight into the essential role of clinical nutri-tion products. I have come into contact with manyhealthcare professionals and users of the clinical range.This requires a good understanding of the products, andthe ability to communicate this information to medicalprofessionals and public alike. I have been fortunateenough to receive product training, and had the oppor-tunity to learn about specific dietary-related diseases,about which I previously knew very little. In additionto this, I have attended a number of healthcare exhibi-tions to promote the NCN range, and have been out onfield visits with a medical delegate to meet communitypractitioners and district nurses.
I have been responsible for organising sessions withthe Sensory Evaluation and Home Economics depart-ments on a regular basis, to taste new clinical productswhere appropriate, or compare existing products withcompetitor products. This often requires the prepara-tion of a brief, or project outline, and by doing this I feel I have improved and developed proficiency in planning and organising.
When I first started, I had a 2-week handover periodwith the previous placement student. This was a greatlearning opportunity, because I was able to question herabout the role, learn a few useful names, and ask herabout the seemingly complicated computer programs.The first day after she had left was probably more nerve-wracking than the first day that I had actually started,but I found that I picked up tasks much more quicklybecause I had to do them myself.
I would say that the first 3 or 4 months were the mostdifficult in terms of adapting to a new environment,meeting new people, and gaining confidence. After thistime, I felt able to cope with the increasingly varied tasksand as a result, the level of my responsibility increased.
I found that the people within the department were,and still are, incredibly supportive, and because of this,I have acquired many more skills. I am much less appre-hensive about talking to consumers, suppliers, and other
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© 2001 British Nutrition Foundation Nutrition Bulletin, 26, 223–226
Nestlé employees, and have much more confidence inmy ability to complete the work handed to me. I havegained an appreciation of working within a businessenvironment, beyond the specialised nature of mydegree course.
My role has not been spent entirely at a desk in anoffice. I have visited other Nestlé sites to gain an appre-ciation of some of the other areas of the business. I regu-larly attended symposia and lectures and summarisedtheir content for the team, which kept me up-to-datewith current nutritional research. I also had the oppor-tunity to attend a number of public events, including aseries of the PGA Golf Tour events in the UK, whichwere sponsored by Nestlé Nutrition. I was appointed as an on-site contact to help with the set-up and organisation. This gave me the opportunity to beactively involved in promoting company products toevent-goers.
On a personal level, I have gained satisfaction in theknowledge that I have been able to contribute to workand projects effectively and that my achievements willbe seen and used by others in the future.
I would highly recommend a placement year toanyone who is considering doing so, or is thinkingabout embarking on a sandwich degree. I have acquiredmany skills, which I may not have had the opportunityto gain otherwise; improved communication and IT,better time management, and information-gatheringskills are just some of them. In addition to this, I havemet many new people and have worked as part of areally great team.
It is a fantastic learning opportunity, and there are somany different types of placement available, that youare likely to find a position suited to you. A placementyear really is a step in the right direction for your futurecareer choices.
Correspondence: Dr Chris Seal, Placement Tutor, Department ofBiological and Nutritional Sciences, University of NewcastleNewcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.Tel: + 44 191 222- 7650; email: [email protected]
NEWS AND VIEWS: EDUCATION
‘A step in the right direction’:a placement tutor’s perspective
Chris SealDepartment of Biological and Nutritional Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Caroline is the eighth in a line of Food and HumanNutrition (FHN) Degree students from Newcastle whohave had the opportunity to spend their placement yearat Nestlé UK. We encourage the students to select aplacement of their own choice, and, although Carolinechose the ‘industry’ route, students in the past have hadsuccessful placements in research, marketing, retailmanagement and food production. The placement
year is a compulsory part of the FHN degree and theplacement offered by Nestlé fulfills key objectives for the placement year, following on from the objectivesachieved whilst searching for and obtaining the place-ment. These include providing a period of practicalexperience that will benefit the student’s academic studyand longer term career; facilitating personal develop-ment in a non-university setting and, finally, providingthe opportunity to recognise and record the develop-ment of workplace skills. This latter objective is metthrough the preparation of a portfolio of evidence suit-able for the award of a Licentiateship of the City &Guilds; added value achieved by the students from theiryear out.
There is no doubting the value of the year out.
Students return to their studies at Stage 3 with a greaterconfidence, better time-management skills, increasedknowledge and, most importantly, an awareness (some might call it realism) of what is required post-graduation in order to obtain a good job in the foodand nutrition environment. We visit students during
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their year out and we are all constantly amazed by theresponsibility they are given and by the way they rapidly adapt and become an integral part of their team. A jobat the end of the year is neither expected nor offered,however, the placement is most definitely a step in theright direction.
Correspondence: Janet Bennoson, Nutritionist, Nestlé UK Ltd St.George’s House, Croydon, Surrey CR9 1NR, UK.Tel.: + 44 208 6675321; e-mail: [email protected]
A step in the right direction:an employer’s perspective
Janet BennosonNestlé UK Ltd., St. George’s House, Croydon, Surrey, UK
Nestlé UK have employed a Nutrition PlacementStudent for several years and, as a company, have foundthat there are reciprocal benefits to this scheme that arerewarding for the employer and the employee. Not onlyis the student gaining invaluable experience of nutritionand the food industry as a whole, but we also benefitincredibly from the enthusiasm and new ideas that each new student brings. A vital part of a placementyear is for the individual to learn as much as possible,and we have found that the best way to do this is forthem to be responsible for their own projects from
beginning to end. This gives the student an enormoussense of pride in their work and helps them to see somany different areas of the business from technicaldevelopment to graphic design. A year out in industrymakes a student increasingly business-aware, helps withcareer direction and undoubtedly prepares them forfinding a job after graduation. Taking a year out canonly benefit the individual, and judging by the studentsthat have passed through our doors, it is an invaluableexperience and should be recommended to student andemployer alike.
