IFST SE Branch Meeting with the Reading University Food Science and Nutrition students

Around 40 students and members of the IFST South Eastern Branch met at the University of Reading to hear presentation by the students, of their experiences during their 3rd year industrial placements.

Jonathan Hannam, one of the student organisers of the event, welcomed all to the meeting and presented the agenda for the evening. 

After a brief introduction to the IFST by David Rosie, Emma Priestly and Daniel Clarke, IFST Student Ambassadors, then provided a detailed view of what The Institute has to offer students at the start of their professional careers and the advantages of student membership.

The main part of the programme followed with very professional presentations by Elizabeth Uwiduhaye, Rebecca Smith, Harshita Mullick, Jonathan Hannam and Louisa Andrews. They described their job functions and what they enjoyed about their placements respectively in IFF (Flavour Technologist), Sensient (Beverage Technologist), JDE (R&D Intern), Premier Foods (Product Development Technologist) and Mars (Quality Assurance Technologist).  The students all confirmed that they had enhanced their skills in communication, time keeping, organisation and working with others.  Moreover, they all agreed that their confidence levels had greatly improved during their employment.

After several questions from the audience, the evening concluded with a buffet, during which there was informal networking. By the volume of noise, it seemed that everyone was enjoying the occasion.

The South Eastern Branch would like to thank all the students and staff who helped to make this a very successful evening.  

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