Student LaunchPad 2022 - University of Reading

Launch your career in the food sector. Learn more about graduate careers, meet professionals working in the food sector and gain skills to improve your CV and interview technique.

Mentor List

Meet the mentors here

Programme
10:00 – 10:30 Arrival and registration - tea and coffee
10:30 – 10:45 Welcome and introduction to the day
Dr Afroditi Chatzifragkou and Dr M.Jose Oruna-Concha - University of Reading
Natasha Medhurst - Senior Scientific Affairs Manager, Institute of Food Science & Technology
10:45 – 11:05 Opportunities in the food sector
Ben King, R&D Technologist, Tata Consumer Products
11:05 – 11:40 Interactive group exercise - session led by Natasha Medhurst
Small group activity focussing on job roles and skills
11:40 – 12:00 Break 
12:00 – 12:20 Early career perspective
Alexandra McCann, Development Technologist, Product and Ingredient Innovation team, RSSL
12:20 – 12:35 Standing out from the crowd - a recruitment perspective
James Wilkins – Managing Director, CPA Recruitment
12:35 – 14:00 Food sector mentor’s lunch - see separate sheet
14:00 – 15:15 Tour of RSSL & University of Reading*
15:15 – 15:25 Introduction to IFST - including competitions, awards, events
Alice Nield, NPD Technologist, Finsbury Food Group
15:25 – 15:30 Ongoing support and closing remarks
Natasha Medhurst

*Tour of Mondelez/ RSSL or University of Reading facilities

On your badge you will have been allocated Tour A, B or C where you will visit one of the following:

Tour A: Functional Ingredients, Commercial Food Sales, Product and Ingredient Innovation

Tour B: Microscopy, Metals, Investigative Analysis

Tour C: Nutrition, Cognition, GI models and Microbiology, Food technology, processing, Sensory and Flavour Chemistry
 

Mentors Lunch: (12.35 – 14.00)

A special thanks to the following mentors who have kindly agreed to host lunch on the following tables:

Mentor Table Subject
Table 1 - Susie Crabbe
Product and Sustainability Manager
BOL
Working for a food manufacturer
Table 2 - Hannah Pettit
Technical Manager
Ella's Kitchen
Working in food safety 
Table 3 - Sam Jennings
Director
Berry Ottaway
Working in regulation/food law
Table 4 - Megan Pattinson and Katherine Lucey
Nutrition Assistant Team Manager, Analysis Assistant Team Manager
Lidl
 Working in retail
Table 5 - Alice Nield
NPD Technologist
Finsbury Food Group
Working in NPD
Table 6 - Dr Sophie Hardy
Regulated Products Engagement & Partnerships Coordinator
FSA
Working in regulation
Table 7 - Alexandra McCann
Development Technologist, Product and Ingredient Innovation team
RSSL
Working in research
Table 8 - Ben King
R & D Technologist
Tata Consumer Products
Working in R&D
Table 9 - Adam Scott
Senior Technician in the Functional Ingredients team
RSSL
Working in research
Table 10 - Cara Deane
Food Technologist
M&S
Working in retail
Table 11 - Stephen Micallef
Senior Supplier Technical Manager
Collectiv Food
Working for a small food organisation
Table 12 - Jessica Stansfield (ANutr)
Junior Nutrition Manager
Huel
Working in food science & nutrition
Table 13 - James Wilkins
Managing Director
CPA Recruitment
What employers are looking for
IFST Student Pack

  

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