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
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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