Earlier this year, we set out to build a network of Ambassadors to help IFST in our mission to promote the ‘voice of the food profession’ by ‘sharing knowledge, being independent, promoting professional development and encouraging new entrants to the sector as an exciting worthwhile and aspirational career path’.
The role of our Ambassadors is to:
- Assist and promote IFST at events such as Big Bang, IFST Spring Conference and IFST Lecture…
- Attend and contribute to IFST Committees
- Act as an Ambassador in their workplace/University
- Contribute to our Food Science & Technology magazine, giving valuable experience in writing for non-academic publication, an important skill in an industrial setting
- And more……
We were overwhelmed with the interest in this 18-month role having opened it up to young professionals and overseas members as well as students this year. The Judges were equally impressed with the calibre of candidates.
We are delighted to announce that our 2018 IFST Ambassadors are Andrew Dockerill and Qudsiyah Raza. They will be helping us to develop our young professional activities. Find out more about them below.
Thanks for taking the time to speak to us! Tell us briefly about your current role.
AD: I graduated in 2016 from Sheffield Hallam University and am working at Bakkavor as an AMS Process Technologist
QR: I graduated from Nottingham University in 2017 and am currently a Product Development Technologist at Unilever
What made you apply to become an IFST Ambassador?
AD: Previously I have been involved with the IFST volunteering at Big Bang Fairs, Ecotrophelia and the IFST Spring Conferences. I think this is another great opportunity to get people involved and excited about working in food, whilst hopefully creating a strong network for all new entrants into the industry.
QR: I applied to become an IFST ambassador because I am interested in helping students and new professionals find opportunities and keep up-to-date with the food industry. Throughout my industrial placement year, the IFST helped me to reflect and develop at work which made me realise I wanted a career in food. I hope to encourage individuals with a similar experience to benefit from joining the IFST, especially in placements where there are no formal assessments. The IFST offers a range of opportunities for members to develop such as taking part in various events and competitions, as well as building key connections for work or further education. Also, as a Nutrition graduate keen on developing in the food industry, I applied to become an ambassador because I want to encourage a diverse range of science backgrounds as well as Food Science to join, particularly those who want to plan a career in the food industry.
How important is it at this stage of your career to be a member of an organisation like IFST?
AD: IFST provides me with great networking and fantastic knowledge resources. The Spring Conference is always a fantastic example of both of these aspects, with industry leaders giving fantastic seminars on pioneering areas and has even led to me achieving employment.
QR: I am a recent graduate working in Product Development, so it’s very important to get involved early to build expert connections and have awareness of the latest trends. I am in the initial process of applying my education and gaining skills, so the IFST’s CPD is helping me to develop my professional 
skills at work and gain further accreditation. Also, I find the IFST provides a brilliant platform for actively contributing towards discussions and conferences to explore innovation. I find it is important to start early in having your opinions heard, as we will be the future of food industry.
It’s an 18-month role, what do you hope to achieve in your time as an Ambassador?
AD: I hope to build a tighter network between Young Professionals entering the industry who leave University and spread all regions of the food industry and also bridge the gap between Young Professionals and those more experienced in this profession, with the fantastic advice they are often enthusiastic to offer. It would be great to maintain a higher percentage of graduates as members and again, with the new professional members after the subsidisation period ends.
QR: In the next 18 months, I hope to promote what the IFST can offer students from a diverse range of science backgrounds at universities and events. I will be involved in student launchpads, organising conferences, and lectures. Here, I hope to connect with young professionals and encourage them to develop in working towards gaining accredited IFST titles such as Registered Scientist.
Tell us something about yourself
AD: In my spare time I play a lot of sport, particularly Cricket and Flag Football- a non contact version of American Football, where I currently play for London and play in the British National League and tournaments across Europe.
QR: As well as working in the food industry, I am an activist keen to bring positive change in communities. My most recent social action project called ‘PensionPals’ was established to reduce isolation in Nottingham’s older population suffering from Dementia, and disconnection with younger people.