I have just completed my third week on the Science and Technology graduate scheme based at the Global Science Centre (GSC) at Reading. In such a short period of time I have learnt an enormous amount about the production of chocolate and the food industry. I joined this scheme with a degree in Chemistry and some work experience in the financial sector. I was hoping for a career that would allow me to use my science knowledge whilst having a strong link with the commercial world and I have not been disappointed!
Initially the job appeared quite daunting given my lack of experience in this sector. However the great thing about this scheme is the flexibility and I quickly found that my line manager was very supportive in terms of training needs. The emphasis is very much on you to drive your career and if you do so you will be supported every step of the way.
At the GSC we work on longer-term projects to improve the company's products and processes through the application of the latest technology and ingredients. From my first day I have been assigned to a selection of projects, keeping my job very varied, and been given responsibility for my own individual sections. I have been involved in all the key project meetings which has given me a great feel for the overall goals of each project, as well as raising my profile within the business. The working environment is very conducive to innovation and freethinking with people encouraging me to offer my own opinions on the best way to approach tasks and design my particular experiments, which makes me feel like a valued member of the team.
In terms of culture, the business is very welcoming and I have been assigned a line manager, mentor and buddy to help me settle in and manage my ambitions and expectations of the graduate scheme. Given this support and the wide variety of opportunities available to me, within S&T, other business functions and locations at home and abroad, the future looks very exciting.
Comments are forwarded to the author and those that we think will be useful to other readers will be posted on the site.