Science and Technology Blogs
Welcome to our Science and Technology graduate blog page!
Feel free to post comments and come back to share more experiences with our science & technology graduates.
First 'Proper' Job
Posted by Michelle on 29 Oct 08
It has been 6 months since I graduated from the S&T Scheme and my first 'proper' job is definitely keeping me entertained!! The training and diversity of experiences I received from being on the graduate scheme have allowed me to get off to a flying start in my new role as a Chocolate Moulded Commercialisation Senior Technologist (what a mouth full!). I have been given really stretching projects that have allowed me to really show what I can do! I recently got my biggest challenge yet by becoming a manager of a new graduate in the department. It is early days yet but I feel really lucky that I have been given this opportunity at this stage of my career. It is definitely a bit scary and it is really weird someone asking me if they can go home and book holiday - but at the same time I think its brilliant to manage a graduate as it wasn't so long ago that I was one, so I know what they need from a manager and also how to help them get the most out of their experience :0)
Return from Oz
Posted by Joe Todman on 08 Jul 08
I’m now entering my 3rd year on the Cadbury S&T graduate scheme having just returned from a 12 month placement in Australia.
My current role is within Innovation Planning in our London office (in the moulded chocolate category). I represent S&T, particularly during the start-up process of a project, in scoping and assessing project ideas and feasibility. I use the technical experience I have gathered in my last 2 roles to advise, input and manage product development projects from an S&T perspective – working closely with the marketing team. And of course working in combination with all of my S&T colleagues based in Bournville (and other sites across Europe).
This role is giving me greater insight into and experience of the commercial side of the business. It’s much more of desk and meetings environment compared to life as a product developer – but you feel much in the thick of the decision making process on projects.
My experience as a food technologist in Australia vastly widened my experience in product development – I was responsible for developing Boost Totally Nuts, launched in March this year http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIyecYuyrow - which, due to excellent execution by the sales and marketing team (and not a bad tasting product!), became the number 1 selling medium chocolate bar in Australia in it’s first week in the market.
I’m now using many of the skills I developed and my contacts in the Australia and New Zealand business in global product development projects.
Just the beginning...
Posted by Adele on 26 Sep 07
I have recently joined the company as a Science and Technology graduate and have been assigned my role within the candy development team situated in Bournville. My background is in Food Science having graduated from The University of Leeds with a Food Studies and Nutrition Bsc in July. I applied for the job before I graduated and began the extensive application process (as with any graduate job!)
I would advise anyone considering applying for the role to do your research. This will give you an idea about the qualities required from you in order for you to be successful. It will also help to confirm if this is the place for you. The application process was the usual interview and then assessment centre and although I was nervous I found, to my surprise, that for such a big company everyone I came into contact with could not have been nicer. From the interview to the assessment centre there was a relaxed informal atmosphere, which encourages you to be yourself and brings out your best possible qualities.
I was made aware that I had got the Science and Technology Graduate job in June and (after a few holidays over the summer) started work in September. Now, I am into my second week and am very excited to see what the future at Cadbury has in store for me.
Mmmm... chocolate
Posted by Phil on 26 Sep 07
I have just finished the third meeting this week that has involved tasting various chocolate samples to evaluate and feedback on their aspects of taste, texture and flavour. As a chocolate lover it really is the best perk of the job, I'm just glad I get to burn off the extra calories playing football during lunchtimes!
In the mix
Posted by Michelle on 24 Sep 07
For my last placement on the S&T graduate scheme I have opted for a cross-functional move to manufacturing. My new role is a mix of process engineering (so proposing and leading activities to improve plant performance) and team leading (running the shift, plant and people, to ensure we hit our production schedules) on Cadbury UK's biggest chocolate plant investment in decades.
We produce unthinkable quantities of lovely Cadbury Dairy Milk, Turkish Delight and, my favourite, Cadbury Caramel! I was keen to pursue a role in manufacturing as I wanted to experience the heart of Cadbury as well as broadening my technical knowledge. Also a key skill within S&T is forming effective relationships with our business partners, manufacturing being one, so being able to see first hand what the function is all about will be invaluable in my future endeavours in S&T.
So far I am really enjoying it here - there is a constant buzz around the factory and also plenty to keep me occupied! The people here have been very welcoming and they are all a great asset to this company - working feverishly to ensure the nation has it's fix of Cadbury's!
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