Quality and Innovation Student Review

I work in quality and innovation at the Leeds Unilever deodorant factory. I plan, communicate and run trials to implement new innovations - for example, new cans and formulations. Additionally, I investigate and ensure quality is maintained on our production, such as investigating quality near misses. I have also been given projects which utilise my chemical engineering background.

Yes - over the course of placement, I gained confidence and trust from other teams to lead projects and trials. I was trained and shadowed work, but was later given freedom to lead and always able to ask questions to support me.

I have developed communication and leadership skills, accepting responsibility and taking charge in work. I have worked across broad and diverse teams which strengthened my team working skills. I have learnt practical skills which is important after studying an industrial engineering degree, which is very different to literature and research.

Good amount - I was lucky that the previous placement student stayed on, and so he could teach me the role, responsibilities and surroundings. My manager was always open and happy to answer my questions.

Factory side culture is hard working and productive, but quite traditional. Work is work and there's not much enrichment opportunities.

Really enjoyed - learnt a lot of technical and industrial skills, as well as really developed my soft skills like communications. Enlightening to see what "work" is like after just studying. Team was always lovely and really enjoyed going into work, even on days when I had lots of responsibility and things to do.

Yes