Food Research Scientist Review
at Unilever
Degree Apprenticeship
Science
Sharnbrook
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
4.6 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
I analyse the different properties of ice cream such as it's microstructure. I organise trials in the on site pilot plant to make new ice cream samples on a bigger scale. I attend business meetings with marketeers to discuss how the new ice cream we have created will affect the market.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I fully enjoy me programme. The main reason for this is that each year you get the opportunity to rotate to another part of the business which allows you to get a full view of what happens in the different categories of your company, making it much easier for you to decide what job you would like to go into after your apprenticeship has finished.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learnt the science behind creating ice cream and what components are needed to create each brand of ice cream. I have learnt how to speak professionally to marketeers and other external visitors. With balancing both university and work, I have learnt how to organise/balance my time efficiently.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is very well organised, with rotations to a different part of the business each year to be able to get experience in all categories of your company. The projects you are chosen to work on are very well organised as they're specifically chosen to enable you experience all aspects of the category you are in.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive more than enough support towards my employer. My manager and the apprenticeship leader are always there to help and support you, whether that is a small issue with a work project or university work struggles. I can also go to people within my company to talk about career development opportunities.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I receive lots of great support from my employer to support me with my degree. I get one day a week dedicated to university work only. If the university work is becoming too much for me, my company is very flexible with work projects to help me manage my work.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
As a result of doing a degree in food science, it has allowed me to gain the knowledge of different food products within my company to make me a better team member. Also, it has allowed me to learn how the food industry works and what opportunities I could take in the future.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There a many extra-curricular activities that I can get involved in at my workplace such as: football, netball, cricket, yoga, rugby etc. There is also a great apprentice community that I am involved in, we organise trips to the cinema and organise bingo nights and many outdoors activities in the summer.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Unilever to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Working for Unilever is great in terms of its brilliant flexibility, it's purpose and it is always thinking of what they can do next to help the environment within their products. It also has a great employee community, everyone always wants to help and support you, you never feel alone.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Unilever?
It is important to Unilever that everyone has a purpose, in most interviews they ask you what your purpose is. If you like a friendly community with fast pace work then you will enjoy Unilever. If you are applying for a degree apprenticeship please prepare to have some very busy periods of time between both work and university work.
