Flavour Discovery Intern Review

This is a discovery role where I worked at the intersection of flavour chemistry, consumer psychology, and sensory science to understand how we perceive taste and aroma. This discovery is part of forming enabling technologies and methods for future business needs - so it is very exciting and innovative. Really the cutting edge of flavour science.
A large part of my role was leading an independent 1-year study to do with sweeteners. The type of work I did on a day to day basis includes:
Learning and sharing flavour science fundamental knowledge
Designing experiments and conducting lab research
Delivering into flavour chemistry, sensory science, and scientific regulation workstreams
Identifying novel flavour concepts and category fit
Processing data and conducting statistical analysis
Placement activities

A lot!! With guidance, I completed: a year-long independently led project, a 1-month innovation challenge, first technical poster presentation, presenting to internal stakeholders, being part of team strategy and planning sessions, facilitating and hosting events for the internal team (including our Christmas party) as well as compiling cultural comms for the wider team.
I was given a lot of space to explore my ideas and choose a large part of the direction of my project.

Yes.
Existing skills: bringing people together through teambuilding or rapport building, networking, presentations, commercial awareness, confidence in the workplace, new product development, self-awareness, leading large groups, presenting to diverse audiences
New skills: Knowledge (patents, tobacco industry, scientific/food regulation, commercial scalability, flavour chemistry, sensory methods, statistics (MFA and PCA)); poster making on powerpoint; working with small amounts on analytical balances; project management; MOPD (methods of product development); project lifecycle management systems; BioRender visuals; adapting to change in the work place; concept development; Business skills

There was a lot of support offered by many people.
Placement Team: PT is quite large and always open to supporting or guiding as needed. You are assigned a specific point of contact from that team (PT buddy), which I advise setting monthly meetings with! The PT also asks for your personal objectives for the year and will assign you a mentor that they feel aligns with these goals (these goals/objectives do not have to be strictly role-related).
Flavour Discovery Team: I was assigned a buddy in my team to help show me around and understand team culture. I also had a line manager who provided a great deal of support and guidance. This team is currently small, but its a friendly tight knit team that will help you whenever you ask :)
Outside of Team: Flavour Discovery has big connections with the Flavour department, who you will work close with - the team can help you learn what you need and are very approachable.
I also managed to make relationships cross-functionally, which provided myself with guidance.
This includes the other interns, my personal mentor, colleagues and social groups within BAT.
Overall, I felt supported and guided the majority of the time. Unfortunately, I had one situation where I asked a PT member for guidance and support on a time-sensitive issue, but despite raising it early and requesting a meeting, I received delayed and inconsistent information. This impacted my ability to work on a key deliverable and left me feeling disadvantaged and demotivated. While disappointing, this was an isolated case, almost all of my other interactions with the PT and other colleagues were positive and genuinely supportive.

Very diverse, welcoming, friendly, approachable, understanding BUT can have waves of "very busy" and "REALLY busy" which you can feel a bit of stress from many through the atmosphere

Most challenging yet most rewarding period of my life. Very good company to work for, you will learn a lot more about people and science than you ever will about a cigarette hahaha - come in with an open mind! I worked on projects linked to harm reduction while still relating to my degree (food science) which made this placement resonate with me.
I did not really enjoy the city of Southampton overall, but there are hidden gems and loads of beautiful scenery around :)

Yes