With 2025 fast approaching, there’s no better time to start thinking about your career aspirations. If there’s a sector you know want to work in but don’t know where to begin, the THRIVE Mentoring Scheme is an excellent way to help you get on the right track. Read Food Science and Nutritionist student Emma’s inspiring story and learn how her experience with THRIVE helped her secure a placement year at a major food company!
Emma’s Story
The application process was made much smoother and less daunting thanks to the support and guidance from my THRIVE Mentor.”
As a final year BSc Food Science and Nutrition student, I am extremely thankful for my THRIVE Mentoring experience from my second year studying at the University of Reading. Utilising this programme greatly assisted me in securing my recent placement year with a large international food company.
I was lucky enough to form a mentoring partnership with an industry professional from my placement company, who provided me with insights into new product development roles within the food sector. I found out more about her line of work via discussions of daily tasks, responsibilities and previous opportunities.
All of this accelerated my aspirations to find future vacancies in this area while helping me clarify my career direction. Therefore, when I found out that this company was hiring for undergraduate internships, I knew I had to apply!
The application process was made much smoother and less daunting thanks to the support and guidance from my THRIVE Mentor. They provided me with constructive feedback and valuable advice to integrate into my submissions and interviews. Applying for an industrial training year can be a stressful time, but with my mentor’s support I found that I could go into the application stages with more confidence. I also found that this one-to-one support enabled me to improve my transferrable skills that I will take with me in future applications and my career.
I will always be an advocate for the THRIVE Mentoring Scheme due to my successful experience with it. I would strongly recommend it to other students who are looking to broaden their career prospects and find potential opportunities.
If you want to learn more about the THRIVE Mentoring Scheme, register your interest on our website or contact the team on mentoring@reading.ac.uk.
Author: Emma, BSc Food Science and Nutritionist student