Chemistry fragrance apprentice Review

My role involves communicating with external fragrance suppliers in order to get samples sent through as quickly as possible. Once I have received samples, I book them in for evaluations and either carry out a hand or machine wash to compare these samples against the current product. Once I have evaluated. I set up calls with the suppliers to discuss my feedback and the next steps in order to push the project forward and get the new fragrance locked as soon as possible in order to get the maximum savings possible for the company.

I have developed my communication and organisational skills whilst working in this role. This is due to multiple calls a week with internal and external teams. Also having the ability to manage university work as well as Unilever work effectively. I have also developed new skills on how to assess fragrance to an expert standard in order to provide cohesive and beneficial feedback to the fragrance suppliers.

I think the programme is brilliant. With being in the Laundry Fragrance team this year, I feel like I have really made a difference with saving millions of euros for the company on fragrances in home care products. I feel like I have been treated like a full member of the team and not just an apprentice and have been given the opportunity and responsibility of managing my own project has been extremely rewarding

I think it is structured well for myself. When I joined my team, I had a project laid out straight away which seemed like it was organised very well. There has always been a good structure there for where I will be working, however this has lacked slightly for my rotation this year but I think this is due to reorganisation in the homecare department so it is harder to find a job role suitable for me.

From the apprentice coordinator, not very much. However, if I ever have a problem, I can go to her with no hesitation. I think it is down to how busy she is in her own role and so if I don't ask her for any help/information then she assumes that I am ok.

I don't have a designated training advisor. However, I failed my first university exam this year and I do feel like I have been supported well since I received the results. Not just from one person but multiple people within Unilever have come up to me and offered support by giving me old University books and have said to never hesitate in putting some time in their diaries if there is something I am unsure of. I feel like I have zero support from the University directly. I think they manage the apprenticeship scheme very poorly.

At the moment, I do not feel that my qualification benefits me in my role within the company at all. Especially because my role as a fragrance apprentice is more business orientated and specialised instead of formulation wise which requires a good knowledge of chemistry in order to know how each component contributes to the formulation.

I do not take part in any activities at work. This is due to me being very busy both in my role and at University. However, I think it would be a good thing to try and start up as the company offers such great activites and it would be a shame to waste the opportunity

Yes

Unilever is a very friendly environment and offers great opportunities, especially for young people as the lists of what teams you can experience and working your way up to a higher level is endless. Even though I have only been within Unilever for 2 years, I have learnt so much and feel like I have developed into a better version of myself

Make sure you research into the company to understand their ethics and what they are trying to achieve through the majority of their projects. If you believe in the same views the company has then the job is for you. In your interview, just be yourself and make sure you have a passion for the work that you are applying for.