Engineer Emma Robinson loves being on Nestlé’s graduate scheme – and all that chocolate isn’t even the best part
Image: Nestlé)
“People don’t always think engineering is creative, but it really is,” says Emma Robinson, who joined Nestlé’s graduate scheme last September. “We’re drawing things, we’re thinking about big ideas – it’s really exciting. We’re the people who figure out how to make ‘that thing’ a reality.”
Emma is currently based at the Nestlé Product Technology Centre in York – the company’s global research and development centre for confectionery, where the team come up with new product and process innovations working on brands such as KitKat.
“I design and create bespoke equipment for our factories,” the 24-year-old explains. “My work is mainly in chocolate. And yes, there are lots of opportunities to eat chocolate!”
Offered in a range of sectors, from engineering and technical leadership, to sales and HR, Nestlé’s graduate schemes last two years and give candidates the chance to experience different roles across the business.
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“I’m moving to Nestlé’s centre in Buxton after this to work on water,” says Emma. “I’m really excited as experience in different products will help make me a better engineer.”
Inspired by her love of chemistry in school, Emma completed a master’s degree in chemical engineering. She was then drawn to Nestlé’s graduate scheme as it would, she says, “develop me and not leave me in the corner”.
The global company offers opportunities in different categories and even the chance to work abroad.
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“My days are really varied,” Emma says. “Some days I might be working in the pilot plant, helping the other engineers in my team with a trial. Other times, I might be designing something on our in-house 3D modelling software, or even making a new process and instrumentation diagram. It’s really motivating to see how far I’ve come in just the past 10 months.”
While the scope of the work has helped Emma to develop new skills fast, she’s adamant that her progress is ultimately down to the people she’s working with.
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“I don’t think I’d know a fraction of what I’ve learnt without having a manager who really cares about developing me,” she says. “It’s a really supportive environment. A lot of the people in my team have helped me and coached me. I’m always encouraged to ask questions – there’s no shame in not knowing.”
While Emma’s focus is gaining knowledge, successfully completing the scheme and landing a permanent job at Nestlé, she’s also got an eye on the future of her sector.
“I do a lot of outreach in schools encouraging young girls to be inspired by what we’re doing here with chocolate – it’s really interesting.”
As for what she likes best about being part of the Nestlé team – in what is surely a testament to the company’s work culture, it’s not the endless supply of chocolate. It is, she says, “Having that collaboration between different people in the building.
“Being able to work on lots of different products and then seeing them on the shelves is really, really exciting.”
