Students who have chosen the CREAM option not only have specialised in milk production, gained management and business experience (whilst still retaining a practical focus) but also have had the chance to travel the world during their work experience year. Therefore by the end of their studies, students have been very well equipped to enter any sector within the agri-food industry.

The following are a selection of past students who are now working in various roles within the industry.

James Coulter, (BSc. 2002) now successfully runs his own business, specialising in feeding equipment

"CREAM was for me a unique and unrivalled educational experience which taught me a lot about management. I found it of enormous benefit being involved in a practical project alongside an academic programme. ‘Learning by doing’ is certainly the best way to learn. CREAM also allowed for the development of all the attributes needed for todays job market. Team building skills, time management, communication skills, and the daily challenges of running CREAM are all easily transferable into other industries. Having such skills certainly increase your career prospects since you not only have the ability to run a dairy herd but also can manage any business inside or outside of agriculture."

Andrew Sayers (BSc. 2003) now heads up the formulations team within Devenish Nutrition

"CREAM helped me develop confidence in relating to industry leaders through Advisory Board meetings. I now fully understand the level of professionalism and accuracy needed when addressing customers, Devenish nutritionists and other industry representatives."

Michael McDonald (HND, 2000) currently works for Almarai Dairies in Saudi Arabia

"I am currently Assistant Farm Manager on a 10,000 cow dairy in Saudi with a rolling herd average of over 12,000 litres per cow per year. My work with the CREAM herd inspired my interest in high genetic high yielding dairy cows. Supervisory skills developed in CREAM are invaluable when managing staff to meet strict targets.

Andrew Dale (HND. 2001; BSc. 2002) is currently completing a PhD within the dairy unit of the Agricultural Research Institute, Hillsborough

"My involvement with CREAM certainly improved my presentation skills and provided me with a very solid basis on which to further my career within the NI agricultural sector."

John McCormick (HND, 2004) currently manages the Hiltara herd of pedigree Holsteins near Bangor in partnership with his father

"I really enjoyed my time at Greenmount and it has equipped me well to manage high yielding Holstein cows. I also received a £1000 travel bursary from John Thompson and Sons Ltd. which enabled me to broaden my horizons in Canada."

After completion of the HND course at Greenmount, the experience students gain from CREAM and their year out is an asset to them in the future.