Hannah Whittle – CAFRE Alumni
Hannah Whittle, from Dungannon graduated from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Loughry Campus in June 2019.
What course did you study at CAFRE?
Whilst completing my A-Levels at The Royal School, Dungannon I heard about the food courses at Loughry. When I received my A-Level results I applied to study on the Foundation Degree in Food Nutrition and Health course. It was a two year programme which enabled me to progress on to complete a BSc (Hons) Degree in Food Business Management. Both of the Degree courses are validated by Ulster University and offer a great balance between practical application and theory.
Why did you decide to study at CAFRE?
Through school I developed an interest in food, quickly realising that jobs working with food weren’t just in catering and hospitality. Attending a Grammar School close to Cookstown I had heard about Loughry Campus, but it wasn’t until I attended an Open Day at the CAFRE that I got a real insight into the place. The campus is set in lovely grounds with a long traditional looking avenue as you enter, then wow you turn a corner and you are met with modern buildings. When you enter the buildings you realise that the world at Loughry Campus rotates around food! There’s a Food Technology Centre, Food Innovation Centre, Food Packaging Centre, Science laboratories – really everything and anything that you could imagine needing to work with food – Loughry Campus has it.
What was your first job?
My first experience of work in the food industry was through the industry placement that I completed during my Foundation Degree in Food Nutrition and Health and then again during my Honours Degree course. My work experiences focused on the meat sector working with Moy Park and Dunbia so when I graduated I was lured into the meat industry again.
What is your current job and responsibilities?
I am currently employed on the Graduate Scheme at Linden Foods. The Graduate Scheme is really good as I get to work in a fast-moving business environment and gain loads of experience. The programme will see me working within several departments such as production, sales, planning and technical. The scheme allows us to get involved in products, processes and dealing with customers which helps me develop a wide understanding of the business. I hope that when I complete my training I will secure a management position within Linden Foods.
Do you have a typical working day?
In the food industry you soon learn to think on your feet and adapt to the daily challenges placed in front of you, as no two days are ever the same. I am currently placed in Retail Operations. I am learning how to manage the preparation line, checking quality and developing an understanding of how the business manages key retail client specifications.
What is your fondest memory of your time at CAFRE?
It’s got to be my travel to America. Each year students from across CAFRE are given the opportunity to compete for a bursary to study in the USA as part of their Degree course. I was so lucky to be awarded the opportunity to study at Michigan State University (MSU) during their Fall semester. Wow, what a time that turned out to be! It’s only when you visit America that you start to realise how compact Northern Ireland is. MSU offers a completely different campus experience – it’s a city not a campus! I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the American life, from classes in huge lecture theatres to trips to sports stadiums, it was totally amazing. I would certainly say to any current CAFRE student – if the opportunity of foreign travel is offered to you, snatch it up. My experiences of the American way of life and culture is one I won’t forget in a hurry.
Do you keep in touch with fellow students who were in your class?
Oh yes. During my five years at Loughry I developed great friendships and we try to keep in touch as much as possible. Technology is great, as we seem to have all learnt this year, we can remain virtually connected and keep up to date with what’s happening in each other’s lives.
Would you ever think about going back to CAFRE?
Yes, when I was in final year we had a talk about postgraduate study opportunities that CAFRE offers in conjunction with Queen’s University Belfast. I hope to apply to study part-time on the Master’s in Business for Agri-food and Rural Enterprise course as I feel it would complement my career within Linden Foods.
What advice would you give a school leaver considering study at CAFRE?
All I can say is my experiences of CAFRE were brilliant. From the support you received from lecturers, to the friendliness of all the staff on campus through to the excellent connections CAFRE has with employers – if you study at CAFRE you’ll be on the right path to finding a great career in the agri-food industry