Rose Pridmore

What is your current role? When did you join your company?

My currently job role is with Cranswick as Group Health & Safety (H&S) Graduate, I joined the company in April 2023.

What is your degree? Where did you study?

My degree title is BSc (Hons) in Safety and Environmental Management (with the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health – NEBOSH), I studied part time for 4 years at the University of Hull.

When do you first become interested in Food Science/H&S in the Food Industry?

I have always been interested in Food Science and the food industry, at college I decided to undertake diplomas in Hospitality and Catering for 3 years. I originally wanted to become a chef whilst at college, as time went by, I wanted to become a food inspector. The college gave minimal advice i.e.to go to Leeds Beckett University for three  full years and I would have a job at the end, this information was given during my second year of college.

Going to university full time was not an option for me. I did not want to leave with the student debts and the burden throughout my life. So I looked for alternatives. I found that the University of Hull did the part time degree, including the NEBOSH Occupational Health and Safety Diploma, and the NEBOSH Environmental Management Diploma, which I thought was a similar fit to what I wanted to do.

To apply for university, I had to gain the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, which I did during my third, and final year of college. I found a love for H&S when undertaking the Certificate. I then started at University in September 2018.

 Did you have a particular teacher that inspired you to go into food science? What was their name and what was the school?

I personally did not have a particular teacher or lecturer; cooking was always a passion of mine from a young age.

Did you have a career goal in mind when you applied for University?

When I applied for University, I had the career goal of becoming a H&S Officer within a business. I ended up working part time in a petrol station kitchen whilst doing the first 2 years of university. I then took a one year break during the COVID-19 pandemic as it was too difficult to learn to the standard I wanted to over Zoom. When I went back in September 2021 I was working for a flower company as a H&S Auditor. Within a year I had moved to become H&S Officer.

 What made you apply to your company after graduation?

I applied to Cranswick (the company I now work for) prior to graduation. The previous job role had uncertainties about progression and did not meet my learning and development needs. Cranswick enables me to have, e.g. learning from other H&S professionals, compared to another job role. The Graduate Scheme was also a bonus, I was interested in individual growth and how to become a better leader, manager, team member and overall colleague.

 What does your job involve?  Is it fun, interesting?

My job involves ensuring sites across the UK are compliant with legal and other standards. It enables me to travel and meet people who have extensive knowledge within  H&S and the food industry. I am able to continually improve the company through review and creating standards at a group level, then auditing the sites to ensure compliance with group standards. I have been able to develop programmes that most people at site level may not be able to do.

 What are your long-term career plans?

My future career plans continue to change as I develop as a H&S professional.

I have learned that needs and requirements from a job change, and that is okay to move on when it no longer fits my needs.

 What advice would you give to someone thinking about Food Science/food industry as a career?

It is a very fast-paced environment, there are a lot of learning and developing opportunities, as well as meeting experienced people in your chosen field. There are amazing opportunities for personal growth and improvement.

Graduate Schemes are great for individuals who are interested in Food Science and the food industry as you are given the opportunity to work with different departments to find the next career steps.