The value of work experience

After recent correspondence on both CatererSearch.com and in Caterer (18 May) from catering companies and universities about the number of students planning a career with contract caterers, I thought I would tell you about my experience.

I am a hospitality student at the University of Plymouth and will be going into my final year in September. I have just finished a one-year work placement with Sodexho Prestige as part of my sandwich degree and had an absolutely amazing experience.

Sodexho Prestige came to the university and did a presentation about the type of work placements it offered. I had not considered a placement with a contract caterer before this point, but I was interested as I had previously worked in the restaurant and hotel industry and wanted to try something different.

I was given the opportunity to work as an event supervisor and helped to organise and manage events. Students such as myself do not normally get to experience management at this stage of our degree. I was even given the wonderful opportunity of managing a marquee dinner at the Chelsea Flower Show.

My point is that I have done a work placement for a contract caterer and had an amazing experience, supported and encouraged by the university. The experience I had would not have been possible without the university's contacts and their support throughout the year.

Emma Boucher, Ivybridge, Plymouth

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