Lindsey Weymouth

Responsibilities

During my R&D Product Insights internship, I wrote reports, attended and hosted sensory tests, and really learned about consumers. My internship mostly revolved around sensory science and work on duties that come along with it. I went to a lot of cuttings, oversaw consumer panels, and even got to attend a Descriptive Analysis Panel. I also got to work on a little bit of recipe development, but mostly in an effort to spark some new ideas and explore what all that product insights had to offer. I also had the opportunity to shadow a few microbiology lab and chemistry lab tasks.

Accomplishments

During my internship I got to learn a lot of new sensory tests. My greatest accomplishment was working on my own project and with that carry out my own cutting, and bring together a descriptive analysis panel. I just felt accomplished to put together and use the toolbox and the sensory tests. The internship just helped me to come out of my shell and I got new experiences and received a lot of help and support from my coworkers.

Learning experience

I learned that it is okay to go out of your comfort zone and do what you enjoy. I really wanted to come out of my shell and put in as much as I could into my internship experience, and pushing myself to learn and ask questions. I pushed myself to learn all of the different tasks in product insights. At first it felt out of comfort zone to be in a new kitchen helping on a project that was more recipe involved. However by showing initiative, I had my coworkers pushing and supporting me to take on new projects and helping where needed. This helped me out, as I ended up learning a lot and felt more comfortable in the workplace. By taking initiative to get out of my comfort zone, I found it easy to ask for help, and like I had a place on my team and in the R&D department. It was very fulfilling.

What advice would you give?

My advice would be to push yourself in your internship or career, as well as learn in your role, rather than to take it at face value. I felt it was super fulfilling to really push and immerse myself in my role, as I wanted to make the most of my time over the summer. I thought of my internship of a learning experience rather than a job. This made me excited as I anticipated what new things I would learn and do. I think that it is very important to push yourself as well. I pushed myself constantly which really helped me learn.