Year of Young People
The Year of Young People 2018
As we come to the end of the year in the next couple of weeks, we should celebrate what a fantastic year it has been for the Scottish Government's #YOYP2018 and how it has highlighted the fantastic young people in our beautiful country. We have throughout the year got a couple of our young employees to write a bit about themselves and shared it on social media, so we thought we would recap here.
Greg Montgomery
Name & Job Title
Greg Montgomery, Commercial Assistant
When did you start with Scottish Shellfish?
The 1st May 2017
What you love best about your job?
Colleagues and Thursday morning taste panel!
What your education or experience journey has been?
Education – UWS Paisley BA (Hons) Business, International School of Management, Munich (ISM) International Management Studies.
What do you feel has really helped your career?
People & Opportunities
What do you feel could be better for young people to achieve their chosen career path?
I don’t know, opportunities are always there for young people it’s about having the attitude, persistence and patience aligned to the career you want.
Did you know this year is the year of the young people?
Absolutely no idea.
Carla Mackin
Name & Job Title
Carla Mackin, New Product Development (NPD) Technologist
When did you start with Scottish Shellfish?
I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work as an intern in the Technical Department from May 2017 during my summer break from University. As a result, I was offered a graduate full-time position as New Product Development (NPD) Technologist in July 2017.
What you love best about your job?
I love working with our suppliers and retailers to develop high-quality products that are valued by the consumer. I feel very proud when I see a product myself and the rest of team have developed and managed displayed on the shelves in supermarkets which are consumed by thousands of people.
What your education or experience journey has been?
I almost at the end of 4th year of my BSC Honours Degree in Food Bioscience.
What do you feel has really helped your career?
The opportunity to work with Scottish Shellfish as an intern during the summer has given me invaluable experience to the Food Industry. I was able to use the knowledge and skills that I have learned at Uni put them into practice at Scottish Shellfish. I strongly believe experience leads to opportunities.
What do you feel could be better for young people to achieve their chosen career path?
Providing young people with the opportunity and support to develop transferable skills based on their passion and drives that can help them find jobs or set them on a career path they will enjoy.
Did you know this year is the year of the young people?
No.
Sarah Evans
Name & Job Title
Sarah Evans, Aquaculture and Procurement Technologist
When did you start with Scottish Shellfish?
September 2017
What you love best about your job?
I love working in an industry with a low environmental impact. I’m learning a lot and have great support from everyone in my team.
What your education or experience journey has been?
I did a BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology followed by an MSc in Aquatic Food Security, both at the University of Stirling.
What do you feel has really helped your career?
Getting involved with sports clubs at uni really boosted my confidence and gave me a lot of transferable skills. The Aquaculture Students Association also put on a careers day at the institute. That’s where I first heard of this job and then sent in my CV.
What do you feel could be better for young people to achieve their chosen career path?
With university degrees I think it would be good for there to be a bigger emphasis on practical experience and engagement with industry. That being said I think there are a lot of opportunities out there, ensuring they are accessable to all young people should be a priority.
Did you know this year is the year of the young people?
I saw the profile of other young colleagues at Scottish Shellfish but otherwise wasn’t aware.
For more information on the Year of Young people you can visit the Scottish Government website by clicking here.
