2019 Aspire Prize for Personal Development winner: Courteney Mee

During the first six months of her placement, Courtenay, BSc (Hons) Agri-Business, attended HAS University of Applied Science, Netherlands, studying Food Business and worked on a global market entry plan for a new product in conjunction with a multinational dairy company.

For the remainder of her placement, Courtenay worked at Monte Creek Winery, Canada as a Tasting Room Associate. 

Her duties included providing wine tasting, discussing wine pairings, varietals and tasting notes as well as organising and representing Monte Creek at off-site events such as wine festivals and supermarket tastings. Courtenay was shortlisted for the finals of the 2019 Tourism Kamloops BOLD Hospitality Award in the Food & Beverage category.

As well as helping with time management and organisational skills the experiences from her placements have helped her to decide on her career path.

Courtenay said: “I worked in the Netherlands for six months and then spent six months in Canada working at a winery. My placement has made me more confident for the future and enjoyed my placement year because it let me apply my skills to the real world as I progressed through University.”

Find out more about the 2019 Placement Awards here.