Ed Groves on placement

Ed Groves graduated in 2014 with a BSc (Hons) Agri-food Marketing with Business Studies. He spent his placement year as a Development Engineer with the potato company, Branston Ltd. We caught up with him just before his final exams when he was pleased to have been offered a graduate job as a Harvest Manager with Emmett UK.

Was open day useful when you were considering different universities?

It was brilliant, a great way to integrate with future and current students and fully understand university life. Definitely settled my mind on where I wanted to study and gave a good insight as to what I wanted to study.

Why did you choose to study at Harper Adams? 

It was due to the nature of the University and the people as well as the excellent facilities and placement year.

What were the best things about your course?

The access to information additional to the course tutors and academic staff.

What sort of projects have you been involved in?

An investigation into where efficiency may be lost within the potato supply chain.

What was the social life like?

Awesome, a true character building journey

What did you do in your spare time?

I was a student warden, fully first aid trained, and previously YFC chairman. I enjoyed shooting, skiing, rugby, sailing, and triathlons.

Where did you spend your work placement?

At Branston Ltd, a large potato packer based in central Lincolnshire with sites in the south west and Scotland. I was a Development Engineer, which involved reviewing business processes including grading lines and packing machines and assessing whether upgrades where needed.

What would you do in a typical day?

No day would be the same with a different problem to solve every day.

What were the best things about placement?

The pay, practical learning, and getting industry experience.

Have you been able to use anything you learned on placement in your final year?

Yes, my entire dissertation was based on the Branston factory

Tell us about the job you are going into…

I shall be a Harvest Manager, for Emmetts, in a team of three overseeing a large kale production operation, managing its production and working to improve the efficiency of the crop.

How did you find out about the job?

At the Harper Adams careers fair.

What skills/experience was your future employer looking for?

Aptitude, willingness, eagerness and drive.

What advice do you have for a student interested in a similar career path? 

Stick at it, pursue what you enjoy and tailor that to your learning experience.