College of Science
Audrey Smyth
BSc
Many students joke that they spend their time at university testing the relative quality of different pints! Audrey Smyth has made a science career out of this practice! She works for Guinness Brewery in their quality assurance laboratory, analysing beer for colour, gas levels, alcohol levels and of course, taste.
Audrey says her B.Sc. in Industrial Biochemistry prepared her well for her work with Guinness Brewery, in particular the laboratory experience she gained at UL. She undertook her Cooperative Education placement with International Flavours & Fragrance (IFF) in Drogheda, Co Louth, a company that manufactures flavours and fragrances used in many products. During her placement with IFF she worked both in the quality assurance laboratory and in product development, where she was able to develop skills in lab work and more importantly how to deal with people.
In Audrey's final year, she applied for a graduate position with Guinness. Following a thorough selection process she was offered a job before sitting her final exams. In her first two years of work, Audrey worked in the quality assurance laboratory, analysing the beer and ensuring its quality. During this time she attended several management courses that gave her greater insight into managing a business. Soon after, she moved to the fermentation section where she now works as a shift operations manager. Her new position provides her with technical experience as well as the opportunity to put her management skills into practice. Audrey finds her new position as brewing shift manager both responsible and challenging. She rates her job satisfaction as high, not to mention the pride she takes in ensuring the punters enjoy a pint of the 'black stuff'!
"I chose UL because of all the good reviews I heard about the Cooperative Education placements and the high level of graduate employment".