Thirsty for opportunity

This summer, senior Isabelle Millan was a Product Excellence Scientist Intern for the Unilever Health & Wellbeing Collective, which includes brands such as Olly gummy vitamins and Liquid IV.  Read more about Isabelle’s summer experience.

What did your job entail? 

As a Research & Development intern, I conducted stability experiments supporting the Liquid IV brand. My team focused on the global expansion of the product, launching Liquid IV in multiple countries with different climates. This requires ensuring the stability of the product regardless of external conditions. I worked in the lab to assess physical and chemical changes of raw materials and blends under specific temperatures/humidities to determine the root cause of stability issues.

Why did you choose to pursue this opportunity? 

I have been interested in two industries - pharmaceuticals and consumer products. Last summer, I had the opportunity to intern at Merck, so this summer I wanted to try something new. Before looking for a full time job, I wanted to know which industries are right for me.

What was the most interesting part of the job? 

The most interesting part of the job was meeting people from many different cross-functional teams, and learning how all these groups interact to bring products to market. Another perk was that since Unilever owns so many ice cream brands (Ben & Jerry's, Breyers, Popsicle), we were able to have free ice cream whenever we wanted!

How will you apply what you learned this summer as you proceed with your studies in Materials Science & Engineering? 

Working at a consumer centered company has taught me to more carefully consider the consumer experience with various products. I will use this perspective going into my senior year, especially with my additional major in Biomedical Engineering, to be more aware of the interaction between materials and people. I also gained valuable lab skills and experimental design skills that will be important in my final year as an undergraduate.