Laura Malhi
My Graduate Story
My name is Laura Malhi, and I completed both a Chemical Engineering MEng & Formulation Engineering PhD at the University of Birmingham.
I currently work as an Associate Principal Engineer with Mondelez International, focusing on chocolate research and development. My role involves working on several well-known chocolate brands such as Toblerone, Green & Blacks, Cadbury, and Milka. I collaborate with teams across multiple factories in Europe to launch new products, overseeing everything from planning and writing documents to commissioning new products and processes at the factory level. As a leader, I also support my team to ensure they successfully deliver their own projects.
A Day in my Life
I can either be planning for new product launches with meetings and writing documents with colleagues across the factories around the Europe, or I am at the factory commissioning the new product or process. As a leader in my team, I also support my team to deliver their own projects.
My Journey to Mondelez International
I went straight into a dream job, working in a process engineering team in Unilever making and innovating new shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste and deodorants. This allowed me to learn quickly how large corporate companies invent new processes or formulations and then go through the journey of getting to the supermarket shelf.
My next job was in Mondelez, though working in a similar area. Since then I have moved around research and development getting different experiences to give me confidence to progress into managing larger and more complex projects or portfolios of technical work.
My Birmingham Experience
My Chemical Engineering degree gave me a fantastic technical understanding to ensure that I always think thoroughly about scientific or engineering problems. This often means that I solve the problems quicker and with a good understanding of the root cause of the problem to prevent seeing the problem again.
I loved that the course talked a lot about practical examples of food, pharmaceutical and formulated goods and then applied the theoretical concepts onto this. It really helps with bringing engineering concepts into real world problems = an essential for a good chemical engineer.
Birmingham's Impact
I loved the careers fairs that the university hosted as it allowed me to see the breadth of companies and career opportunities available. When I started to apply for roles, I was thrilled that the network could help me sharpen up my CV and covering letter.
I received a scholarship each year because my parents combined income was below a certain threshold. This funding really helped me to pay my bills and focus on my studies, rather than have to get an intensive part time job.
My Achievements
My course, personally, gave me confidence that I can be a good engineer. I learnt academic principals that I now enjoy revisiting and applying to chocolate manufacturing processes.
Advice for Students
Think! What are your strengths? Before you do anything have a think about what your strengths are and what interests you. This will give you the best chance of choosing a good first job that you should excel in, and maybe even a career that you'll love too!