Dhruv Jain
by Dhruv Jain, MSc in Food Production Management graduate
Hailing from the Indian city of Bangalore, my long-standing love for exploring various culinary experiences and understanding the science behind their creation was the force leading me to my master’s at the University of Nottingham.
While at the university, I had the privilege of serving various roles of leadership including international student ambassador and senior course representative. I also signed up for for the Part-Time Jobs, Vacation Jobs and Volunteering module of the Nottingham Advantage Award (NAA) to solidify my experience by having it etched onto my degree certificate.
Why did I choose the module?
I was immediately drawn to the flexibility the module offered. The fact that I could engage in part-time work and manage to achieve the worked hours across two semesters is something I found quite attractive.
What sweetened the deal even further was being allowed to combine up to two different roles to fulfil the eligibility criteria.
Pursuing a master’s degree, especially as an international student can be quite the task. The module proved to be the perfect way to add meaning to the part-time roles served while at the university. The module’s flexibility tied up wonderfully with the nature of work, giving me the freedom to work around my academics while being able to strengthen my portfolio.
What did I learn?
The module provided a great opportunity to identify key areas of personal development through the roles served, while also helping explore areas for further improvement.
Putting together slides towards the presentation was a learning opportunity, giving me a chance to look back at the work done and draw important conclusions. The feedback received was objective, constructive, and hence greatly helpful.
I learnt the significance of documenting every bit of detail and realised the importance of being a good listener. Paying attention to and understanding what my fellow module presenter had to share broadened my perspective, proving to be rather insightful. Signing up for the module is hence greatly recommended in my opinion.
Future career
As someone drawn to the food industry, I intend to further my career within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) space.
Now, this industry commands a whole array of professionals from various technical qualifications – manufacturing, supply chain, quality assurance and packaging.
Regardless of one’s academic or technical background, the skills developed and honed through part-time roles can certainly help boost one’s professional portfolio. Transferable skills such as team leadership, communication, and time management are great additions to anyone whether in industry or the corporate realm.
The NAA takes it a step further by allowing one to validate those skills via the degree certificate, adding a layer of credibility to your application or your profile in general.
What I wish I’d have known earlier
We are allowed to enrol in a maximum of two modules per year of study at the university. This initially felt like a restriction that wouldn’t have allowed me to make the most of my time while my period of study (or so I’d thought).
However, after taking a step back and giving it some thought, I soon realised being able to complete one module successfully would be quite the feat, let alone two modules.
I am happy I opted for one module, and that is my little piece of advice for you today. I would highly recommend you choose one module and focus your efforts in doing complete justice to it. This is a better approach over selecting two and having to juggle between them, potentially diluting your time and energy.
A closing piece of advice
As a master’s student there is a good chance you are here for at least a year. It is natural to want to get the most out of your time while at the university.
This is where the NAA fits in nicely. It is a great way to add quality and credibility to your CV while also allowing you to explore and hone crucial skills. These could be technical or soft transferable skills such as leadership and communication.
Before choosing a module ensure you have thoroughly understood what it entails and how you would be assessed.Gauge the level of commitment the module would demand from you.
Think about your future career. Ask yourself:
- How would this module tie in with my academic qualifications?
- Do I need to develop technical skills that I may currently be lacking in?
- Would it be best to further strengthen my expertise in a field I have already been associated with?
Play your cards judiciously and that Nottingham advantage is all yours. Wishing you the very best in all your future endeavours.
Discover more about the Nottingham Advantage Award and the different modules on offer. If you have any questions, contact the NAA team by email.
Posted on Tuesday 9th December 2025