Added: Over a year ago by Fujifilm
The opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience in an innovative industry drew chemistry degree student Jordan Taylor to FUJIFILM Ink Solutions Group in Broadstairs for his placement year.
“I’d been applying for placements throughout the academic year, and the Fujifilm application came late in the day. But I knew the name because my dad did photography, and I felt it was an exciting and positive opportunity. The people at Fujifilm made it a great placement. There’s a lot of investment in the students and a welcoming atmosphere.”
Fujifilm develops and manufactures inkjet, screen and flexo ink technologies at Broadstairs, where Jordan joined the Dispersions team on a 12-month industrial placement in 2021. He was one of four students in the first full year of the company’s scheme since a successful trial during the pandemic.
Although Broadstairs is far from Jordan’s home in Scotland, he liked the idea of trying something new and exciting in the seaside town. He says: “I didn’t have an opportunity to spend time on ink development at university because it’s a niche area. But once I was here, I thought, of course there’s chemistry in this!”
Jordan expected to be solely in the laboratory developing dispersions (the colourant within an ink). However, Fujifilm is a global brand that combines technology with resources and ideas and encourages students to gain broader hands-on experiences.
As Jordan’s supportive mentor, Dispersions Section Head Dolores Caras-Quintero connected him with different departments at Broadstairs and other people at Fujifilm sites. She invited him to meetings with colleagues in Japan, asking him his opinion and giving him confidence.
In a further demonstration of trust, Dolores gave Jordan an exciting high-priority project to manage – resolving jetting issues in ink for a specific printhead and developing new equipment. She gave him access to expensive industrial techniques, including dynamic light scattering, laser diffraction particle size analysis, and rheology measurements.
Jordan says: “It’s been an excellent experience. I’ve been trusted to work on things independently, benefit myself and the company, and release the skills I came in with. I did not realise how much exciting chemistry took place within inks and, where I might not expect to find it, there’s a lot of interesting chemistry happening and to learn about.”
Dolores believes Jordan’s attitude maximised his experience. She says: “Jordan came from university with a can-do attitude. He brought fresh ideas, talent and skills and gave something back by teaching us the latest theories at university. I enjoyed seeing him develop and working with an enthusiastic and energetic person keen to put learning into practice.”
R&D Section Head Gemma Osborne, who joined Fujifilm as a graduate 12 years ago, also believes being open to different opportunities makes an industrial placement a success. She says: “Technical experience is important but being friendly, positive and having a great attitude makes a big impression.”
Jordan’s next step is to finish his final year at university. Still, he leaves Fujifilm with a positive impression of the company’s support.
He says: “One of the things I most enjoyed was the opportunity it has given me to grow and learn in a professional environment that I had not experienced before. I got to see what the future would look like working in the chemical industry and among a team of people who have been incredibly friendly and supportive.”
