Post by Master in Innovation in Food Science and Technology – Michele Ferrero

🎓 FROM THE FERRERO MASTER'S PROGRAM TO THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD In this brief interview, we introduce Mirjana Panic, a graduate of the Master in Innovation in Food Science and Technology – Michele Ferrero. Only a few months after finishing the programme, she has already started her professional journey in an international environment and shares her first work experience, along with her thoughts on the transition from university to the global job market. Through her experience, Iris explains how the Master contributed to her professional growth, helping her develop both technical competencies and soft skills that are fundamental in an international business environment.   JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER COMPLETING THE FERRERO MASTER’S PROGRAM, YOU ARE ALREADY WORKING. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CURRENT COMPANY AND YOUR ROLE? I am currently working at Neoplanta, a company based in Novi Sad, Serbia, and one of the leading meat processing companies in the country. I hold the position of Junior Canned Products Technologist, where I work closely with my colleagues to oversee and control the production process on a daily basis. My responsibilities include monitoring the entire production chain, from raw material intake to the final product released to the market. We produce a wide range of products, such as pâtés, spreads, cold cuts, and ready-to-eat meals.   WHAT SPECIFIC SKILLS DID YOU GAIN FROM THE MASTER’S PROGRAM THAT ARE HELPING YOU IN THIS NEW POSITION? During the Master’s program, I significantly strengthened key professional skills such as responsibility, precision, efficiency, meeting deadlines, and collaborating with people from diverse professional backgrounds. Although I had already developed some of these competencies before, the Michele Ferrero Master’s program helped me elevate them to a much higher level, which is essential for successfully performing my current role. Additionally, the program taught me that differences in language and culture are not barriers when people are working together toward a common goal.   HAS THE MASTER’S PROGRAM CHANGED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON YOUR PROFESSIONAL FUTURE? Yes, definitely. Before joining the Master’s program, I was primarily interested in working in a laboratory environment and pursuing a career in research. However, during and after the program, I realized that working in production, combined with teamwork and dynamic daily challenges, is both highly responsible and genuinely engaging. The Master’s program broadened my professional perspective and helped me understand that I thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments rather than static ones. Today, I am proud to be working in production, applying everything I have learned, and continuing to grow in this field, surrounded by people from different backgrounds who share the same goal - all thanks to the Master’s program, which helped me broaden my perspective and understand what I truly want and enjoy doing.