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Maia Larks

Food Technology and Product Development

So, Maia, what drew you to ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ?

What drew me to Harper Adams was the range of modules the course offered across the food industry — it felt really different to anything else I’d seen. I knew I wanted to be part of the food sector, and this course gave me the chance to explore lots of different areas and figure out what I enjoyed most.

I visited on an Open Day, and the campus had such a bright, refreshing feel — the sunny weather definitely helped! The course felt really hands-on, which I liked, and the smaller class sizes made a big difference — it meant more support and a better learning environment all round.

And then what came next, where did you go thanks to your studies?

I did my placement year at Village Bakery in Wrexham, working as part of their New Product Development team. It was a great experience and gave me a real insight into what it’s like to work in the food industry day-to-day.

I learned so much — not just about the technical side of developing new products, but also about working with different teams, managing deadlines, and understanding how ideas go from concept to the supermarket shelf. It definitely helped build my confidence and showed me how the skills from my course apply in a real working environment.

What you learned here at Harper Adams set you up well, then?

During my placement, I was able to put parts of the modules I’d studied into practice and get involved in different areas of the work. It was really useful to see how what I’d learned in lectures could be applied in a real business setting.

I’m hoping to carry on in new product development after I graduate — it’s something I’ve really enjoyed and want to keep building on.

That’s great Maia! Any final advice?

My only advice would be, make sure the course is the right fit for you, and take the time to really appreciate the unique modules on offer — they go by faster than you think!