Agrauxine Experts – Eloïse PRETCEILLE

You’re currently on a V.I.E assignment for Agrauxine by Lesaffre in Van Wert (Ohio). What made you choose Agrauxine by Lesaffre for this International Internship experience?

I have always had a strong interest in microorganisms and their various applications in industry. Until now, I had some knowledge on this subject in the Food industry but very little on Agriculture and the crop protection industry. Doing my V.I.E. with Agrauxine by Lesaffre was therefore an opportunity for me to broaden my knowledge and to work in an English-speaking country.

Could you tell us more about your role and your daily missions at Agrauxine by Lesaffre North America?

My role within Agrauxine North America is to be the interface between R&D and production to ensure a successful project handover for a new product launch. On a daily basis, I manage the implementation of pilot production trials for product developments, while ensuring that quality control and safety procedures are followed, until the desired final results are obtained.

What do you like most in your work as a process development engineer?

I like working in workshops with my colleagues to try to find the best solutions to resolve the issues we’re dealing with. I enjoy being part of the challenges that Agrauxine North America faces when transferring product development from R&D to production. I like to feel that my work contributes to the improvement of the company’s process and development. Finally, I aspire to exercise new responsibilities and gain skills.

What has this international experience brought you so far?

This experience abroad makes me grow and take more responsibility and autonomy every day. I have the chance to discover a new environment and people but also a different culture and working methods. Moreover, it allows me to take a step back and better define and understand what I want to do in the future. Finally, it allows me to get out of my comfort zone and that’s what I wanted to do when I went to live abroad.

What would you recommend to someone wanting to apply to a V.I.E within the French International Internship Program?

I would recommend going for it and not being afraid of the challenges or constraints you may face. Do not put yourself barriers because you’re not fluent in the language and don’t be afraid to start working in a new sector and on missions still unfamiliar because you will progress very quickly.

For me, the V.I.E. is the experience of a lifetime, very enriching both personally and professionally.

If this is what you really want to do, don’t lose hope even if the recruitment process is still quite selective, new offers are coming out all the time. Finally, I recommend collecting testimonials from current or former V.I.Es.

Find more about the V.I.E. offers available at Lesaffre International