NALISHA SHARES HER INTERN EXPERIENCE

This summer, we welcomed an intern to the Silsoe Odours team, Nalisha Parmar. Nalisha joined us from the University of East Anglia, where she completed a BSc in Environmental Earth Sciences. Nalisha wanted to experience the field of environmental odour control and management first-hand. Here, she tells us more about her experience with Silsoe Odours.

WHAT LED YOU TO SILSOE ODOURS?

Nalisha participating in an Odour Sensitivity Test

When I completed my final university lectures, I began searching for an internship for the summer. I primarily wanted to gain experience in the environmental consultancy sector. I found the Silsoe Odours internship on the UEA Careers website. Not knowing much about the landscape of environmental odour control and management, I found the job title intriguing.

In May, I travelled to Bedfordshire to interview with the team. They were all friendly and welcoming and explained more about the role. Finally, I got to participate in an odour sensitivity test. This assessed whether I would be suitable to work as an odour panellist, measured according to the European odour standard BSEN13725. The test established my individual odour threshold estimate is 22 parts per billion. Importantly, this is within the acceptable range for a panellist.

After spending the day with the team and getting to grips with life as an odour consultant, I decided Silsoe Odours would be a great place to spend the summer.

WHAT DID YOU GET UP TO?

First of all, I spent time familiarising myself with Silsoe Odours and its various procedures and documents. In particular, I focused on report content and writing styles because part of my role involved proof-reading reports. Likewise, I also made sure I was up to speed on odour guidance such as the European Standard BSEN13725, and IAQM regulations.

The laboratory team, Jill Liddle & Paddy Schofield, showed me the ins and outs of the odour laboratory. Through the course of the summer I learnt how to pre-dilute and measure H₂S concentrations in the odour samples, operate the olfactometer and computer programmes and organise the panellists. Jill also showed me how to prepare and make the Nalophan ‘odour bags’ which we use to collect samples.

In addition I got the chance to participate in fieldwork, accompanying Robert, James and Victoria on various sites. I participated in odour sampling and sniff surveys. I visited sites including waste water, rendering, waste transfer/recycling, oil works and chicken farms. On one occasion we needed to take an odour sample from a 15m high stack.  It wasn’t an easy task but became a very memorable experience! I was taken aback by the difficulty in climbing the stack, because I misjudging the height while watching James swiftly climb the ladder. The hardest part of the task was climbing back down – I decided heights were probably not my forte.

NALISHA IN ACTION

Here’s a snapshot of Nalisha and the Silsoe Odours team in action over the summer.

WHAT DID YOU GAIN FROM THE EXPERIENCE?

Working at Silsoe Odours has allowed me to gain and develop new skills. I particularly improved my report writing and analytical skills. I also grew my multi-tasking abilities by dealing with multiple projects and deadlines.

Furthermore, my time at Silsoe Odours has given me the opportunity to gain experience in environmental odour control and management. It has reinforced that I would like to pursue a career in environmental consultancy. I really enjoy the mix of fieldwork, office-based elements and the ability to work with clients.

Overall, my time at Silsoe Odours opened up a whole area of environmental consultancy for me that I knew very little about. In fact, it’s led me directly to my new role at RSK as a Graduate Air Quality Consultant, which I will be starting in October.

AND SHE’S OFF!

There’s only one way to say farewell properly. Cake, of course. In Nalisha’s case, vegan cake!

In an excellent example of serendipity, Victoria prepared this delightfully lemony drizzle cake, while Nalisha has treated us all to chocolate and bakewell tart cupcakes. Probably a good day to pop along to the lab and say hello!

Nalisha has certainly made a great contribution at Silsoe Odours. We have loved having her on the team. So for now, we would like to wish her every success in her future career at RSK. Good luck Nalisha!

ENVIRONMENTAL ODOUR CONTROL

Finally, please get in touch if you would like to talk to us about any aspect of environmental odour control or odour monitoring. Whether you have an odour challenge we can help with or are interested in joining the team, we would love to hear from you. In the first instance, you can reach the team on 01525 860222. Alternatively, click the button below. You can also follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with the Silsoe Odours team.

Updated 29th April 2021