Krisitn Szlachetka's Report On Her Confectionery Industry Tour

	Kristin Szlachetka, outside Just Born, Inc. in Bethlehem, Pa. where she did a portion of her industrial internship before beginning her fellowship project.

“When I found out that I would be spending my summer visiting different confectionery manufacturers, the word “excited” does not truly explain how I felt. I could not wait to get started. I read a few books to give me a little bit of background information, since my knowledge of the candy industry was limited to my childhood obsession with Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I felt that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, very similar to Charlie’s, the main character of the Willy Wonka story, who found a golden ticket and was allowed to see the “mystic and marvelous surprises (inside the factory) that will entrance, delight, intrigue, astonish, and perplex you beyond measure”. “Aside from that, I was even more interested in what I would be learning. I had never set foot in a confectionery manufacturing facility and was anxious to learn as much as possible.”

“When asked to mention any changes I would make to the internship, the only change I could think of would be to make it longer. I had a great time and learned a lot. I just wish I could have stayed a bit longer”.

“On my whirlwind tour of the confectionery industry, I learned a surprising amount about the industry in general, as well as the specific processes commonly used. Along the way, I made a few general conclusions about the industry. The confectionery industry is almost entirely comprised of happy employees. I could see this by the happy moods, smiling faces, and candidness of each person I met. Also, it was further proven by the length of time most employees spend in the industry. Whether they had been working with the same company for upwards of twenty years, or they were new employees who had matriculated from another confectionery company, each person showed a genuine interest in the candy industry. I think this exuberance on the behalf of the employees influenced the quality of my trip just as much as my desire to learn as much as possible during my short trip. Everyone from the maintenance crews and the machine operators to the researchers and upper management was eager to speak with me and help me get the most out of my visit. I cannot say enough positive things about my trip. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity and will remember it always.”