Research
Common Career Paths
- Applied Research:
- Novel Preservation Methods
- Sustainable Food Processing
- Active and Smart Food Packaging
- Product Development
- Basic Research:
- Food Microbiology and Safety
- Food Chemistry and Quality
- Foods for Health
- Bioactive/Functional Foods for
- Preventing or Treating Diseases
- Food Process Engineering
Employers
- Food Processing Industry
- Food Ingredient Suppliers
- Food Equipment Suppliers
- Packaging Manufacturers
- Consumer Products Companies
- Test kitchens/Food laboratories
- Universities and Research Institutes
- Federal Government:
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Defense
- Federal Government:
- State Government Agencies
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Health
Strategies
- Maintain a good GPA, and become active in undergraduate research to prepare for graduate school.
- Gain relevant experience through internships or volunteer to work in a faculty member’s lab.
- Participate in professional organizations such as the Institute of Food Technologists and seek leadership roles in student section.
- Demonstrate creativity and curiosity when interacting with faculty mentors.
- Obtain a graduate degree to reach higher levels of research and management.
Quality Control
Common Career Paths
- Food Safety
- Quality Inspection
- Quality Assurance
- Process Inspection
- Sensory Evaluation/Analysis
Employers
- Federal Government:
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Department of Defense
- State Government Agencies
- Food Processing Industry
- Food Ingredient Suppliers
- Food Equipment Suppliers
- Consumer Product Companies
- Quality-Control Laboratories
- Test kitchens/Food laboratories
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Universities and Colleges
- Nonprofit Research Organizations (e.g., National Science Foundation International)
Strategies
- Gain related experience through internships.
- Assist a professor with research to gain laboratory and technical skills.
- Take additional courses in the sciences.
- Become highly detail oriented.
- Join the Institute of Food Technologists to learn more about the field and for networking opportunities
- Participate in research paper competitions or summer research programs sponsored by professional associations or government agencies.
- Obtain a graduate degree to reach higher levels of research and administration.
- Maintain a good GPA and secure strong faculty recommendations to prepare for graduate school.
Business
Common Career Paths
- Production Management
- Sales
- Marketing
- Distribution
- Consumer Education
Employers
- Agribusiness: Livestock and Feed
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Equipment and Supply Companies
- Food and Meat Processing Companies
- Food Distributors
- Food Processing Industry
- Food Manufacturing Plants
- Food Ingredient Suppliers
- Food Equipment Suppliers
- Container Manufacturers
- Large Retail Chains (e.g., Starbucks, Target)
- Consumer Products Companies
- Test kitchens/Food laboratories
- Federal Government:
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Defense
- State Government Agencies
Strategies
- Earn a minor in business or agribusiness. Take courses in statistics.
- Become adept using computers.
- Gain relevant experience through internships.
- Participate in student professional organizations and seek leadership roles.
- Compete on a meat or dairy products judging team.
- Join the Institute of Food Technologists to learn more about the field and for networking opportunities.
- Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills. Learn to work well in a team.
- Demonstrate creativity and curiosity for positions in product development.
- Earn a graduate degree for advanced opportunities in research or management.
Education
Common Career Paths
- Teaching
- Agriculture Literacy
- Non-Classroom Education (e.g., Adult Agricultural Education, Young Farmer Extension Programs)
Employers
- Schools (e.g., secondary and post-secondary)
- Extension Services
- Agricultural Agencies
- Agricultural Communications and Media Firms
- Agribusinesses
- Government:
- U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- U.S. National Science Foundation
Strategies
- Develop excellent communication skills including verbal, written, and interpersonal.
- Obtain teacher certification, which varies by state, for public school opportunities.
- Secure master’s degree for teaching at community or two-year institutions; a doctoral degree is necessary for college and university teaching.
- Gain related experience through volunteer positions, summer jobs or internships with age group of interest.
- Seek leadership roles in student organizations.
- Be prepared to live in rural communities for extension positions.
PreProfessional/Healthcare
Common Career Paths
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Optometry
- Podiatry
- Pharmacy
- Veterinary Medicine
- Allied Health:
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Medical Technology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Dietitian
- Nutritionist
Employers
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Private or Group Practice
- Health Networks
- Nursing Homes
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Mental Health Institutions
- Federal, State, and Local Health Departments
- U.S. Government Agencies
- U.S. Armed Services
- Correctional Facilities
- Colleges and Universities
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Retail Pharmacy Chains
- Research Laboratories
- Animal Food Companies
- Zoos
Strategies
- Food science is good preparation for professional graduate programs in pharmacy, veterinary science, dentistry, or medicine because of the strong science background that is developed.
- Maintain a high grade point average, particularly in the sciences, to improve chances of admission to graduate or professional school.
- Research accredited institutions. Check graduation rates, success rates on licensing exams, cost, location, admission requirments, etc.
- Secure strong faculty recommendations.
- Join related student organizations and demonstrate leadership abilities.
- Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically to discuss curricular decisions.
- Seek research experience and participate in undergraduate research competitions.
- Gain exposure to field of interest through volunteering, part-time or summer jobs, or internships etc.
- Speak with current students if possible. Shadow a pharmacist, dentist, physician, etc. to learn more about the occupation.
Getting Started and Advancing in Major
- The food processing industry is one of the largest in the US and throughout the world, so many opportunities exist for students trained in food science.
- A bachelor’s degree is sufficient for some opportunities in applied research and in food processing. Earn a master’s or doctoral degree to conduct basic research. The doctoral degree is required for university teaching. A masters degree is required for work as a occupational therapist, dietitian, and nutritionist.
- A high percentage of food scientists work for local, state, or federal government. Learn government application procedures and gain assistance from your college career center.
- Learn to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Develop strong written and oral communication skills. Also develop analytical skills and an attention to detail.
- Join professional associations and student organizations to stay abreast of current issues in the field and to develop networking contacts. Get involved with the Institute of Food Technologists.
- Talk to professionals in your desired field regarding their backgrounds. Arrange a shadowing experience.
Professional Associations
- American Dairy Science Association
- American Meat Science Association
- American Oil Chemists Society
- Consumer Brands Association
- Institute of Food Technologists
- International Union of Food Science and Technology