What can I do with this degree?
FOOD SCIENCE

AREAS

BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY
  • Quality Assurance
  • Food Safety
  • Quality Inspection
  • Process Inspection
  • Production Management
  • New Food/Flavor Chemistry
  • Sensory Evaluation
  • Applied Food Research: Preserving, Processing, Packaging, Storing, Delivering
  • Sales
  • Marketing
  • Consumer Education
EMPLOYERS
  • Food processing plants
  • Food manufacturing plants
  • Food ingredient suppliers
  • Food equipment suppliers
  • Container manufacturers
  • Large retail chains, e.g. Starbucks, Target
  • Feed companies
  • Dairy, beef, or hog farms
  • Federal government including:
    - Food and Drug Administration
    - Department of Agriculture
  • Sate governments
STRATEGIES
  • Earn a minor in business or agribusiness
  • Become adept using computers
  • Take courses in statistics
  • 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
  • Earn a graduate degree for advanced opportunities in research or management
  • Demonstrate creativity and curiosity for positions in product or flavor development.
SCIENCE
  • Basic Research
  • Food Microbiology/Food Chemistry
  • Product Development
  • Food Engineering
  • Food Safety
  • Quality Inspection
  • Quality Assurance
  • Process Inspection
EMPLOYERS
  • Federal government including:
    - Food and Drug Administration
    - Department of Agriculture
    - Environmental Protection Agency
  • State governments
  • Food processing plants
  • Food manufacturing plants
  • Food ingredient suppliers
  • Food equipment suppliers
  • Quality-control laboratories
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Universities and colleges
STRATEGIES
  • Join the Institute of Food Technologists to learn more about the field and for networking opportunities
  • Gain related experience through internships
  • Assist a professor with research to gain laboratory experience
  • Take additional courses in the sciences. Become highly detail oriented
  • Participate in research paper competitions sponsored by professional associations
  • Research apprentice membership in the Society of Flavor Chemists if that is an area of interest
  • Obtain a graduate degree to reach higher levels of research and administration
  • A doctoral degree is required for university teaching.
PRE-PROFESSIONAL
  • Medicine
  • Pharmacy
  • Dentistry
  • Veterinary Sciences
  • Other Healthcare Fields
EMPLOYERS
  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Private or group practice
  • Health networks
  • Nursing homes
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Mental health institutions
  • Federal, state, & local health departments
  • Government agencies
  • 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
  • Research admissions requirements for individual programs
  • Maintain a high grade point average and prepare for required entrance exams
  • Secure strong personal recommendations from faculty
  • Gain exposure to field of interest through volunteering, part-time and summer jobs, or internships
  • Research accredited institutions
  • Check graduation rates, success rates on licensing exams, cost, location, etc.
  • If possible, speak with current students
  • Develop back-up career plans in case admission is denied.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • 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 PhD. is required for university teaching.
  • A high percentage of food scientists work for local, state or federal government. Learn government application procedures.
  • Learn to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Develop strong communication skills both written and oral. 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 already in your desired field regarding their backgrounds. Arrange a shadowing experience.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2006) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer