FSC - Careers in Food Science Microlesson

Careers in Food Science

Quick Glance: Do You Want to be a Food Scientist?

Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it” – Julia Child

If you have been interested in what you are learning so far, you might be well suited to pursue a career as a Food Scientist or a Food Technologist. Employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2014 to 2024. The employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to grow as research into agricultural production methods and techniques continues. There are many different career choices for those that seek this path. That is what makes this career field so diverse and dynamic.

Explore

Agricultural and Food Scientists typically do the following:

• Conduct research and experiments to improve the productivity and sustainability of field crops and farm animals

• Create new food products and develop new and better ways to process, package, and deliver them
• Study the composition of soil as it relates to plant growth, and research ways to improve it
• Communicate research findings to the scientific community, food producers, and the public
• Travel between facilities to oversee the implementation of new projects

 

Food Scientists

A taster for a new Coke product, how about a new flavor profile for ice cream, creating a new sauce for a ketchup company: what do these have in common? Well, many of these individuals started as a Food Scientist or Technologist.

A Food Scientist  studies the physical, microbiological, and chemical makeup of food. This means that a Food Scientist deals with all things food. Successful Farming  magazine revealed that a recent survey of college job placement officers listed Food Scientist in the 10 top career choices for many graduates. Many Food Science graduates obtain careers in food production and processing, quality assurance and control, technical representation in the sale and marketing of foods, food product development, food science research, and regulation and enforcement of food laws. The need for trained Food Scientists has grown at a steady pace with consumer demands for convenient, safe, and nutritious food and beverages.

Watch the video below to learn more about what it means to be a food scientist.

  

A Day in the Life

The day in the life of a Food Scientist or Technologist may never be the same. Depending on the path the technician takes will dictate the day.

Check out these two different scenarios below.

Ellen F. Bradley: Freelance Food Technologist

 

Amy Rowley & Jeremy Peacock: Graduate Student Teaching Fellows

 

Education and Training for Career Field

Most Food Scientists and Technologists have a 4 years Bachelor’s degree. Some may have a Master’s degree as well which is an additional 1-2 years. A major degree from this field will focus on how food starts from a seed, enters the growth cycle, harvesting and agricultural practices, production and packaging as well as the nutrition and human impact side of the field. Most students will find themselves in lab-based classes where they will practice chemistry but also create and test new foods to the retail market.

 

Challenge

So what do you know about Careers in Food Science? Try the challenge below to test your knowledge.

 

Takeaway: What Is Your Takeaway?

A Food Scientist proves to be a fascinating and interesting profession. With the variety of job and career paths, placement out of college is high. Also, studies show that most Food Scientists have a high level of satisfaction with their job choice. The   national average wage index for 2015 was $48,098.63 for the average American working a full-time job. The chart below shows that most Food Scientists make well above this national average depending on the type of degree which is listed at the top.

 

Click HERE Links to an external site. to access additional lesson resources. 

IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS OR OPENSOURCE