Career Opportunities

The sheer size and diversity of the food industry in this country, and the need for food professionals in developing countries, make it possible for an individual to find employment in a wide variety of satisfying areas. Some typical areas in which an individual with a B.S. degree in Food Science might work are:

  • Research and Development—investigating scientific principles of food products.
  • Product Development—developing new food products or improving the quality and/or safety of existing products.
  • Technical Sales—serving the food industry with technical knowledge of raw materials, ingredients, and technology for the manufacture of specific food products.
  • Quality and Manufacturing—analyzing components of food products and monitoring the finished product for conformity with company and government standards.
  • International—helping citizens of developing nations improve their food handling and storage procedures through various agencies such as the World Health Organization.
  • Regulation—developing policy and enforcing food sanitation and labeling regulations as part of federal and state regulatory agencies.
  • Management—organizing and operating small to medium size food processing companies.

An advanced degree, M.S. or Ph.D., allows for even broader opportunities in basic research and/or teaching in industry, government, or various private and public institutions of higher learning.