Food science is a highly rewarding profession, with job satisfaction rates that are higher than most other occupations. If you're looking for a career that offers competitive salaries and the potential to gain admission to graduate school or find a job shortly after graduating, food science could be the perfect choice for you. To maximize your chances of success, it's important to tailor your work experience to the type of position you're interested in. For instance, if you want to become a food technologist, quality manager, or product developer, you should look for jobs at a food manufacturing company or retailer.
Alternatively, if you're interested in pursuing a nutritional pathway, try to gain experience in a healthcare or public health setting. Technical service providers and government departments responsible for developing food policy and compliance processes also offer employment opportunities. The food industry is incredibly diverse, with thousands of different jobs available. As more people become aware of the work that goes on behind the scenes of the food supply, I believe that food science will continue to grow in popularity.
If you're considering a career in food science, it's important to think carefully about the risks associated with earning a degree in chemistry or microbiology in today's job market. If food science doesn't work out for you, transitioning into another field may be easier if you return to school and obtain an additional degree in food science or one of the fundamental laboratory sciences. For those who already have a degree in chemistry or microbiology, obtaining an additional degree in food science may be difficult but not impossible. It can also be beneficial as it provides greater opportunities and better general orientation towards the profession; plus, it will make you eligible for membership with the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).Finally, there are also jobs available in local authorities and regulatory bodies such as food safety inspection and analysis.
