How to Become a Food Technologist

People who work as food technologists have a host of opportunities available to them. They work in labs as scientists for major corporations, testing their new products or developing new technologies. The one thing they have in common is that they all attended college to study food science. If this is the career path you’re hoping to follow, you should gain as much experience as you can early on.

Instructions

1. Attend college and complete a degree in food science. There are many schools currently offering this degree, both in the U.S. and in other countries. The degree teaches you everything you need to know about food science, and some schools will even offer you help on finding a job once you’re done.

2. Select your specialty early on, as soon as you possibly can, once you begin attending school. You may not realize that food technologists have specialties, but they do. Some work on the creation of food, while others concentrate on its design or storage. You may find it easier to pick your specialty after you’ve taken a few college classes.

3. Expand your coursework to include a wide variety of science classes. Many people working in food technology are actually scientists, and that means experience in science is mandatory. Take a few additional science courses outside your requirements to show future employers your knowledge.

4. Work in the food-service industry for a few years, either during high school or college, to increase your experience. While you may think fast food or working in a cafeteria is nothing at all like your future career, there are some similarities. It also shows employers that you’ve worked around food in the past and learned through real-life experiences, outside of the classroom.

5. Apply for positions as a food technologist. Your college should be able to help you, but you can also look for positions on job boards and in the local newspaper. The more places you apply, the better the odds are that you’ll land a job as a food technologist.

Tips & Warnings

• A number of food technologists are currently working in India. If you’re willing to travel abroad, you’ll see your career options open up tremendously.

• Get your college applications in as early as possible, since most schools only accept a limited number of students into their food technology program every year. If you wait until just before the deadline, you might miss out on a spot.