Careers

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
• State 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.

Federal Government

• Clinical Dietetics
• Nutrition Education and Teaching
• Administration
• Research

Employers

• Army
• Navy
• Air Force
• NASA (National Aeronautics & Space Administration)
• US Public Health Service: Indian Health Service, Food & Drug Administration, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control, Bureau of Health Care and Delivery, National Institutes of Health
• US Department of Agriculture: WIC (Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children)
• Veterans Administration Hospitals
• Peace Corps and VISTA

Strategies

• Learn federal government application procedures
• Earn a Master's degree for advancement in research or administration
• Pursue internships in government agencies
• Maintain a strong grade point average

Consulting

• Diet Counseling
• Education and Programming
• Writing

Employers

• Private practice
• Physicians' offices
• Weight loss clinics
• Nursing homes
• Health clubs and spas
• Restaurants
• Catering services
• Food manufacturers
• Sports teams
• Health-related magazines and Internet sites
• Newspapers

Strategies

• Gain experience and expertise in a specialty area of nutrition
• Earn additional certifications in fields such as fitness or athletic training
• Find a need in the community and fill it
• An entrepreneurial spirit is required!
• Be prepared to work in several areas at one time
• Develop excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Learn how to promote oneself

Teaching

• Teaching
• Research

Employers

• Colleges and universities
• Community and technical schools
• Nursing, medical, and dental schools
• Teaching hospitals
• Medical centers
• Government agencies
• Food and pharmaceutical companies

Strategies

• Earn a master's degree for instructor positions or a doctorate for tenure track professorships
• Earn a graduate degree for advancement in research positions
• Gain research experience by assisting professors
• Develop strong communication skill

Industry

• Research
• Product Development
• Sensory Evaluation
• Quality Assurance
• Marketing
• Sales
• Customer Service
• Consumer Food Science

Employers

• Food manufacturers
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Health-related businesses
• Weight loss programs
• Restaurant and hotel chains
• Public relations firms with food industry accounts

Strategies

• Supplement curriculum with courses in business administration, marketing, or advertising
• Develop strong written and verbal communication skills
• Gain computer expertise
• Seek leadership roles in campus organizations

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.

Clinical

• Clinical Nutrition

Employers

• Hospitals
• Home health providers
• Nursing homes
• Residential care centers
• Dialysis centers
• Diabetes care clinics
• Exercise and fitness centers

Strategies

Volunteer in hospitals or nursing homes to gain experience working with patients or the elderly. Plan to earn the Hospital Registered Dietitian credential. Several years experience and possibly a graduate degree are required for specialties such as pediatrics, gerontology, sports, or critical care.

Community and Public Health Nutrition

• Health Promotion
• Education
• Program Planning and Implementation
• Administration
• Nutritional Counseling
• Consultation

Employers

• Public and home health agencies
• Social service agencies
• Community centers
• Residential care centers
• Federal, state, and local government
• Daycare centers
• Health and recreation clubs
• Health maintenance organizations (HMO's)

Strategies

• Gain extensive clinical experience before pursuing public health
• Earn a master's degree for more opportunities
• Seek experiences in the public health arena
• Learn government application procedures
• Develop strong presentation and public speaking skills
• Learn to work well with all types of people

Food Service Management

• Menu Planning
• Budgeting
• Purchasing
• Food Preparation
• Personnel Management

Employers

• Hospitals
• Schools
• Colleges and universities
• Company cafeterias
• Correctional facilities
• Camps
• Restaurants
• Hotels

Strategies

• Gain extensive clinical experience before pursuing public health
• Earn a master's degree for more opportunities
• Seek experiences in the public health arena
• Learn government application procedures
• Develop strong presentation and public speaking skills
• Learn to work well with all types of people

Other Professions

• Child Nutritionist
• Comparison Shopper
• Consumer Advocate
• Cookbook Writer
• Dietary Specialist
• Food Critic
• Food Reporter
• Food Stylist
• Food Technologist
• Nutritionist
• Product Analyst
• Program Coordinator
• Project Manager
• Quality Control Specialist
• Researcher
• Sports Nutritionist
• Wellness Consultant