Food engineers create new, healthier food products, improve preservation and packaging techniques, and study food content to create better additives. A bachelor’s degree in food science or a related field is required, with some pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees for higher positions or teaching opportunities. High school students can prepare by taking biology, chemistry, and math courses. Business-related courses can also help job seekers stand out. Advanced degrees may lead to management positions, higher salaries, research, or teaching opportunities.
Some food engineers work to create new, healthier food products, while others work to improve preservation, packaging, or delivery techniques. Engineers can also study food content and work to create better food additives. A person who wants to become a food engineer usually starts with a bachelor’s degree in food science or a related field. Others may pursue master’s or doctoral degrees in hopes of securing positions of greater responsibility or with a desire for more opportunity to advance later in their careers. Also, a person who wants to become a food engineer might consider an advanced degree if they want to teach at a college or university. Food engineers can often find employment in food processing plants, government agencies and universities.
The first step to becoming a food engineer is to earn a high school diploma. While attending high school, a prospective food engineer can take courses in biology, chemistry, and anatomy to prepare for the job they will have to do in college. Taking advanced math courses can also help an aspiring food engineer be well prepared for college-level work. If a person does not have a high school diploma, they can obtain a General Educational Development (GED) diploma or its equivalent in preparation for college. Most colleges and universities are willing to accept these credentials.
In college, a person who wants to become a food engineer typically majors in food science. An aspiring food engineer might also look for a degree in a related field, such as life sciences or agriculture. Among the science courses a person can take while pursuing this degree are engineering, microbiology, and physics. He will likely take courses in chemistry, food analysis, and food engineering. Often food science specialists also require the study of food chemistry, food processing and statistics.
Although food engineering is a scientific field, a person who wants to become a food engineer can benefit from some business-related courses as well. Companies that produce food may value job seekers who understand business operations. As such, taking a business course or two can help an aspiring food engineer stand out compared to other job seekers.
Some people apply for food engineering jobs right after they graduate from college, but others choose to make a longer educational investment. A person who has earned a Master’s or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in that field may have a better chance of securing a management position, which may also include higher salaries. Likewise, a person may need an advanced degree if they want to conduct research or teach at a college or university. A master’s degree may be enough to start teaching at the college level, but those who want consideration for tenured positions often need a doctorate. degrees.
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