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Food scientists create and raise standards for food products, using their educational background to improve food preservation, processing, storage, packaging, and delivery. Depending on the job, a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree may be required, with specialized courses in food chemistry, microbiology, analysis, and engineering. Good communication skills, an understanding of statistics and business principles, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team are important qualities for this career.
It’s important to understand what a food scientist does before anyone can decide if they really want to become one. In general, food scientists work to create and raise standards for food products. They use their educational background to improve the way food is preserved, processed, stored, packaged and even delivered. Sometimes a food scientist may work in the research industry and analyze the vitamin, mineral and chemical composition of foods or even discover or create new foods. At other times, she will work to enforce and maintain government-set regulations, inspect areas where food is processed, and ensure the highest levels of quality and safety standards are met.
Once someone has decided to become a food scientist, they should begin to consider what kind of education and training they need. Typically, the level of education she receives depends on the type of job she wants. For example, earning a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science may be sufficient if the job is focused on developing a product or helping others with research projects. Someone who wants a job where she completes her own research projects or directs others in applied research, however, will likely need to earn a master’s or doctoral degree. Additionally, if an individual wants to teach others about food science at the university level, a Ph.D. is essential.
Again, depending on the type of work someone wanting to become a food scientist might look for, she may be majoring in other fields, such as biology, physics, engineering, or chemistry, and still qualify for a position in that field. While many colleges and universities offer courses that prepare people for a general degree in agricultural science, someone wanting to work in food science may have to look for a college or university that offers specialized courses in the field. For example, food chemistry, food microbiology, food analysis, and food engineering are all important areas of study for anyone wanting to become a food scientist.
It is always a good idea to take a wide range of courses, however, should another job present itself in the agricultural science sector, such as one involving soil science, animal science or plant science. Someone planning to earn a master’s or doctoral degree should expect to complete some field training, laboratory research, and possibly a thesis or paper based on their independent research.
The ability to work as a member of a larger team and alone are important qualities for anyone wanting to become a food scientist. Excellent communication skills and an understanding of statistics and business principles are also useful in the profession. All in all, it can be a rewarding and interesting career.
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