Food engineering involves using technology to develop food packaging, processes, and machinery, improving food production, and ensuring food security. A high school education with science and math courses is necessary, and a bachelor’s degree in food technology, microbiology, or engineering is common. A graduate degree can expand career options. Experience in the food industry is helpful but not always necessary. Internships and part-time jobs can provide valuable experience.
A career in food engineering means using technology to develop food packaging, processes or machinery; supervising food packaging and storage; improve food production; or working to ensure and improve food security. Typically, you will need a high school education and a history of science and math courses to enter a degree program related to preparing for this career. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required for some jobs in this field, with food technology, microbiology or engineering among the most common majors. Getting a graduate degree can expand your career options, however. Also, some experience in the food industry can be helpful when you apply for this job, but it’s not always necessary.
In most cases, you’ll need a high school diploma to get into food engineering, although a General Educational Development (GED) diploma is also suitable. The courses you take in high school will help you prepare for college, and your grades will likely help you gain acceptance into the college of your choice. There are some courses, however, that can be particularly helpful in preparing for this career. They include courses in biology, chemistry and physics. Advanced math courses are also often important.
A college education is usually required when you want to get into food engineering, and you’ll likely need to earn at least a bachelor’s degree. The most common degree programs include food technology, microbiology and engineering. For example, if you want to work in a career that involves direct contact with food, you might choose to pursue a degree in food technology. To work with food safety and biological aspects of food production, you might choose a microbiology degree. An engineering degree might be a good choice if machinery used in food production interests you more than other aspects.
A bachelor’s degree is often an adequate credential to start a career in food engineering. You may, however, find that you have more opportunities for employment and promotion with the company that hires you if you obtain a graduate degree. For example, you might be hired as an engineering manager or project engineer with a bachelor’s degree, but many employers prefer a graduate-level degree if you want to become a director of product development or project engineering manager. of chemical processes. A master’s degree usually opens the door to more opportunities, but you can have more opportunities with a doctorate.
You probably won’t need experience to land an entry-level food engineering job, but many employers expect you to gain extensive experience before applying for jobs with more responsibility and higher pay. To increase your chances of landing the job you want when you finish college, you may want to participate in a related internship either before or after you graduate from college. You can also seek experience in the food industry through a part-time job. For example, working in a restaurant kitchen or in a food production factory can give you a little bit of experience that helps you land your first job.
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