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Food Science Food Science & &

TechnologyTechnology

Presentation prepared byAlice F. MullisJanuary 2011

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What will I learn about What will I learn about Food Science today?Food Science today?

• What is Food Science and Technology?• Careers in Food Science• Educational Requirements • Internships• Job Market Predictions• Typical Salary

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Have you ever wondered?Have you ever wondered?• If low fat cookies taste

the same as regular ones?

• Or how the flavor of a new food product is chosen?

• Or why packaged ready-to-eat cut fruit stays crisp and does not turn brown?

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Then you might want to Then you might want to check outcheck out

FOOD SCIENCEFOOD SCIENCE as a CAREER.as a CAREER.

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What is Food Science?What is Food Science?Food Science is an

applied science used to study the:

• nature of foods

• causes of their deterioration

• principles underlying food processing

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What is Food Technology?What is Food Technology?

Food Technology is the application of food science to the:

• selection• preservation• processing• packaging• distribution• use

of safe, nutritious, and wholesome food.

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What does a Food Scientist do?What does a Food Scientist do?A Food Scientist studies the

physical, microbiological, and chemical makeup of food.

Food Scientists may also develop ways to:

- process food- preserve food- package food- store food

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The Myths About Food ScienceThe Myths About Food Science

• Food Science is NOT Home Economics

• Food Science is NOT Only Nutrition

• Food Science is NOT Only Cooking

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Why Food Science?Why Food Science?

The food industry…………….

• is the 2nd largest manufacturing sector

• produces more than $600 billion in retail sales

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There are generally more positions available than graduating students to fill them.

The USDA reports that between 2005 and 2010, universities will not graduate enough people with food, agriculture, and natural resource degrees to meet demand.

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Most Food Science graduates experience 100 percent job placement by graduation or within six months after graduation.

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Why Food Science?Why Food Science?• It is an applied science: You could see the

product you worked on the grocery store shelf.

• It’s fun! Food scientists get to play with their food!

• It’s exciting! Being a Food Scientist is not a boring career. You may work in the lab, in the pilot plant, or travel to different parts of the world.

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Why Food Science?Why Food Science?

In 2008:

• The lowest starting salary was $43,600

• The median salary was $59,520

• The highest salary was $104,520

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What kind of jobs are available?What kind of jobs are available?

CHECK OUT THESE CAREERS

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FOOD SCIENCE RELATED CAREERSFOOD SCIENCE RELATED CAREERS

• Agricultural Engineer

• Agronomist

• Baking Technician

• Biochemist

• Chemical Engineer

• Culinary Scientist

• Dietician

• Farm Product Purchasing Agent

• Farmer

• Flavor Chemist

• Food Scientist

• Food Stylist

• Health Inspector

• Government Agency Administrator

• Microbiologist

• Nutritionist

• Packaging Engineer

• Plant Manager

• Production Inspector

• Research Analyst

• Restaurant Chef

• Quality Assurance

• Technical Writer

• University Professor

• And many more……………..

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JOB PROSPECTSJOB PROSPECTS

• Job growth among food scientists should be faster than the average for all occupations.

• Opportunities are expected to be good over the next decade, particularly in food science and technology.

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15,600

13,400

12,000

12,500

13,000

13,500

14,000

14,500

15,000

15,500

16,000

2008 2018

Year

# Employed

16%

16% JOB GROWTH16% JOB GROWTH is isPREDICTED for FOOD SCIENCEPREDICTED for FOOD SCIENCE

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Where can you work?Where can you work?

• Food processors

• Ingredient manufacturer/suppliers

• Academia

• Self-employed/Consultant

• Government

• Non-government organizations

• Foodservice

• Testing laboratory

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How do you become a food How do you become a food scientist?scientist?

• Attend a college or university with an accredited Food Science Program.

• Attend a college or university with an accredited Food Science Program.

and

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How do you become a food How do you become a food scientist?scientist?

• Participate in INTERSHIPS with companies to gain hands-on experience.

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It is It is your futureyour future. .

Make the most of it.Make the most of it.

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Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos046.htm

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos046.htm#earnings

http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=191012&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=13&search=Go

http://www.career.uga.edu/multimedia/majors_handouts/FoodScience.pdf

http://www.collegegrad.com/salaries/salaries.shtml http://foodscience.psu.edu/futurestudents/alumni-testimonials

http://www.ift.org/knowledge-center/learn-about-food-science/what-is-food-science.aspx

http://www.ift.org/knowledge-center/learn-about-food-science/k12-outreach.aspx

http://www.ift.org/knowledge-center/learn-about-food-science/k12-outreach/video-and-media.aspx

http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/19-1012.00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

RESOURCESRESOURCES