Food Scientists and Technologists Entry-Level Career Resources

Bachelor Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs (jobs after undergraduate degree)

Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Bachelor Degree, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page

Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Bachelor's Degree, and % with 1 year experience (or less).

These entry-level roles are designed for new bachelor's degree graduates ready to start their first professional position. For recent graduates who want realistic starting points that match their degree and experience level. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.

4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video .

This page will take you through 4 steps, to find entry level Bachelor degree jobs and careers: (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.

Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Bachelor's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.

Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.

Step 1 of 4: Select a Career

Leading Books About Bachelor's Degree Jobs
What entry level jobs can you get with a Bachelor's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Bachelor's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Bachelor's Degree. - 110 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:

Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Bachelor's Degree) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)

Water Resource Specialists / 50.00% / 36.37% / ($157,740)

Medical Dosimetrists / 75.00% / 30.00% / ($132,880)

Actuaries / 89.28% / 82.14% / ($120,000)

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists / 76.00% / 36.00% / ($112,280)

Chemical Engineers / 95.65% / 78.26% / ($112,100)

Solar Energy Systems Engineers / 55.56% / 32.13% / ($111,970)

Photonics Engineers / 52.38% / 34.79% / ($111,970)

Orthoptists / 85.71% / 53.57% / ($107,990)

Materials Scientists / 66.66% / 52.38% / ($106,160)

Materials Engineers / 52.38% / 38.09% / ($104,100)

Computer Systems Analysts / 41.93% / 31.42% / ($103,800)

Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers / 88.47% / 46.16% / ($103,690)

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers / 50.00% / 41.17% / ($101,800)

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers / 43.48% / 52.18% / ($100,730)

Environmental Engineers / 66.66% / 61.91% / ($100,090)

Computer Programmers / 88.04% / 40.18% / ($99,700)

Automotive Engineers / 71.43% / 38.09% / ($99,510)

Fuel Cell Engineers / 57.14% / 45.47% / ($99,510)

Manufacturing Engineers / 76.00% / 34.61% / ($99,380)

Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists / 50.00% / 45.00% / ($99,380)

Video Game Designers / 55.00% / 40.00% / ($98,540)

Radiation Therapists / 37.54% / 42.76% / ($98,300)

Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists / 39.13% / 73.92% / ($96,370)

Transportation Engineers / 86.36% / 40.91% / ($95,890)

Water/Wastewater Engineers / 69.57% / 50.00% / ($95,890)

Transportation Planners / 55.00% / 35.00% / ($95,890)

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers / 40.62% / 53.13% / ($92,580)

Intelligence Analysts / 73.92% / 30.43% / ($91,100)

Molecular and Cellular Biologists / 34.62% / 38.46% / ($91,100)

Geographers / 45.00% / 45.00% / ($90,880)

Hydrologists / 43.48% / 45.46% / ($88,770)

Agricultural Engineers / 75.00% / 35.00% / ($88,750)

Acute Care Nurses / 66.66% / 52.38% / ($86,070)

Registered Nurses / 55.92% / 37.83% / ($86,070)

Critical Care Nurses / 50.00% / 60.71% / ($86,070)

Microbiologists / 72.73% / 54.55% / ($85,470)

Web Developers / 50.00% / 33.33% / ($84,960)

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers / 44.97% / 30.56% / ($84,570)

Financial Examiners / 95.66% / 47.83% / ($84,300)

Operations Research Analysts / 42.85% / 40.00% / ($83,640)

Food Scientists and Technologists / 81.82% / 54.55% / ($82,090)

Chemical Plant and System Operators / 36.27% / 34.85% / ($80,030)

Online Merchants / 41.29% / 37.80% / ($79,590)

Credit Analysts / 95.00% / 30.00% / ($79,420)

Logistics Engineers / 73.91% / 39.14% / ($79,400)

Landscape Architects / 95.00% / 36.84% / ($79,320)

Insurance Underwriters / 73.33% / 40.00% / ($77,860)

Commercial and Industrial Designers / 67.92% / 32.87% / ($76,250)

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists / 31.50% / 56.99% / ($76,210)

Environmental Compliance Inspectors / 75.00% / 40.00% / ($75,670)

Coroners / 50.00% / 40.00% / ($75,670)

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators / 39.34% / 49.63% / ($75,670)

Writers and Authors / 46.95% / 31.03% / ($73,690)

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling / 52.12% / 30.60% / ($73,460)

Dietitians and Nutritionists / 63.33% / 30.00% / ($69,680)

Electrical and Electronics Drafters / 40.08% / 46.57% / ($69,260)

Conservation Scientists / 78.27% / 39.14% / ($68,750)

Park Naturalists / 49.75% / 56.05% / ($68,750)

Surveyors / 47.37% / 30.00% / ($68,540)

Adapted Physical Education Specialists / 71.43% / 76.18% / ($67,190)

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School / 57.35% / 62.00% / ($66,620)

Special Education Teachers, Middle School / 82.51% / 53.04% / ($66,600)

Film and Video Editors / 65.10% / 32.92% / ($66,600)

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products / 33.89% / 36.34% / ($65,630)

Special Education Teachers, Preschool / 63.43% / 60.73% / ($65,270)

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education / 84.73% / 71.18% / ($65,220)

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School / 44.42% / 31.47% / ($65,130)

Forensic Science Technicians / 32.36% / 32.02% / ($64,940)

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education / 88.24% / 62.40% / ($64,290)

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School / 80.62% / 56.90% / ($63,860)

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education / 78.17% / 63.08% / ($63,680)

Music Therapists / 84.62% / 65.38% / ($63,650)

Real Estate Brokers / 45.33% / 36.44% / ($63,060)

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education / 86.20% / 75.61% / ($62,690)

Interior Designers / 84.00% / 40.00% / ($62,510)

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists / 88.03% / 43.28% / ($61,800)

Paralegals and Legal Assistants / 46.50% / 34.43% / ($60,970)

Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors / 52.22% / 39.65% / ($60,560)

Fish and Game Wardens / 79.35% / 45.27% / ($60,380)

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators / 35.12% / 42.16% / ($59,300)

Computer User Support Specialists / 47.32% / 32.44% / ($59,240)

Insurance Sales Agents / 46.90% / 72.73% / ($59,080)

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents / 33.61% / 38.40% / ($58,530)

Recreational Therapists / 97.30% / 55.26% / ($57,120)

Interpreters and Translators / 54.72% / 35.52% / ($57,090)

Chemical Technicians / 43.74% / 47.59% / ($56,750)

Social Science Research Assistants / 54.32% / 46.58% / ($56,400)

Exercise Physiologists / 59.09% / 50.00% / ($54,860)

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians / 72.05% / 33.89% / ($54,000)

Child, Family, and School Social Workers / 68.66% / 36.21% / ($53,940)

Desktop Publishers / 38.70% / 45.93% / ($51,290)

Airfield Operations Specialists / 50.86% / 50.32% / ($51,140)

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health / 68.18% / 68.18% / ($50,660)

Statistical Assistants / 61.28% / 36.94% / ($50,510)

Food Science Technicians / 32.33% / 67.10% / ($49,090)

Proofreaders and Copy Markers / 47.30% / 47.90% / ($48,790)

Cargo and Freight Agents / 30.75% / 74.53% / ($48,330)

Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping / 33.81% / 30.88% / ($47,710)

Loan Interviewers and Clerks / 38.26% / 36.81% / ($47,380)

Coaches and Scouts / 48.89% / 33.27% / ($45,910)

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys / 35.18% / 40.27% / ($44,890)

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants / 37.46% / 85.80% / ($44,490)

Rehabilitation Counselors / 55.86% / 55.52% / ($44,040)

Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary / 57.32% / 66.98% / ($43,750)

Precision Agriculture Technicians / 34.78% / 43.48% / ($43,180)

Social and Human Service Assistants / 40.46% / 60.58% / ($41,410)

Tutors / 40.91% / 72.73% / ($39,580)

Residential Advisors / 31.29% / 65.91% / ($37,950)

Substitute Teachers, Short-Term / 40.15% / 66.44% / ($37,380)

Recreation Workers / 61.96% / 40.14% / ($34,410)

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Job Listings for: Food Scientists and Technologists.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career

Prepare for the "Food Scientists and Technologists" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.

Food Scientists and Technologists

Description: Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

U.S. Total Employment (2023): 15,000	U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.): 16,100
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.): 1,000 (6.7%)	Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.): 1,700

Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Food Scientists and Technologists":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Develop food standards and production specifications, safety and sanitary regulations, and waste management and water supply specifications.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Evaluate food processing and storage operations and assist in the development of quality assurance programs for such operations.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Seek substitutes for harmful or undesirable additives, such as nitrites.
Importance: 95 (%)	Description: Develop new food items for production, based on consumer feedback.
Importance: 95 (%)	Description: Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.
Importance: 95 (%)	Description: Demonstrate products to clients.

Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 91 (%)	Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 88 (%)	Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 87 (%)	Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 87 (%)	Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 85 (%)	Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 85 (%)	Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 84 (%)	Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 82 (%)	Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 82 (%)	Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 81 (%)	Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 80 (%)	Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 79 (%)	Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 78 (%)	Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 78 (%)	Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 77 (%)	Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 76 (%)	Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 72 (%)	Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 72 (%)	Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 71 (%)	Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Importance: 70 (%)	Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 69 (%)	Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 68 (%)	Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 67 (%)	Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Importance: 67 (%)	Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Importance: 65 (%)	Description: Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Importance: 65 (%)	Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 65 (%)	Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 63 (%)	Description: Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Importance: 62 (%)	Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Importance: 61 (%)	Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.
Confer with clients to exchange information.
Develop specifications for new products or processes.
Establish standards for products, processes, or procedures.
Evaluate new technologies or methods.
Evaluate quality of materials or products.
Inspect areas for compliance with sanitation standards.
Research methods to improve food products.
Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
Test quality of materials or finished products.

Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 86 (%)	Description: Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Importance: 81 (%)	Description: Food Production: Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Importance: 79 (%)	Description: Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Importance: 77 (%)	Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 73 (%)	Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Importance: 72 (%)	Description: Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Importance: 68 (%)	Description: Biology: Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Importance: 61 (%)	Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Importance: 61 (%)	Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 61 (%)	Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Importance: 60 (%)	Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance) These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 66 (%)	Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 66 (%)	Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 66 (%)	Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Importance: 60 (%)	Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.

Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance) These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 60 (%)	Description: Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Importance: 60 (%)	Description: Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Importance: 56 (%)	Description: Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Importance: 54 (%)	Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?

Activity: Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications.

Activity: Coordinate with others to resolve problems.

Activity: Develop operational or technical procedures or standards.

Activity: Develop technical specifications for products or operations.

Activity: Evaluate production inputs or outputs.

Activity: Evaluate the characteristics, usefulness, or performance of products or technologies.

Activity: Inspect facilities or equipment.

Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise.

Activity: Research technology designs or applications.

Activity: Test characteristics of materials or products.

Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?

High-Priority Tech Skills

Electronic mail software:

Microsoft Outlook

Office suite software:

Microsoft Office software

Presentation software:

Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software:

Microsoft Excel

Emerging Tech Skills

Business intelligence and data analysis software:

Tableau

Data base user interface and query software:

Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL

Enterprise resource planning ERP software:

SAP software

Object or component oriented development software:

Sales and marketing software:

HubSpot software
Marketo Marketing Automation

Web platform development software:

Hypertext markup language HTML

Word processing software:

Microsoft Word

General Software Tools

Analytical or scientific software (scroll table below):

BioDiscovery ImaGene

Image analysis software

Insightful S-PLUS

MDS Analytical Technologies GenePix Pro

Sensory Computer Systems SIMS

STATISTICA

Customer relationship management CRM software:

Oracle Eloqua

Data base user interface and query software:

PathogenTracker
U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA National Nutrient Database

Preparation Required

Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%)	Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 81.8 (%)	Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 9.1 (%)	Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%)	Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%)	Level of Education: Master's Degree

Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 31.8 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 22.7 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 9.1 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Frequency of Attainment: 9.1 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 9.1 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month
Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years

Local Salary Information

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Certifications

Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?

Certified Food Scientist
Food Safety Manager Certification

Professional Associations

Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?

Consumer Brands Association (CBA)
Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST)
Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
International Association for Food Protection (IAFP)
International Food Information Council Foundation (IFIC)
National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP)

Job Listings

Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings

Food Scientists and Technologists

Applications Scientist

Corporate Food Scientist

Crop Advisor

Dairy Bacteriologist

Enologist

Fermentation Scientist

Flavorist

Food and Drug Research Scientist

Food Engineer

Food Preservation Scientist

Food Processing Scientist

Food Safety Auditor

Food Safety Regulatory Manager

Food Safety Scientist

Formulator

Postdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoc Research Associate)

Product Development Scientist

Product Development Specialist

QC Scientist (Quality Control Scientist)

Scientist

Swine Technician (Swine Tech)

Related Careers to Consider

Related Careers to Consider This lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to what "Food Scientists and Technologists" do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit. How do these related occupations align with your interests, skills, and goals?
1 - Food Science Technicians
2 - Animal Scientists
3 - Chemists
4 - Agricultural Technicians
5 - Microbiologists
6 - Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
7 - Soil and Plant Scientists
8 - Quality Control Analysts
9 - Agricultural Engineers
10 - Chemical Engineers
11 - Agricultural Inspectors
12 - Chemical Technicians
13 - Biofuels Processing Technicians
14 - Industrial Engineers
15 - Biofuels Production Managers
16 - Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
17 - Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
18 - Industrial Ecologists
19 - Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
20 - Cooks, Restaurant

Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)

This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Food Scientists and Technologists". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.

Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.

Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.

Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.

Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.

Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.

Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Food Scientists and Technologists". Use these links to find a job.

Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Food Scientists and Technologists". Use these links to find a job.

Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.

Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Food Scientists and Technologists

Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...

LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.

Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Food Scientists and Technologists" occupation.