Career Prospects for Food Science and Technology graduates
On several occasions, I have been asked by Food Science and Technology undergraduates or enthusiasts to explain the career prospects or opportunities for a graduate of Food Science and Technology. So, here goes my reply.
The following are career prospects you may consider, if you're interested in practicing the profession.
1. Lecturing
As a graduate of Food Science and Technology who is passionate about lecturing in the university or polytechnic you can go ahead to pursue or a Masters or PhD which will increase your chances of becoming a lecturer. Some universities retain students who graduated with excellent grades and wish to become a lecturer. Passion for teaching and transfer of knowledge to others is needed to be successful at this.
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2. Food Manufacturing or Processing Industry Professional in the following departments
*Production: Food Science and Technology graduates are found in the production department where they function as the process owners ensuring that the manufacturing/processing operation is seamless by monitoring of the entire process end-to-end to obtain the desired finished product(s) with the least possible waste. People management skills for managing different behaviours on the shop floor (production floor) and numerical skills for material balancing is a must have.
*Quality Assurance and Quality Control: Here a Food Science and Technology graduate can be found in the laboratory conducting tests (physical, chemical, microbiological or sensory) on raw materials, intermediate or finished products to ensure conformance to consumer, regulatory or even company requirements. Food Science and Technology graduates can also be found on the shop floor conducting routine checks to ensure that the agreed standard of product is maintained without deviations. Attention to details, analytical skills, inquisitiveness, tolerance to routine will be helpful here.
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*Research and Development: The food chemistry, food microbiology and sensory evaluation background that a Food Science and Technology graduate has can be harnessed to develop new products, reformulate existing products or even manipulate existing products to get new variants of products. Open-mindedness, attention to details, analytical skills is needed. You must be prepared to bring out the scientist in you, and be ready for trials, errors and failures along the way.
*Packaging Technology: A Food Science and Technology graduate can work together with packaging designers/engineers to select the best fit primary, secondary and tertiary packaging materials suitable to retain the characteristic features of each food product for the period of shelf life. A great eye for aesthetics and functionality will be useful for this role.
3. Auditing/Training of prospective auditors:
By obtaining relevant auditing training/ certifications (example FSSC 22000 V5.1 Auditor/Lead Auditor training) a Food Science and Technology graduate can work with a certification body as an auditor to conduct audits for food companies and certify companies that meet the requirements of ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System. As a certified trainer, you can also be a trainer for professionals who want to become FSSC 22000 internal auditors or lead auditors. Asides working with certification bodies, you can also work with regulatory agencies like Standards Organisation of Nigeria. A successful auditor must have great eyes for details, be observant, eloquent, inquisitive, and be an active listener.
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4. Entrepreneurship
A Food Science and Technology graduate who has the financial resources and desires to start a small, medium or large scale food processing business is in the best position to do so as the basic knowledge of food processing and preservation is at your fingertips. Such a person is in the best position to harness knowledge of food processing and preservation, food safety and quality, food labelling and packaging, and storage to gain advantage over competitors.
Technical and report writing skill is a must have for all.
About the Author
Chidinma Ezinne Ochulor is a certified Food Technologist, a quality assurance professional with over 3 years' experience. She is a professional member of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST). Reach her on LinkedIn, here.
