EASYUNI Ultimate University Guide 2013 Issue 4 | Page 40

CO U R S E S & C A REERS
Food Scientists and Technologists Careers
Once you begin working, your employers may offer or
mandate additional in-house training. These additional training
programmes often increase product familiarity, an overview
of company-specific techniques, a background in the errors
and successes of the company, company policies, and other
background information not covered solely through degree
programmes. Your employer may also encourage the taking
of short courses for topics such as food hygiene, meat safety,
sales, marketing, consumer relations, and so on.

Your role may include the inspection of warehouses,
factories and fields where food is grown, stored, or
prepared. If so, you may be required to undertake courses
to get familiarised with the local public health and
environmental health organisations.

A food tech works a lot in the lab, with some time spent in
warehouses, factories and distribution centres. While the job
is a traditional nine-to-five, extra shifts may be required for
overseeing production and delivery of the products. You will
spend a lot of time monitoring production processes after the
product has been developed in the lab.

Before you decide on this career path, ask
yourself the following questions:

• Do I have an aptitude for science
and math?
• Do I have a strong attention
to detail?
• Can I follow strict hygiene rules?
• Am I interested in food preparation
and quality management?
• Am I an effective communicator?
• Do I have the confidence to not only
follow regulations, but enforce them
as well?
• Can I work in a team?
Everyone who desires a career in food technology
must have these skills and prerequisites. While
a few can be learned, most are innate. If the
majority of the answers were “no,” then this
may not be the career for you, though a strong
enough passion can usually spark the changes
that will enable you to answer “yes” a few years
down the road.

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easyuni Guide 2014

Issue 4