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Food Scientists and Technologists

Did You Know:

  • Faster than average growth is expected as agricultural and food scientists develop new products using biotechnology and work to limit the negative environmental impact of agriculture.
  • A bachelor's degree in agricultural science is sufficient for most jobs in product development; a master's or Ph.D. degree is generally required for research positions.
  • Opportunities are expected to be good.


Industry Areas

  • Scientific Research and Development Services
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises
  • Other Food Manufacturing

Day-to-Day Tasks

  • Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
  • Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.
  • Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.

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Overall Kind of Work

The work of agricultural and food scientists plays an important role in maintaining the nation's food supply by ensuring agricultural productivity and food safety. Agricultural scientists study fa...

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Work Environment

Military

Life scientists work in medical, clinical, and research laboratories and, at times, in food processing or storage plants. They may work outdoors while conducting field work on land or aboard ships.

Status

What is the difference between enlisted and officer?

Enlisted:
Enlisted members enter the Military with a high school diploma (in some cases a GED), at a minimum. They are employed in almost every type of military career, often in hands-on roles.

Officers: Officers either enter the Military with a four-year college degree or greater or served previously as enlisted members, and are generally employed in management roles or highly specialized fields that require intensive training.
  • yes Officer
  • no Enlisted

Military Breakdown

The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.

60 Food Scientists and Technologists in the military

Service Branches

Life Scientists work in the following services:

Army

Type of Work

The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.

Data: High
People: High
Things: Medium

Skills at a Glance

The levels of different skills helpful in this career.

Verbal skills: High
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: High
Equipment Operation & Maintenance: Medium
Math & Science Skills: High
Technology Design & Control: High
Leadership: High

Workplace at a Glance

The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.

Responsibility: High
Exposure to Job Hazards: Medium
Physical Activity: Medium
Decision Making: Low
Repetitiveness: Medium
Level of Competition: High
Time Pressure: Medium