Career Close-Up: Food Scientist
Food scientists research, develop, and improve the food products we see in grocery stores. They work to make food safer, tastier, more nutritious, and longer-lasting. Introduce your students to the food science career path with the activities below.
- What does a food scientist do? Watch the video below.
- What does a food scientist need to be successful? Click on the skill cards below to see how food scientists use these three skills. Which of these skills do you have? Which would you need to work on, and how would you do it?
- Research the educational path of a food scientist. What companies hire food scientists? What related careers exist?
- Food scientists are changemakers! Consider how this career path might change in the next 10 years. How can food scientists influence the future of sustainable food?
Product Development Challenge! Design a healthy snack for teens that is affordable, tastes great and is easy to take to school. Download and print this Design Thinking worksheet to organize your work!
Skill match: Why would a food scientist need these skills?
Skill #1:
Creativity
Food scientists need to be creative because they’re not just following recipes; they're coming up with new food products, working with budget constraints, and adapting to trends.
Skill #2:
Problem solving
Food scientists solve sustainability challenges, like replacing animal-based ingredients with plant-based ones, designing more eco-friendly packaging and finding ways to reduce food waste.
Skill #3:
Teamwork
Food scientists almost never work alone! In addition to collaborating with other food scientists, they work with marketers, food inspectors, engineers and suppliers—just to name a few!