CAREERS & EDUCATION in Food Science, Technology & Engineering

What do Food Scientists, Technologists and Engineers do? 

Virtually every food item you see in the supermarket will have had some input from a Food Scientist, Food Technologist or Food Engineer during its development. They use science and engineering to develop, process and package safe, nutritious and appealing food products. As well as requiring technical skills, their work may include business development, marketing and management. The work is varied, stimulating, challenging and offers excellent career prospects. 

 Go here for a list of JOB OPTIONS which include typical job descriptions. Each requires specific qualifications - follow the links to find out what these entail, and where to go to study for them in New Zealand.

 Go here for some examples of FOOD TECHNOLOGISTS AT WORK

Image credit - Farro.

What do I have to study to become a Food Scientist, Food Technologist, or Food Engineer? 

At SECONDARY level, the TECHNOLOGY curriculum explores the entire process of why, what and how we make things. Anything and everything. Including soft materials, hard materials, food technology as well as information and communication technology (ICT). 

At TERTIARY level, there are a wide range of courses available across the spectrum of food science, technology and engineering.

 Go here for a full list of TERTIARY COURSES available in NZ, both graduate and post-graduate.

 Go here for a list of SCHOLARSHIPS available for food science, technology and engineering studies.

Image credit - Massey University

Who employs Food Scientists, Technologists and Engineers? 

Food scientists, technologists and engineers are in short supply. They are employed in both the public and private sector, including:

    - Dairy, meat, seafood and horticultural processors
    - Brewers, winemakers and beverage manufacturers
    - Bakeries, confectioners and snack food manufacturers 

And in the associated service industries: 

    - Packaging, ingredient and equipment suppliers
    - Advertising agencies and market research companies
    - Research establishments and universities.
    - Government departments.

 Go here for JOB VACANCIES currently being advertised in the food industry.

Image credit - Goodman Fielder.

For secondary students:
 Careers - food scientists, technologists & engineers working in industry, and links to useful information
 Job options with job descriptions and qualifications needed 
 Food technology in action - food processes in the food industry
 NZIFST CREST Food Innovation Challenge
 Useful links to other websites about careers in food science, technology & engineering
 Tertiary courses in food science, technology & engineering
 Scholarships and funding available for tertiary study

For university students:
 Online study resources
 Tertiary courses, details and contacts
 Work experience while studying
 Meet prospective employers
 Employment opportunities

For primary teachers:
 Ideas for science fairs
 Food science and technology resources
 Food technology in action

For secondary teachers:
 Experiments and examples for use in teaching science & technology
 NZIFST CREST Food Innovation Challenge
 Useful links to teaching resources
 Suggestions as to how NZIFST and its members can assist you in teaching FST&E
 NZIFST Careers & Education contacts

For careers advisers:
 Information about careers in food science, technology & engineering
 Suggestions as to how NZIFST and its members can assist you in promoting careers in FST&E
 NZIFST Careers & Education contacts

For university teachers:
 Online study resources
 NZIFST Careers & Education contacts