Typical Careers of Graduates
Students that complete the Food Science and Technology concentration generally obtain employment in either research and development or quality assurance. They are in employed in the industry as directors of food product development and sensory evaluation divisions, senior food scientists, managers of quality assurance and test kitchens, directors of consumer services, and technical representatives. We also have a fair number of students that go into doctoral programs.
Dietitians and nutritionists completing the Human Nutritional Sciences concentration are employed in:
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public health planning programs designed to prevent disease and promote health (i.e., public health clinics, home health agencies and health maintenance organizations);
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food management in health care facilities, airlines, prisons, colleges, and schools;
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medical facilities (hospitals, nursing care or assisted living facilities, outpatient care centers, or offices of physicians) where they provide specialized medical nutrition therapy and nutritional counseling (more than half of all jobs are in this area);
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work under contract in wellness programs, sports teams, and supermarkets or be self employed in their own private consulting practice or
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private or public educational services.
One in five are employed in local, state or national governmental agencies i.e., county health departments, Veterans Administration. Increased public interest in nutrition has led to divergent job opportunities in advertising and marketing for equipment, pharmaceutical or food manufacturers.
Salary Information
Salaries in the food science and technology field are very competitive with other professional careers. To obtain the latest information on salary projections, refer to the US Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, which is updated periodically. Median annual earnings of food scientists and technologists were $50,840 in May 2004 and upper levels were $72,510.
According to the American Dietetic Association, median annualized wages for registered dietitians in 2005 varied by practice area as follows: $53,800 in consultation and business; $60,000 in food and nutrition management; $60,200 in education and research; $48,800 in clinical nutrition/ambulatory care; $50,000 in clinical nutrition/long-term care; $44,800 in community nutrition; and $45,000 in clinical nutrition/acute care. Salaries also vary by years in practice, education level, geographic region, and size of the community.
Employment Outlook
According to the US Department of Labor, employment of food scientists is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through 2014. Biotechnological research will continue to offer possibilities for the development of new food products and food packaging. This research will also allow food scientists to develop techniques to detect and control food pathogens. Opportunities are good for those with a master's degree, particularly for graduates seeking applied research positions in a laboratory. This research will be stimulated by a heightened public focus on diet, health, changes in food safety, and bio-security. Employment of food scientists is relatively stable during periods of economic recession. Layoffs are less likely among food scientists than in some other occupations because food is a staple item and its demand fluctuates very little with economic activity.
According to the US Department of Labor, employment of dietitians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2014 as a result of increasing emphasis on disease prevention through improved dietary habits. A growing and aging population will boost the demand for meals and nutritional counseling in hospitals, residential care facilities, schools, prisons, community health programs, and home health care agencies. Public interest in nutrition and increased emphasis on health education and prudent lifestyles also will spur demand, especially in management. In addition to employment growth, job openings will result from the need to replace experienced workers who leave the occupation. Employment is expected to grow rapidly in contract providers of food services, in outpatient care centers, and in offices of physicians and other health practitioners. With increased public awareness of obesity and diabetes, Medicare coverage has expanded to include medical nutrition therapy for renal and diabetic patients. As a result, dietitians that have specialized training in renal or diabetic diets or have a masterís degree should experience good employment opportunities.
Career Services
UW-Stout's Career Services Office uses CareerLink which is a comprehensive web-based data-base management tool used to provide expanded and efficient services to students and alumni. Counselors offer one-on-one assistance with everything ranging from cover letters, resumes, interviewing skills and job searching. After registering through the office, grads and alumni have access to job searching software, are provided listings of available jobs, and can be automatically emailed about jobs in specific areas.
Individualized help is also provided for locating internships and coops during your program and about full time positions as one approaches graduation and even after graduation. In our department, as we are notified about jobs through our industry and health care contacts, we e-mail the announcements to the students in the program and to our graduates.