If your program does not offer assistance or course credit in securing an internship or some other type of supervised work experience, seek one out on your own. An internship may lead to employment or better job prospects and recommendations.

A certificate or associate degree in food science usually qualifies you to work as a lab technician or an assistant.

With a bachelor's degree in food science, you can start as a research analyst in the industry. If you wish to pursue higher-level research positions such as a project manager or supervisor, you typically need a graduate degree. A bachelor's degree also qualifies you for business and development aspects in the field such as marketing and product development.

A master's degree program typically provides equal amounts of course work and research. It gives you advanced training and knowledge for more advanced applications in the field. If you want to pursue industrial research as a career or wish to teach at the university level, you should apply to a doctoral degree program.