Career Placement

• Our Food Science graduates experience 100 percent job placement by graduation or within six months after graduation.
• The average undergraduate salary for the class of 2007 ranges from $40,000 to $57,000.
• Food Science graduates enter a range of careers within the food industry or government. Some graduates go on to graduate or professional school, such as medical, law, or business school. Others become sensory analysts, food microbiologists, food or flavor chemists, nutritionists, or food engineers. Graduates work in product development, operations management, or a wide variety of other industry-related careers.

Strong business relationships and Food Science go hand in hand. Here is an industry sampling of our close corporate partnerships:

• H.J. Heinz Company
• Kraft Foods Company
• General Mills
• Del Monte Foods Co.
• Campbell’s Soup Company
• Nestle USA
• The Hershey Company
• Unilever
• Cadbury Schweppes
• Dreyer’s Edy’s Grand Ice Cream
• Pepsico
• ConAgra Foods
• M&M Mars

Career Placement Process

The Career Placement Program is designed to maximize your career-planning opportunities prior to graduation. Services are provided to assist students in obtaining summer internship, co-op, and permanent positions.

Position descriptions are made available to all Food Science students, and detailed application instructions are included.

If you have any questions, please contact Juanita Wolfe.

Procedures for Individual Appointments

The professional placement program offers individualized career counseling and planning for all Food Science students who need assistance with their postgraduation preparation. To schedule an appointment, follow these procedures:

• Develop your résumé using the resources at the MBNA Career Services Center.
• Choose your references and ask permission to use their name.
• Contact Juanita Wolfe at jmw5@psu.edu or by phone at 814-863-8667 to request a meeting time.
• Bring a working copy of your résumé to your meeting or e-mail it to Juanita Wolfe prior to your appointment.
• If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact Juanita Wolfe as early as possible so that space can be opened up to other students needing assistance.

Recommendations for Interview Sessions

We strongly recommend you follow these guidelines to maximize your chances for success:

• Research the company using the Web. Check out the company’s product line at the grocery store.
• Always dress professionally in formal attire. Business casual is not appropriate. You are a reflection of the college and professional image is very important when interfacing with companies. Remember, you never have a second chance to make a first impression!
• Make sure you are on time to all information and interview sessions.
• Shake hands firmly when you meet your interviewer. Bring paper with you to take notes. Prepare questions in advance to ask the interviewer.
• Remember to send a thank-you letter, not an e-mail, to your interviewer.

Postgraduation Career Services

Graduates are encouraged to share their career placement information and experiences with the Food Science program. Graduates can request job description information after graduation. Interested individuals may do so by sending an e-mail to Juanita Wolfe.