Career Compass: Food Science

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Course requirements:
AGRI 1600, BIOL 1020, BIOL 1030, CHEM 1100, CHEM 1110 or CHEM 1130, ECON 1010, HNSC 1200, MATH 1300 or MATH 1210, MATH 1500 or MATH 1510 or MATH 1524

Science: HNSC 1210

Business: ECON 1020

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Science to help you plan your program.
2. If you need academic support, visit the Academic Learning Centre for workshops or to meet with a learning skills instructor.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Course requirements:
ABIZ 1000, AGRI 2030, AGRI 2400 or STAT 2000 (requires STAT 1000 as a free elective), CHEM 2730, CHEM 2740, FOOD 2500 

Business: ACC 1100, HNSC 1210, HRIR 2440, or ABIZ 2620, plus elective

Science: CHEM 1110 or CHEM 1130, MBIO 1010, plus electives

To do this year:

1. Meet with an academic advisor and career consultant to map out your options.
2. Consider taking a minor and choose courses that will open opportunities.
3. Use UM Achieve to prepare for and plan for registration.
4. Consider applying to the co-op option.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Course requirements: FOOD 3010, FOOD 4150, FOOD 4160 and MKT 2210

Science: BIOE 3530, FOOD 3210, FOOD 4250, plus electives

Business: ABIZ 2510, ECON 2010, ECON 2020, FOOD 4502, plus electives

To do this year:

1. Considering a professional program? Refer to the Admission Office's Applicant Information Bulletin to familiarize yourself with the pre-professional requirements.

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Course requirements:
FOOD 4100, FOOD 4200, FOOD 4510

Science: FOOD 4010, plus electives

Business: ABIZ 3510, plus electives

To do this year:

1. Pick your restricted electives, some courses are offered in alternating years
2. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills. Gather career information and resources from the faculty job placement co-ordinator.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Utilize UM Connect to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Access the UM Experiential Learning Catalogue to explore involvement opportunities on campus. Throughout your studies, access your Experience Record to track and reflect on your competencies.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Make professional connections:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs, like the ASE Career Fair in October, to connect with employers.
3. Become a student member with the Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology, the Institute of Food Technologists and others.
4. Develop professional connections with professors by applying for an Undergraduate Research Award.

Market your skills: Develop your resumé and cover letter and refine your interview skills.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Investigate your career options:

1. Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.
2. Develop employability and essential skills sought by employers.
3. Explore supports available to entrepreneurs for business planning such as Food and Beverage Manitoba, Yes! Winnipeg, the Stu Clarke Centre for Entrepreneurship, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Government.
4. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.

Consider continuing your studies: Check out the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Extended Education or other professional programs.

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation. Additional career information and resources are available from the faculty job placement coordinator.

If you are continuing on to a professional program or graduate school: Finalize your application materials and required tests. Use the awards database to search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Student groups including the University of Manitoba Dairy Club, the Faculty of Agriculture Students' Association (FASO) and the University of Manitoba Students' Union (UMSU).
2. Volunteer for UM Orientation events to help welcome new students to campus while gaining experience.
3. Student work opportunities including Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program.
4. Experiential education opportunities such as UM Community Volunteers and the Student Leadership Development Program.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for a research assistant positions, Undergraduate Research Award through NSERC. Check out other research opportunities in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences like the Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research, and Faculty's experiential learning spaces like the Dairy Pilot Plant, George Weston Ltd. Sensory and Food Research Laboratory, and Barbara Burns Food Innovation Laboratory.

Gain practical experience by volunteering: Check out Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre, and Agriculture in the Classroom.

Obtain certificates employers may require, including: Certified Food Handler, Smart Choices Responsible Service Certification, Good Manufacturing Practice, WHMIS and First Aid/CPR.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Consider FOOD 4230 - Food Research

Check out student job opportunities with: Mini U, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, personal care homes and food service industries, and charitable and/or non-profit organizations like Food Matters MB, Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba (CNCM), Harvest Manitoba, Immigrant Centre Manitoba (Nutrition Services).

Search for job opportunities online: Check out AgCareers.com, Job Bank, Indeed or other search engines.

Use your networks and connections: Inquire about unadvertised job openings (the "hidden job market").

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you're applying for graduate school.

Find opportunities to market yourself: Attend a conference or participate in an international food science competition through the Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology.

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships such as the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program. Consider completing the Certified Food Scientist (CFS) credential and your Food Handlers Certificate.

Cultural experiences offer valuable exposure and learning opportunities that help us engage with and appreciate the diversity in our communities and future workplaces. Learn more about Indigenous and International communities at the University of Manitoba.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Engage in intercultural experiences: Visit the International Centre website to learn more about volunteer opportunities for UM students. Engage in Indigenous cultural learning by attending Indigenous events on campus.

Indigenous Student Programming: If you’re an Indigenous Student, explore supports and programs at the Indigenous Student Centre.  

Interested in studying abroad to gain intercultural experiences and skills employers want? Visit the student exchange programs website and book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator to learn more. Also learn about a full year abroad experience through McCall MacBain International Fellowships.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Applying for an international exchange program?  Students apply almost one year in advance of their exchange. Book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator on the exchange programs website to start the process.

Participate in cultural learning opportunities on campus: Participate in Indigenous learning opportunities such as Fireside Chats, Tea with Auntie, Indigenous Studies Colloquium, and other events within your faculty. Your active and respectful participation is welcome at Indigenous ceremonies on campus. Please note that some ceremonies are confidential spaces; feel free to ask about cultural protocols. 

Join a student community: There are many student groups at UM, including those that represent a wide variety of cultures and communities - the UM Indigenous Students’ Association (UMISA), UM International Students' Organization, and many more!  

Looking to learn a language? Visit the Language Centre for a variety of resources and join the Language Exchange program or Language Partner Volunteer Program.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Participate in the Intercultural Leaders program to enhance cultural awareness and develop intercultural skills for a variety of settings, both in and out of the classroom. Participate in 8 sessions with topics on leadership, self-awareness, intercultural competency, communication, conflict resolution and more.  

Volunteer at the International Centre’s Welcome Mentors program and/or Graduation Pow Wow.

Engage locally: Learn more about the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba and your responsibility as a Treaty partner. Enroll in Community Engaged Learning programs; Indigenous students may wish to explore programs such as Land and Water: Land-Based Education. 

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Expand your knowledge on Indigenous culture and protocols, including developing your own Territory Acknowledgement. Explore resources provided by Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and take part in the educational programming offered during Truth and Reconciliation Week!

Industries such as agriculture, biotechnology, environmental, food and dairy, education, and government would value a food science degree in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Oral and written communication
• Critical thinking
• Industry specific knowledge
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Digital technology
• Numeracy and data use
• Continuous learning

Attain skills through your classroom education and take advantage of experiential education opportunities.

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.

Details of that report can be found here.