Culinary Science

Career Outlook

Depending on what measures one uses, the food processing industry is the largest or second largest manufacturing segment of all industries in the US. Employment opportunities for college graduates in the food processing industry are expected to remain strong over the next five years. In fact, an estimated 20,000 positions in food and agriculture are filled by people who have had training in an allied field. The Central Atlantic region is home to a number of food processors and companies that supply ingredients to the food industry, but the industry is global in scope.

Typical career paths for culinary science graduates include the following:

• food product developer
• research chef
• ingredient marketing and sales
• food quality assurance manager
• food microbiologist
• food chemist
• research food scientist

Co-Op Opportunities
Drexel University has long been known for its co-operative education/internship programs, which allow students to mix periods of full-time, career-related employment with their studies. All traditional Culinary Science students pursue the 6-month co-op employment. This six-month experience during the junior year can be completed locally or nationally. The following employers have recently offered positions to Drexel's Culinary Science majors:

• Keystone Foods Corporation
• Campbell Soup Company
• Ottens Flavors
• Victory Brewing Company
• David Michael & Company
• Barry-Callebaut
• Virginia Dare Company

Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.