INTERNSHIPS IN FOOD SCIENCE

Internships enable students to get experience related to their field of study-usually while receiving academic credit and wages. Interns often return to campus with a better understanding of how their course work relates to the real world and with a clearer picture of their career goals. They also see how an industry or organization they're interested in actually works, and they return to school more motivated to excel.

Along with providing valuable experience, internships can be a direct pathway to that first job. Employers increasingly use internships to develop a pool of qualified applicants. In fact, according to the College Placement Council, 35 percent of 624 companies recently surveyed said interns were their most important source of new full-time employees.

A typical internships usually lasts about 3 months during the summers although some food companies offer co-op or work-study programs that extend into the fall or spring semester. Typically, an intern will be assigned to a project and will be expected to prepare and present a written report at the end of the summer.

Among the many companies that have recently offered internships to food science students are:

• Hershey Foods
• General Foods
• Pillsbury Foods
• Kraft Foods

Students interested in applying for internships and co-op programs should contact Dr. Stephanie Doores, Department of Food Science sdoores@psu.edu, 814-863-2956

Interested students may also view a database of available internships maintained by the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.