E-Paper
Good to eat
No matter what happens in the job market, food is a constant in our lives. And every day, consumers want more from the food on their table. This is where the skills of a food technologist come in, and so this sector remains a sunrise industry despite the economic slowdown.
The lowdown
No matter what happens in the job market, food is a constant in our lives. And every day, consumers want more from the food on their table. This is where the skills of a food technologist come in, and so this sector remains a sunrise industry despite the economic slowdown. The fact that the industry is in its initial growth stage in India means getting a job is relatively easy. This is one sector that has immense potential to generate employment and revenues in India. Food technologists find employement in food processing, retail, hotel, agri-products, and in the service sector in departments like quality assurance, production, hygiene, laboratory, etc.
Everything in the industry is based on physics, chemistry, microbiology, nutrition and engineering. So a student should have sound knowledge of the basic sciences
Clockwork
7am: Wake up, work out
9am: Reach office
9.30am: Visit factory to check tin cans and packaging of product
2pm: Lunch
6pm: Leave for home
The payoff
A BSc graduate can get Rs 2 to Rs 3 lakh per annum. Remuneration goes up after a master’s degree. A general manager can make around Rs 15 lakh per annum
Skills/TRAITS
* Knowledge of, and a certain comfort level with the physical sciences, biology and mathematics
* Should have no problems working in a laboratory environment
* A basic interest in processed foods available in the market
Getting there
After completing Class 12, you can opt for BSc (hons) in food technology. After that, you can go for higher studies like MSc in food technology at institutes like the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, or opt for MBA (agri-business management)
Institutes and URLs
* Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, Delhi University
www.bcas.du.ac.in
* Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women, DU
www.rajgurucollege.com
* University of Mumbai
www.mu.ac.in
* Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, www.bamu.net
* Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore
www.cftri.com
* National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management
http://www.niftem.ac.in/NIFTEM/
Pros and cons
* The food industry has tremendous growth potential, creating a whole lot of jobs for graduates
* Consumers are becoming more concerned about food safety
After completing BSc, students can choose to work in the industry or pursue academics further. Either way, bright prospects await students in food technology Dr Rizwana, associate professor and founding member department of food technology at Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, DU
