Food Industry Internships

Internship Overview

Join our paid food industry internship program and gain hands-on experience solving real-world challenges in collaboration with food industry professionals.

Duration: 250-hour internship 
Stipend: $4,000 
Additional Support: Up to $2,000 available for travel expenses  
Eligibility: MS Food Science students at SDSU (10 placements available) 
Location: Various industry partner locations

Why Participate in a Food Industry Internship?

Participating in a food industry internship is a great opportunity to gain valuable insights into the food industry, build a professional network, and acquire the critical skills employers are looking for. Here are some of the benefits of the internship program:

• Practical Experience: Apply classroom knowledge to solve food industry problems.
• Skill Development: Enhance both technical skills (e.g., product development, quality assurance) and essential soft skills (e.g., teamwork, communication).
• Career Networking: Build professional connections with industry experts.
• Resume Boost: Gain standout experience that will set you apart in the competitive job market.

What You’ll Do

During the internship, you'll immerse yourself in a professional food industry setting, tackling real business challenges under the guidance of experienced mentors. Key activities include:

• Engaging in research and development to address industry needs
• Problem-solving with your team to optimize products and processes
• Learning industry-standard tools, technologies, and best practices
• Developing leadership, time management, and communication skills
• Contributing to meaningful projects that propel the food industry forward

Contact Information

Have questions? Want to learn more about this opportunity?

Contact: Dr. Changqi Liu 
Email: [email protected]

Acknowledgement

This program is supported by the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program, project award no. 2024-70003-43594, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.