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Fermentation

Fermentation describes the chemical process where microorganisms – usually yeast or bacteria – convert sugar into alcohols, acids, or gases.

Fermentation is used to make some of the most popular food and drinks that Americans consume, including beer, wine, spirits, yogurt, cheese, salami, and bread, among many others. The most common industries involved in fermentation are food and alcohol production; however, fermentation is an important component in a huge variety of careers that span numerous other industries, including:

  • Health and wellness
  • Biotechnology
  • Bio-pharmaceuticals
  • Sustainable energy
  • Applied chemistry and microbiology

As an emerging field, careers in fermentation are often found in small businesses, so students interested in fermentation should also consider entrepreneurship.

 

Videos


What is Fermentation? (4:17) This quick video demonstrates the process of fermentation with sugar and yeast.

 

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In a niche field such as fermentation, one of the most effective ways to find an internship is to directly contact a prospective employer. Be prepared to share why you are interested in interning, what you hope to learn, and what you can contribute.

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Common Areas of Focus

  • Brewing Production
  • Wine Production
  • Distillation Technologies
  • Food and Beverage Processing
  • Applied Biotechnology
  • Waste and Water Treatment
  • Development of Sustainable Energy Resources
  • Process Engineering

 

Top Companies

  • Synthetic Genomics (biotechnology)
  • Microvi Biotechnologies (water treatment)
  • Althea (biotech)

 

Job Titles and Salaries

  • Fermentation Specialist - $64,000 (SimplyHired)
  • Fermentation Engineer - $54,000-$62,000 (GlassDoor)
  • Fermentation Scientist - $73,012 (GlassDoor)

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