This chapter discusses expectations within the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) approved food science programs and shares academic strategies that some universities are including within their programs to broaden student's exposure to the food industry. It employs preparation for a career in product development as an example of the educational pathways to achieve the goal. The academic criteria for graduate schools varies by each respective food science program, however, the outcomes are similar. Industrial outreach programs and IFT have a variety of product development competitions for students. Undergraduates have the opportunity to gain research experience in the laboratory under the mentorship of food science graduate students and faculty. Universities recognize that industry partners are requiring more than food science skills from their recruited food science students. Throughout the student's time at University of Massachusetts, the food science department provides several networking opportunities to expose students to the food industry network.