Confectionery Industry Workers

If this type of work interests you, start exploring the field by making candy at home. Fudge, taffy, candied apples, and chocolate covered pretzels are among the sweets you can make in your own kitchen. Check out books and video for advice on candy making. One suggestion: The Beginner's Guide to Candy Making: Simple and Sweet Recipes for Chocolates, Caramels, Lollypops, Gummies, and More, by Elizabeth LeBau.

Is there a candy manufacturing plant in your area? Call to see if tours are available. The Hershey's chocolate plant in Hershey, Pennsylvania, for example, offers tours of their operation to the public. Additionally, Hersey's offers the Adventures in Chocolate blog (https://www.chocolateworld.com/blog.html). The Confectionery Foundation provides a list of tours of candy manufacturing plants nationwide on its Web site, https://confectionlink.org/plan-trip.

Get part-time or summer work at a candy store or the candy department of a large store where you can learn what products are popular, how the candy is stored and handled, and how to package it for customers. If there is a candy manufacturer in your area, you may be able to get part-time or summer work as a helper while you are still in high school.

Read the RCI Blog (https://retailconfectionersinternational.blogspot.com) from Retail Confectioners International to learn more about the field.

Talk with confectionery industry workers about his or her career. Ask your school counselor to help arrange an interview. Suggested interview questions include: What made you want to enter this career? What do you like most and least about your job? How did you train for this field? What advice would you give to young people about preparing for the field and being successful on the job? How will advances in technology change the field? Perhaps you could also job-shadow a confectionery industry worker.