Volunteer in hospitals or nursing homes to gain experience working with patients or the elderly.
Develop excellent communication skills and learn to work well on a team.
Plan to earn the Registered Dietitian credential.
Several years experience and possibly a graduate degree are required for specialties such as pediatrics, renal, or oncology.
Area:
Community and Public Health Nutrition
Sub-Area:
Health Promotion
Education
Program Planning and Implementation
Administration
Counseling
Consultation
Employers:
Public health departments
Home health agencies
Social service agencies
Community centers
Federal, state, and local government
Daycare centers
Health and recreation clubs
Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
Community health organizations
Strategies & Information:
Participate in campus health promotion or wellness education programs.
Earn a master's degree in nutrition, public health, or related field to increase job opportunities.
Develop strong presentation and public speaking skills.
Learn to work well with people of varying socioeconomic and racial backgrounds.
Seek experiences in the public health arena.
Research government application procedures.
Area:
Food Service Management
Sub-Area:
Menu Planning
Budgeting
Purchasing
Food Preparation
Personnel Management
Food Safety Management
Employers:
Hospitals
Schools
Colleges and universities
Company cafeterias
Correctional facilities
Camps
Restaurants
Hotels
Strategies & Information:
Obtain work experience in any large-scale food service operation such as campus cafeterias. Move into supervisory positions if given the opportunity.
Take business courses and develop strong computer skills.
Get involved in campus organizations and seek leadership roles.
Learn how to relate to a wide variety of people and to work well in a team environment.
Area:
Federal Government
Sub-Area:
Clinical Dietetics
Nutrition Education and Teaching
Administration
Program Management
Research
Employers:
Army
Navy
Air Force
National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)
US Department of Health and Human Services:
Indian Health Service
Food and Drug Administration
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
National Center for Health Statistics
Health Resources and Services Administration:
Maternal and Child Health Bureau
National Institutes of Health
US Department of Agriculture:
Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Veterans Health Administration
Peace Corps
AmeriCorps VISTA
Strategies & Information:
Pursue internships in government agencies.
Research federal government application procedures.
Maintain a strong grade point average.
Earn a master's degree for advancement in research, administration, or public health nutrition.
Assist a faculty member with nutrition research.
Area:
Consulting
Sub-Area:
Nutrition Consulting
Menu Development
Food Preparation and Safety
Nutrition Counseling
Weight Management: Adult and Pediatric
Teaching
Health Promotion and Programming
Writing
Employers:
Private practice
Consulting to:
Physicians' offices
Weight loss clinics
Nursing homes
Health clubs and spas
Corporate wellness programs
Restaurants and chefs
Catering services
Grocery stores
Food manufacturers
Food service managers
Sports teams and athletes
Health-related magazines and Internet sites
Newspapers
Strategies & Information:
Gain experience and expertise in a specialty area of nutrition.
Earn additional certifications in fields such as fitness and athletic training or adult and pediatric weight management.
Find a need in the community and fill it. An entrepreneurial spirit is required!
Be prepared to work in several areas at one time.
Develop excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Learn how to promote oneself.
Area:
Industry
Sub-Area:
Research
Product Development
Sensory Evaluation
Quality Assurance
Marketing
Sales
Customer Service
Consumer Food Science
Employers:
Food manufacturers
Food vendors and distributors
Special food services
Pharmaceutical companies
Health-related businesses
Weight loss programs
Restaurant and hotel chains
Public relations firms with food industry accounts
Strategies & Information:
Supplement curriculum with courses in business administration, marketing, or advertising.
Develop strong written and verbal communication skills.
Get involved in research and gain technical experience.
Seek leadership roles in campus organizations.
Area:
Education
Sub-Area:
Teaching
Research
Employers:
Colleges and universities
Community and technical schools
Nursing, medical, dental, and health sciences schools
Teaching hospitals
Strategies & Information:
Earn a master's degree for instructor positions or a doctorate for tenure track professorships.
Serve as a tutor or peer mentor on campus. Learn to work well with a variety of people.
Gain research experience by assisting professors.
Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations.
General Information and Strategies
Most positions require the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential. Become an RD through an accredited bachelor's or master's program followed by an approved, supervised internship. RD's must also pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
Research indvidual state requirements for licensure or certification to practice dietetics.
Scientific aptitude is required to successfully earn a degree in nutrition. Basic sciences play a large role in this discipline.
One should enjoy helping people, working with healthcare professionals, and have an interest in good health, nutrition, and fitness. Get involved in campus wellness or peer health educator programs to gain experience.
Volunteer in hospitals or nursing care centers to test interests.
The ability to work independently and as part of a team is important in this field.
Clients may be seen individually or in groups. Learn the fundamentals of human relations and group dynamics.
Strong communication skills are necessary to interact effectively with patients and healthcare professionals. Develop good interviewing and counseling techniques.
Over half of dietitians and nutritionists work in hospitals, nursing homes, or physicians' offices.
Research, public health, and advanced clinical positions require a graduate degree.
