AREAS
CLINICAL
Clinical
Nutrition
EMPLOYERS
Hospitals
Health centers and clinics
Home
health providers
Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
Nursing
homes
Residential care centers
Dialysis centers
Diabetes care
clinics
Exercise and fitness centers
STRATEGIES
Volunteer in hospitals or nursing homes to
gain experience working with patients or the elderly. Plan to earn the Hospital
Registered Dietitian credential. Several years experience and possibly a
graduate degree are required for specialties such as pediatrics, gerontology,
sports, or critical care.
AREAS
COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH
NUTRITION
Health Promotion
Education
Program Planning and
Implementation
Administration
Counseling
Consultation
EMPLOYERS
Public and home health agencies
Social
service agencies
Community centers
Federal, state, and local
government
Daycare centers
Health and recreation clubs
Health
maintenance organizations (HMO's)
STRATEGIES
Gain extensive clinical experience before
pursuing public health. Earn a master's degree for more opportunities. Seek
experiences in the public health arena. Learn government application procedures.
Develop strong presentation and public speaking skills. Learn to work well with
all types of people.
AREAS
FOOD SERVICE
MANAGEMENT
Menu Planning
Budgeting
Purchasing
Food
Preparation
Personnel Management
EMPLOYERS
Hospitals
Schools
Colleges and
universities
Company cafeterias
Correctional
facilities
Camps
Restaurants
Hotels
STRATEGIES
Obtain work experience in any large-scale food
service operation such as campus cafeterias. Take business courses and develop
strong computer skills.
Seek supervisory roles to gain experience.
AREAS
FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT
Clinical Dietetics
Nutrition Education and
Teaching
Administration
Research
EMPLOYERS
Army
Navy
Air Force
NASA (National
Aeronautics & Space Administration)
US Public Health Service: Indian
Health Service, Food & Drug Administration, National Center for Health
Statistics, Centers for Disease Control, Bureau of Health Care and Delivery,
National Institutes of Health
US Department of Agriculture: WIC (Supplemental
Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children)
Veterans Administration
Hospitals
Peace Corps and VISTA
STRATEGIES
Learn federal government application
procedures. Earn a Master's degree for advancement in research or
administration. Pursue internships in government agencies. Maintain a strong
grade point average.
AREAS
CONSULTING
Diet
Counseling
Education and
Programming
Writing
EMPLOYERS
Private
practice
Physicians' offices
Weight loss clinics
Nursing
homes
Health clubs and spas
Restaurants
Catering services
Food
manufacturers
Sports teams
Health-related magazines and Internet
sites
Newspapers
STRATEGIES
Gain experience and expertise in a specialty
area of nutrition. Earn additional certifications in fields such as fitness or
athletic training. 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.
AREAS
INDUSTRY
Research
Product Development
Sensory
Evaluation
Quality Assurance
Marketing
Sales
Customer
Service
Consumer Food Science
EMPLOYERS
Food manufacturers
Pharmaceutical
companies
Health-related businesses
Weight loss programs
Restaurant and
hotel chains
Public relations firms with food industry accounts
STRATEGIES
Supplement curriculum with courses in business
administration, marketing, or advertising. Develop strong written and verbal
communication skills. Gain computer expertise. Seek leadership roles in campus
organizations.
AREAS
TEACHING
Teaching
Research
EMPLOYERS
Colleges and universities
Community and
technical schools
Nursing, medical, and dental schools
Teaching
hospitals
Medical centers
Government agencies
Food and pharmaceutical
companies
STRATEGIES
Earn a master's degree for instructor
positions or a doctorate for tenure track professorships. Earn a graduate degree
for advancement in research positions.
Gain research experience by assisting
professors. Develop strong communication skills.
GENERAL INFORMATION
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. The
Registration Examination for Dietitians is also required.
Some states require licensure or certification to practice dietetics.
One should enjoy helping people and working with healthcare professionals and have an interest in good health, nutrition, and fitness.
Scientific aptitude is required to successfully earn a degree in nutrition. Basic sciences play a large role in nutrition.
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.
Effective communication skills are important.
Develop 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.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of
Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section
504/ADA/ADEA Employer