Career Preparation
In This Section:
A nutritional sciences degree can be the foundation for career opportunites in areas such as:
- Clinical Dietetics
- Food & Nutrition Management
- Public Health Nutrition
- Education and Research
- Consultant / Private Practice
- Related Health Professionals (e.g. MD, PA, etc.)
- Business and Industry
- Media
- International Food Organizations
- Public Policy / Government
Further information on each of these categories is listed below. Contact your academic advisor for more information about recommended courses to prepare for these careers.
Clinical Dietetics
- Hospitals long term care, and outpatient settings
- Many specialties (pediatric, renal, diabetes, nutrition support, etc.)
RD generally required
American Dietetic Association (ADA) 2006 salary survey: median = $43,260
Food & Nutrition Management
- Hospitals, long term care, businesses, schools (contract service management)
- Work with chefs or at spas
- Consult regarding healthy choices on menu
ADA 2006 salary survey: median = $57,700
Public Health Nutrition
- Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
- Public Health Department with state and county agencies
- Cooperative Extension
- Congregate Meals program
ADA 2006 salary survey: median = $43,000
Without RD the salary is lower, but jobs are available
Education and Research
- College, university, health professional school & culinary school
- Teach K-12 (requires further course work)
- Create and write curriculum for state board of education, Dairy Council, Cooperative Extension
- Worksite wellness--teach nutrition, exercise, fitness and other health promotion to employees
- Manage or assist with clinical protocols, interventions, or clinical
trials
Advanced degrees are usually required for research and university based jobs. RD credential frequently preferred, but not required.
ADA 2006 salary survey: median = $57,900
Consultant / Private Practice
- Private practice consultation to hospitals and long term care facilities on hourly or "job" basis
- Client counseling for weight management, eating disorders, sports nutrition, diabetes management, etc. from either physician referrals and/or advertisements
- Write cookbooks, educational programs, or articles for local newspapers or specialty magazines
- Food photography
- Consult at health clubs / spas as a personal trainer-nutritionist
RD generally required for patient counseling
ADA 2006 salary survey: median = $51,700
Related Health Professionals
Use your nutrition degree and skills for a career in a health related profession
- Chiropractor (DC)
- Dentist (DDS)
- Naturopathic Doctor (ND)
- Physical Therapist (PT)
- Physician (MD or DO)
- Physician Assistant (PA)
- Podiatrist (DP)
- Veterinarian (DVM)
Additional post-bacelaurate schooling is required
Business and Industry
Careers in business and industry include jobs such as sales, marketing, public relations, research and development (labeling, recipes & product informtation) and production quality control.
- Food (eg. Cambell Soup, Kraft Foods, Proctor & Gamble)
- Information Technology (eg. CBORD, Compu-Cal, Computrition, ESHA Research, First DataBank)
- Nutritionals (eg. Mead Johnson, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Novartis Nutrition, Ross Products)
- Nutraceuticals (eg. Archer Daniels Midland, Cooke Pharma, GeniSoy Products)
- Pharmaceutical (eg. Eli Lily, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Pfizer)
- Food Service Equipment (eg. Diversey Lever, Ecolab, Hamilton Beach Commercial, Hobart)
- Food Service Contract Management (eg. Aramark Healthcare, Morrison Management, Sodexho)
- Food Service Vendors (eg. Precision Foods, Super Bakery, Sysco, US Foodservice)
- Medical Equipment (eg. Bodystat, HealtheTech, Johnson & Johnson)
- Trade Associations (eg. Cranberry Institute, Dairy Council, Peanut Institute, Pork Producers)
Media
- Commodity groups (trade associations) hire public relations firms
- Radio, TV, newspaper and magazines are a major source of nutrition education for the public
- Cooperative Extension agents often write for the local media
International Food Organizations
- Peace Corps
- Non-governmental organizations such as CARE, Food for the Hungry, or World Relief
- United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization
- US AID (Agency for International Development)
- Multi-national corporation
- Consulting and research collaboration
Public Policy / Government
- Staff resource to legislator
- Government agency--USDA, FDA, NIH, etc.
- Health care reform
- Supplement labels
- Regulatory
- Lobbyist in state or federal government