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What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition?
I am an incoming freshman at UC Berkeley and will be majoring in nutritional science.
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6 answers
Updated
Stacey’s Answer
Hi there - I took the very long path to becoming a dietitian so I held several jobs with only my bachelors in nutrition. I worked as a food service coordinator at hospital where I oversaw kitchen staff. I worked as a nutrition educator for a federal grant program focusing on SNAP education in the county I lived. I also worked for an extension program through a university in the state I live in, teaching life skills including cooking and food safety. I could have continued this job and financially supported myself long-term. Even though I ended up pursuing my masters in public health, completed a dietetic internship and ended up pursuing a career as a dietitian - there are other options for your future.
Julia Hayes MS, RD, LD
Nutrition and Health Services Program Coordinator and Long Term Care RD Consultant
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Julia’s Answer
Hi Helen!
Congrats on your acceptance and upcoming start at UC Berkeley! I am a current Registered Dietitian - I received my bachelors degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and my masters in Community Nutrition. I've been practicing now for two and a half years. There are endless paths you can take with a degree in Nutritional Science. One consideration that many nutrition students have is whether they want to become a Registered Dietitian. Depending on your program, it may or may not be a DPD (Didactic Program in Dietetics - meaning the program is accredited and the student is eligible to continue on the path towards becoming an RD through a Dietetic Internship. To learn more check out this resource: https://www.eatrightpro.org/about-us/become-an-rdn-or-dtr/high-school-students/5-steps-to-become-a-registered-dietitian-nutritionist . Deciding whether or not you want to become an RD is a personal choice. You will find good points arguing either way depending on what type of career you aspire to. Some general areas of work of an RD include:
Research - The value of an RD is that they apply evidence-based practices and continue to stay updated with the latest recommendations and findings to best support their clients, patients, or specific practice. Some RDs enjoy actually leading and supporting the research itself! This can be done in a variety of settings.
Sports dietetics - Although somewhat of a niche role for RDs, sports dietitians are found working for university athletics, professional sports teams, or gyms including rehab and sports training facilities.
Clinical settings - A majority of new RDs enter into the workforce in clinical settings like hospitals and long term care facilities (nursing homes). They work closely with food service and are part of the interdisciplinary team supporting the clinical care of patients and residents.
Outpatient settings - Many RDs also enter into the field through the outpatient setting providing specialized care in areas including bariatrics, diabetes, eating disorders, tube feeding, WIC, and oncology.
Retail - RDs can be found in the corporate setting for major food companies and grocery stores. They can also be found "on the ground" at certain grocery store chains providing nutrition education and counseling to people in the community.
Media - Working in media is a great way for RDs with a knack for writing and presenting to use their skills and get nutrition information to the public. Copy writing is always needed and lots of companies look for nutrition professionals to act as spokespeople to support their products or share their information with the public.
Culinary practice - RDs with an interest in cooking or baking can enter into the culinary field as chefs or dietary managers.
Food service management - Food service managers or clinical nutrition managers can be found in the hospital setting and are often RDs who rather manage from above than provide direct patient services.
For more information on all the different career opportunities for RDs you can check out this resource: https://www.allaccessdietetics.com/dietitian-dream-jobs/
If the RD path is not for you there are plenty of nutrition and health related jobs that do not require the credentials. I've seen jobs listings for roles in health departments, health insurance companies, and community nutrition and health related NGOs or food banks.
Another consideration is that some who start out studying nutrition do not always end up in the same field. I have known many students who started in nutrition and found a better fit in nursing, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy.
Overall, I believe Nutritional Science is a great degree that you can make work for lots of opportunities. I hope this information helps and wish you the best in your studies!
- Julia
Congrats on your acceptance and upcoming start at UC Berkeley! I am a current Registered Dietitian - I received my bachelors degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and my masters in Community Nutrition. I've been practicing now for two and a half years. There are endless paths you can take with a degree in Nutritional Science. One consideration that many nutrition students have is whether they want to become a Registered Dietitian. Depending on your program, it may or may not be a DPD (Didactic Program in Dietetics - meaning the program is accredited and the student is eligible to continue on the path towards becoming an RD through a Dietetic Internship. To learn more check out this resource: https://www.eatrightpro.org/about-us/become-an-rdn-or-dtr/high-school-students/5-steps-to-become-a-registered-dietitian-nutritionist . Deciding whether or not you want to become an RD is a personal choice. You will find good points arguing either way depending on what type of career you aspire to. Some general areas of work of an RD include:
Research - The value of an RD is that they apply evidence-based practices and continue to stay updated with the latest recommendations and findings to best support their clients, patients, or specific practice. Some RDs enjoy actually leading and supporting the research itself! This can be done in a variety of settings.
Sports dietetics - Although somewhat of a niche role for RDs, sports dietitians are found working for university athletics, professional sports teams, or gyms including rehab and sports training facilities.
Clinical settings - A majority of new RDs enter into the workforce in clinical settings like hospitals and long term care facilities (nursing homes). They work closely with food service and are part of the interdisciplinary team supporting the clinical care of patients and residents.
Outpatient settings - Many RDs also enter into the field through the outpatient setting providing specialized care in areas including bariatrics, diabetes, eating disorders, tube feeding, WIC, and oncology.
Retail - RDs can be found in the corporate setting for major food companies and grocery stores. They can also be found "on the ground" at certain grocery store chains providing nutrition education and counseling to people in the community.
Media - Working in media is a great way for RDs with a knack for writing and presenting to use their skills and get nutrition information to the public. Copy writing is always needed and lots of companies look for nutrition professionals to act as spokespeople to support their products or share their information with the public.
Culinary practice - RDs with an interest in cooking or baking can enter into the culinary field as chefs or dietary managers.
Food service management - Food service managers or clinical nutrition managers can be found in the hospital setting and are often RDs who rather manage from above than provide direct patient services.
For more information on all the different career opportunities for RDs you can check out this resource: https://www.allaccessdietetics.com/dietitian-dream-jobs/
If the RD path is not for you there are plenty of nutrition and health related jobs that do not require the credentials. I've seen jobs listings for roles in health departments, health insurance companies, and community nutrition and health related NGOs or food banks.
Another consideration is that some who start out studying nutrition do not always end up in the same field. I have known many students who started in nutrition and found a better fit in nursing, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy.
Overall, I believe Nutritional Science is a great degree that you can make work for lots of opportunities. I hope this information helps and wish you the best in your studies!
- Julia
Updated
Marcela’s Answer
Hi Helen,
You could use your Bachelor`s degree in Nutrition to work in Public Health.
Public health nutritionists have a rewarding career path, where we never stop learning and work to protect, promote, and improve people`s health.
You could contact your local Department of Health to find out about their available programs (WIC, Community Health, Outreach, Health education, Health equity, etc.) and get involved in supporting your community.
Best regards,
Marcela M.
You could use your Bachelor`s degree in Nutrition to work in Public Health.
Public health nutritionists have a rewarding career path, where we never stop learning and work to protect, promote, and improve people`s health.
You could contact your local Department of Health to find out about their available programs (WIC, Community Health, Outreach, Health education, Health equity, etc.) and get involved in supporting your community.
Best regards,
Marcela M.
Updated
Devon’s Answer
Check out Laurent Bannock's podcast "We Do Science". There are plenty of discussion points on where a nutritional scientist or practitioner can be utilized. It is an incredibly exciting work in athletics, in my experience. There is also the research component that can be intriguing to some.
Updated
GIRISH’s Answer
I encourage you to become a regular visitor to nutritionfacts.org, making a commitment to read at least one article every day for the rest of your life. This is a fantastic way to begin your journey. Don't worry if you're not a vegan or if you don't adhere to a vegan diet. This site offers a wealth of free information on nutrition that everyone can benefit from. The author, Dr. Greger, has penned at least four books that you should definitely check out from your local library. Make sure to read them thoroughly. He also provides highly informative videos that are only 2-5 minutes long.
If you're considering a career, Functional and Integrative nutrition are excellent choices. I recommend you to visit IFM.ORG for more information.
For further knowledge and potential certification, do a quick Google search for "forks and knives" and "ACLM".
Best regards,
Girish Kalva, MD
If you're considering a career, Functional and Integrative nutrition are excellent choices. I recommend you to visit IFM.ORG for more information.
For further knowledge and potential certification, do a quick Google search for "forks and knives" and "ACLM".
Best regards,
Girish Kalva, MD
Updated
Zachary’s Answer
I personally have no experience with this but I would talk to the professors, the person that runs the gym on campus the local gyms, reddit forums look on indeed and see people that are nutritionists and see what they studied/ where they worked before getting to where they are. Start with google and dig a little. Also there is a gentleman by Randy Santel that does a lot of food competitions has a youtube/ facebook channel for it but is also going to school for dietetics and nutritional science and speaks a lot about his experience, and is very responsive to people reaching out so I would reach out and just pick his brain about who to talk to etc.
Since you are a freshman I would just try and immerse yourself in each and every class explore the bigger picture of nutritional science because there are so many pieces that shape it, and see if something jumps out, a process that is effortless and gets you excited about it, etc.
Since you are a freshman I would just try and immerse yourself in each and every class explore the bigger picture of nutritional science because there are so many pieces that shape it, and see if something jumps out, a process that is effortless and gets you excited about it, etc.