Career exploration is an important part of personal and professional growth. For students who are enrolled in nutrition and dietetics-related majors here at Life University (Life U), here is a helpful starter guide to get you thinking about possible career paths.

For more assistance with career exploration, please contact Life U Career Services. 

 

B.S. in Nutrition or M.S in Clinical Nutrition

Life U’s Nutrition Department is built on a neo-vitalistic view that what we eat can affect the entirety of our health. This applies to dealing with an illness, trying to live a healthier lifestyle, maximizing physical performance or simply cooking balanced meals for the week.

Possible Paths-

Nutritionist- Nutritionists are experts in the use of food and nutrition to promote health and manage disease. They plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to help people lead healthy lives. Nutritionists evaluate the health of their clients through nutrition assessment and diagnostic laboratory testing. Based on their findings, nutritionists advise clients on behavior modifications and provide personalized intervention plans, which include foods to eat—and which to avoid—to improve their health.


Agricultural or Food Scientist- It’s vital for the health of our communities that we understand the processes that go into producing our food and what exactly we are putting into our bodies. Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products.

Agricultural and food scientists play an important role in maintaining and expanding the nation’s food supply. Many work in basic or applied research and development. They seek to understand the biological and chemical processes by which crops and livestock grow. Applied research seeks to discover ways to improve the quality, quantity and safety of agriculture. There are many different subsets of this field, and it can be utilized in many different working environments. There are animal scientists, plant scientists, soil scientists and more.

This might suit someone who likes to be a leader and to travel outside of a traditional office, as many agricultural and food scientists work with little supervision, forming their own hypotheses and developing their research methods. In addition, they often lead teams of technicians or students who help in their research.


Food Scientist and Technologist- Food scientists use chemistry, microbiology, engineering and other sciences to study the principles involved in the processing and deterioration of foods. They analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar and protein. They also attempt to discover new food sources, as well as research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable and healthful. Lastly, they apply food science knowledge to determine the best ways to process, package, preserve, store and distribute food.

 

B.S. in Culinary Nutrition

Culinary nutrition is an exciting interdisciplinary research-based field with biochemical underpinnings that form a framework on which creative culinary professionals hang their artfully designed recipes while incorporating culinary science. The Bachelor of Science degree at Life U prepares students to respect food and the food system as an integral part of health and healing. Graduates will be able to merge an expertise built on culinary science with traditional business skills, such as entrepreneurship and technical writing, to lead the growing field that uses food restoratively and therapeutically to promote vibrant health and flavorful cuisine. Coursework focuses on culinary arts, functional nutrition, culinary nutrition, food science, sustainability, entrepreneurship and food service management.

Possible Paths-

Culinary Nutritionist- As stated by Learn.org, a culinary nutritionist needs to have an interest in food preparation and the components of food that provide nutrition. More than chefs or cooks, culinary nutritionists are knowledgeable about fat, calories, proteins, vitamins and other nutrients in food.

Culinary nutritionists are experts on the nutritional aspects of food, and they use their expertise to advise individuals and groups on how to maintain health or meet specific health goals, like weight loss or chronic disease management, through a healthy diet plan. They begin by assessing the dietary and budgetary needs of their clients, and then they design meal plans based on their findings.


Food Service Manager- Having a profound understanding of nutritional needs can serve as a major bolster for a career in food service. Food service managers are responsible for the daily operation of restaurants or other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages. They direct staff to ensure that customers are satisfied with their dining experience. Most importantly, they manage the business to ensure that it runs efficiently. 


Chef- In our ever-growing healthy conscious landscape, chefs who can create food that is nutritious, healthful and delicious prove to be a valuable commodity. Chefs oversee the daily food preparation at restaurants and other places where food is served. They direct kitchen staff and handle any food-related concerns. Chefs who run their own restaurant or catering business are often busy with kitchen and office work. Some chefs use social media to promote their business by advertising new menu items or addressing patrons’ reviews.

 

B.S in Dietetics

Dietitians are experts in the use of food and nutrition to promote health and manage disease. The mission of Life University’s program is to provide diverse, didactic courses in biological, nutrition and dietetics science, as well as to facilitate practical experience for students to equip graduates for a variety of careers. As a Bachelor of Science student in Dietetics, you will study in a highly competitive program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), an agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, alongside students and faculty who share your passion. Through classroom, kitchen lab and field training, program majors are prepared to earn their Registered Dietitian credentials and may work as clinical health professionals in hospitals, nursing care facilities, correctional facilities and outpatient settings, as well as in consultation with individual patients

Possible Paths-

Registered Dietitian- As expanded on by org, a registered dietitian is a professional who has training and education in food and nutrition. In order to have this distinction, someone must have completed certain requirements, namely holding a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an institution that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; completed an ACEND-accredited internship; and passed a national examination given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Registered dietitians advise people on what they should eat in order to achieve healthier lifestyles or health goals.

 

Clinical Dietitian- Clinical dietitians provide medical nutrition therapy. They create customized nutritional programs based on the health needs of clients and counsel clients on how to improve their health through nutrition. Clinical dietitians may further specialize, for example, by working only with people who have kidney disease, diabetes, digestive disorders or other specific conditions. They work in institutions such as hospitals, long-term care facilities and clinics, as well as in private practice.

 

Community Dietitian- Community dietitians develop programs and counsel the public on topics related to food, health and nutrition. They often work with specific groups of people, such as adolescents or the elderly. They work in public health clinics, government and nonprofit agencies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and other settings.

 

Management Dietitian- Management dietitians plan food programs. They may be responsible for buying food and for carrying out other business-related tasks, such as budgeting. Management dietitians may oversee kitchen staff or other dietitians. They work in food service settings such as cafeterias, hospitals, prisons and schools.

 

 

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