Nutrition Career

Q:
Dear Susan,

Thank you for sharing your passion for good nutrition via your blog.

I am in the early stages of a transition towards a nutrition career (from that of a number-cruncher) and I was hoping you could share any further insights into how you chose a graduate program and how you made the decision to become a RD (as opposed to getting a masters in nutrition only).

The 2 challenges that I perceive, and that you may have also dealt with, are (1) my lack of undergraduate science education, and (2) how to reconcile my interest in the holistic aspect of nutrition with the “conventional” graduate RD programs that are commonly available. Which school did you attend, and do you feel like it adequately prepared you for your PCRM job or the position at the holistic health clinic that you were considering? I’m drawn to graduate programs like at Tufts and Cornell, but I wonder if it’s more science than I need, especially considering that I’m currently struggling through my prerequisite General Chemistry class.

I also feel like I would be pursuing the RD, purely for the credential, and not necessarily for the clinical training. Do you feel like your training was anywhere in line with your beliefs about how nutritional advice should be administered?

Other schools that I’m considering are Bastyr, NYU, and UC Davis. I’m currently in Los Angeles, but the local programs don’t inspire me at all.

I’d really appreciate any thoughts you might have. It’s reading stories like yours that really keeps me motivated!

Best,

Edie

p.s. Looking forward to some new posts!>

A:
Tough tough questions, Edie. This is such a personal decision. However, I'm afraid if you aren't interested or very good at science, you in trouble. There's a lot of science involved in dietetics, true, maybe not organic chemistry, but certainly things like anatomy and physiology. So be warned. If you are looking for a program that avoids science then you will probably find not such a reputable program.

I went to Bastyr because I needed to be somewhere where vegan diets were accepted. I was in no mood to defend my beliefs throughout graduate school, although it would have been cheaper to suck it up at a state school.

I finally did have to accept that I needed a lot of schooling prior to grad school. Three years it took me to get through all that stuff! Three years and then three more of grad school plus internship. Ready for that? I had a BA from UNC, which was totally useless for my new goals.

I did the RD because it's a safety net. I have moved around a lot in my day and didn't know where the heck I would end up. Some places are more conservative than others, and I have a fondness for the South. That could have spelled trouble. For me, the RD was worth it.

I do know others, however, who did not do the RD and have been very successful. This would be good for folks who know exactly where they will be laying their hats for decades to come.

Cornell (one of my PCRM co-workers went there for her nutrition undergrad) and Tufts (we had an intern from this program) are awesome as are the other schools you mentioned. You will appreciate all the science background once you are out and about. It's extremely helpful!

Since you asked about PCRM, I don't think they would have hired me without the RD, so, even open-minded organizations like mainstream credentials.

Hope that helps. Sorry for the long long delay. -Susan

Comments

[Jen]

I'm a nutrition major on the verge of graduating and came across this post. I want to add to Edie: don't give up hope if you're struggling through general chemistry! Most people in my gen chem classes had a rough time but did fine in the other science classes. I think gen chem is tough for most because of all the math; there's barely any math in the other science classes, it's more conceptual.

As for whether or not to get the RD... It depends what you want to do and what state you want to do it in. If you want to work in a facility (hospital, school, etc) than you will (most likely) need an RD. Having an RD affords you a lot of flexibility in the job market.

However, if you want to do private counseling, some states don't require a license (or, some only require a license for "dietician" but not for "nutritionist"). There are lots of jobs where you don't need an RD but would need the science background such as working in the supplement industry or in food science.

I'm a strong student (3.8 GPA) with a firm holistic background/philosophy. I have to say, I have not at all enjoyed my nutrition program or the science background. Having to bite the bullet and go along with conventional medical dogma has been extremely difficult for me. When I left my career as a graphic designer to go back to school, I thought a "nutritionist" was someone who tells you what supplements to take, and counsels people on what eating pattern is best; I thought the program would be focused on prevention and wellness. I have come to realize that a "dietician" doesn't believe in supplements, and is more about doing the minimum to keep someone from dying than achieving optimal wellness. (At least, at my university) After 3+ years of soul crushing science and nutrition classes, I feel I am only qualified to tell someone to eat according to the food pyramid.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have gone to Bastyr. I think that is the only school in the country where I would have learned what I wanted to learn.

Good luck.