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[an error occurred while processing this directive] Career Opportunities for Majors in Nutritional Sciences

Introduction

A major in nutritional sciences provides students with a strong foundation in biology, biochemistry, and physiology as well as the sociological and psychological dimensions of human nutrition. Undergraduate training in nutrition can lead to careers in industry, hospitals, schools, colleges, government agencies, and clinics. A nutrition degree can also provide a sound background for those intending to go to graduate school in any of the life sciences or the health professions. The Department of Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers provides options in Dietetics, Nutrition, and Food Service Administration.

The Dietetics option is appropriate for students seeking careers as clinical dietitians, nutritionists, health educators, and consumer specialists in food and nutrition. People with this study option engage in such activities as assessing patients' nutritional needs, developing and implementing nutritional programs and evaluating patients' progress. Most positions are available at hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and health maintenance programs. Upon completing coursework, students must apply for a 9-12 month internship or AP4 program to prepare for the examination to become a registered dietitian (RD).

The Nutrition option offers a solid background for those considering graduate training in the health or life sciences. Students are also prepared for entry-level research positions in the biomedical and nutritional biochemistry fields; other positions are in academic research centers, pharmaceutical companies, medical centers, and government agencies.

The Food Service Administration option provides training for careers involving large scale meal planning in hospitals, hotels, company cafeterias, prisons, schools, and other large institutions. Responsibilities typically include the supervision of food service workers, budgeting, purchasing and preparing reports.

Regardless of the option chosen, a background in nutrition can also provide business-related opportunities in such fields as employee wellness, human resources, marketing, general management, customer service, and sales. 



A Sample of Related Occupations

Athletic Counselor Food Scientist Public Health Administrator
Brewery Process Supervisor Food Technologist Quality Control Manager
Caterer Health Educator Registered Dietitian
Chef Home Economist Research Dietitian
Community Agency Worker Hospital Dietitian Restaurant Manager
Consulting Dietitian Nurse Sales Representative
Consumer Advocate Nutrition Journalist Teacher/Professor
Cooperative Extension Agent Nutritionist Technical Writer
Food and Drug Inspector Peace Corps Worker Therapist
Food Buyer Pharmaceutical Sales Rep. Weight Reduction Specialist
Food Distributor Physician  



Types of Employers

Private & Non-profit Organizations
Athletic Clubs Freezing Plants Private Practice Offices
Breweries Health Clubs Publishers
Colleges and Universities Health Maintenance Organizations Research Laboratories
Cooking Schools Hospitals / Healthe Clinics Resorts / Hotels
Food Distributors Magazines / Newspapers Restaurants / Cafeterias
Food Manufacturers Nursing Homes/Retirement Communities School Systems
Food Services  Pharmaceutical Companies   

Government Agencies
Consumer Affairs Departments Head Start  US Department of Agriculture 
County Extension Services Peace Corps US Food & Drug Administration
Department of Corrections School Lunch Programs US Public Health Service
Departments of Health Senior Citizen Nutrition Projects WIC (Women Infants Children) Program



Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates

First Jobs of Recent Graduates  
Associate Food Technician, Best Foods Medical Platoon Leader, US Army
Dietetic Intern, UMDNJ Nutritionist, WIC (Women, Infants & Children)
Dietitian Assistant, Raritan Bay Medical Center Quality Assurance Technician, Polaner
Food Scientist, Pepsico Research Assistant, M&M Mars
Food Technologist, Celentano Inc. Research Assistant, Rutgers University
Lab Technician, FMC Corporation Research Assistant, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals
Management Trainee, Hanover Foods  Weight Loss Counselor, Jenny Craig

Jobs of Experienced Alumni  
Assistant Director, Food Service Oprs., Fair Oaks Hospital Investigator, Food & Drug Administration 
Clinical Dietitian, Hahnemann Hospital Nutrition Ctr. Nutrition & Food Consultant, Self Employed (PhD Biochemistry/Nutrition)
Consultant, ECS Nutritional Services (Grad. work in Hospital Admin.) Osteopathic Physician, Private Practice (MD)
Director of Day Care Center, Twenty-One Plus Outpatient Dietitian, USA-Meddac (graduate work in Nutrition)
Director of Nursing, Greenwood Health Care Center (RN) Pediatric Dietician, Monmouth Medical Ctr. (MS Human Nutrition & Foods)
Health Care Nutritionist, St. James Hospital Professor of Nutrition, Univ. of Georgia (PhD Nutrition)
Health Counselor, Diets Made to Order Psychiatrist, Beth Israel Medical Center (MD)
Home Economics Program Leader, Cornell Cooperative Extension (MS Education) School Lunch Program Administrator, New Brunswick Board of Education
Home Economics Teacher, Woodbridge School System Teacher/Administrator, NJ State Department of Education (MS Biology/Nutrition)



Graduate Schools Attended

Virginia Tech, MS, Nutrition

 



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Last Updated: 05/10/2009

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