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Career Exploration

Dietitians and Nutritionists

Also called: Clinical Dietitian, Dietitian, Nutritionist, Registered Dietitian

What they do:

Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.

On the job, you would:
  • Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
  • Evaluate laboratory tests in preparing nutrition recommendations.
  • Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
On the job, you'll need:

Math and Science

  • biology
  • psychology

Health

  • medicine and dentistry
  • therapy and counseling

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Business

  • customer service

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • understanding people's reactions
  • looking for ways to help people

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • notice when problems happen

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Social

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

  • Integrity
  • Concern for Others
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Analytical Thinking

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Desktop communications software

  • Skype

Analytical or scientific software

  • Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro
  • Monash University Low FODMAP Diet App

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $66,450

Education

Certificate after college or master's degree is usually needed.