Nutrition Job Outlook

Haley LydstoneKeene State College Dietetic

Intern

Activity

• State your name

• Why did you choose to study nutrition?

• What field of nutrition are you interested in?

Summary of PresentationWhat is going on?

Factors that influence the job market

Career pathsRDNon-RDCertifications and Specialties

How can you make yourself marketable to potential employers?

What is going on?Factors that influence the nutrition job market

EconomyHealth care reformAging populationIncreasing chronic diseaseIncreased public awareness of

health and nutritionTechnology

Economy

Source: Economic Policy Institute http://www.epi.org/publication/new_college_grads_losing_ground_on_wages/

Entry Level Wages of Male and Female College Graduates 1979-2010

Economy

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Emphasis on preventionDevelop National Prevention StrategyCreate Prevention and Public Health FundSupport delivery of evidence-based

prevention and wellness services

Menu labeling – chain restaurants & vending machines

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation - www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/8061.pdf

Source: The state of aging and health in America 2007. www.cdc.gov/aging

Aging Population

Increase in Chronic Disease

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 2010

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Increase in Chronic Disease

Source: www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html

Increased Public Awareness

Source: www.usda.gov

Technology

35% of hiring managers use Google to do online background checks on job candidates

23% percent look people up on social networking sites.

About one-third of those Web searches lead to rejections, according to the survey.

Source: www.msnbc.com

Registered Dietitianand

Dietetic Technician, Registered

Registered Dietitian (RD)Bachelor’s degree in an ADA accredited program

Completes Supervised Practice/Dietetic Internship

Passes a national examination

Completes continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

About 50% of RDs hold advanced degrees. Some have specialty certifications.

Source: www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6713Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - www.bls.gov/oco/

RD Salary & Job OutlookAnnual Salary Range*

All RDs $48,006 - $69,992

Less than 5 years experience

$39,998 - $52,000

Job outlook is average– expected to grow 9% from 2008 to 2018

Source: www.bls.gov/oco/ and ADA Compensation and Benefits Survey, 2011*Salary ranges presented are 25th to 75th percentile and are based on a 40 hour work week.

Dietetic Technician, Registered DTR

New Eligibility Pathway III Students with Bachelor’s degree from approved program can sit for the DTR exam without logging 450 hours of supervised practice.

“DTRs work independently or as a team member under the supervision of registered dietitians in a variety of employment settings, including health care, business and industry, community/public health, foodservice and research.”

Annual Salary Range

All DTRs $34,278 - $47,736

Less than 5 years experience $29,723 - $38,958

Bachelor’s Degree $33,862 - $50,003

Other Certifications

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)

Certified Personal Trainer (ACE, ACSM)CPR/First AidCertified Dietary ManagerCertified Food Protection Professional

Non-RD Career Opportunities

Health Educator

Educates individuals/communities about health-related topics, such as nutrition. Puts programs together.

Good communication and public speaking skills. Being sensitive to cultural differences.

Bachelor's degree, a master's degree may be required for some positions.

Salary: $44,000

Job Outlook: Expected to grow by 18% through 2018

CHES – Certified Health Education Specialist

Wellness/Health CoachHealth and wellness seminars, develops health

education materials and customized care plans.

Take interest in others feelings and perspectives, strive to recognize and meet customer needs.

Bachelor’s degree in nutrition or other health related fields.

Salary: $59,000

Job Outlook: Expected to grow by 18% through 2018

Food Service Management• Daily operations involved in food

preparation/service, ensures customer satisfaction, oversees inventory and ordering, etc.

• Good communication and leadership skills. Being good at problem solving.

• Experience is an integral part of finding a food service management position, applicants with a degree are more competitive.

• Salary: $46,230

• Job Outlook: Expected to grow 5% through 2018

Food Scientist

Develop new or better ways to preserve, process, store, and deliver foods, analyze nutrient content in foods.

Oral and written communication, being able to communicate clearly and concisely.

Bachelor’s degree, advancement requires a master’s or doctoral degree.

Salary: $59,520

Job Outlook: Expected to grow by 16% through 2018

Sales RepresentativeSales reps describe their products, conduct

demonstrations, make customers interested purchasing their product(s).

Patience and perseverance, great communication skills, desire to sell their product, goal oriented, persuasive.

Scientific/technical product sales require a bachelor’s degree.

Salary: $70,200

Job Outlook: Expected to grow by 7% through 2018

Writer (Medical/Technical)Develop documentation about medical

procedures, products, equipment

Express ideas clearly and logically, creative, self-motivated.

Bachelor’s degree, science background.

Salary: $61,620 (if salaried)-many writers have other incomes

Job Outlook: Expected to grow 18% through 2018

Research AssistantDesigns and implements research

studies, performs independent research and conducts fieldwork.

Teamwork skills, ability to work with diverse populations.

Bachelor’s degree in nutrition or related field, masters or doctoral degree is sometimes required.

Salary: $43,000

Job Outlook: Expected to increase by 25% through 2018

Community Nutritionist (ex: WIC)

Provide nutrition education and counseling, teach nutrition classes, develop nutrition care plans.

Sensitivity to working with ethnically and culturally diverse individuals, good communication skills.

Bachelor’s degree.

Salary: $32,000

Job Outlook: Expected to increase 9% through 2018

What do supervisors look for in WIC Nutritionists?

Drive to help improve nutrition and health among our low-income population

Good communicator, comfortable speaking to a group

Computer skillsOrganized & able to work under pressure/time

constraintsEnjoys fast-paced environments**Culturally competent**Good listener and avoids judgment**Desire to help moms succeed at breastfeeding

Other PossibilitiesCertified Personal

Trainer

Food service technician

Health & Human Services (many government positions)

Author (books, cookbooks, etc.)

Food Safety & Quality Compliance Specialist/Food Safety Coordinator

Caterer

Workplace Wellness Specialist/Wellness Director

Recipe Tester

Restaurant Consultant

Health Speaker

Marketing Specialist

Research Chef

Dietary assistant

Experience is keyInternships Volunteer workTeaching AssistantJob shadowing (find out what you like

and what you don’t!)

• Contacts are vital• Be open to change

How can I make myself marketable to potential

employers?

What did you learn?

(1) Name two factors that influence today’s job market for nutrition professionals.

(2) Identify at least one non-RD career option.

(3) What is one way to make yourself more marketable?

Call to ActionResearch jobs that interest you

Be flexible

Talk with your advisors and other professionals already in the field

Seek out internships and volunteer opportunities to gain more experience

Thank You!

Questions/Comments

Non-RD Job Referenceswww.uwgb.edu/humbio/dietetics-

emphasis/index.asp

http://fcs.illinoisstate.edu/food_nutrition_dietetics/careers.shtml

www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/search/q-wic+nutritionist

www.bls.gov/oco