A Registered Dietitian's Role in Society: Job Profile of a Nutritionist

Today, there are many options available for us when we get hungry. There are countless grocers, orchards, markets and restaurants within any given city. We can fry, bake, broil, sauté or grill our food. But how do we know where to eat? What to eat? The best way to prepare a meal? We learn the answers to these questions with the help of dietitians.

According to O*Net Online, a web site exploring various aspects of careers, including the knowledge needed for and the wages of certain jobs, dietitians, also called nutritionists, are trained professionals who plan and conduct food services to promote health and limit disease. They work in a variety of places, such as hospitals, restaurants, clinics, and schools. They advise clients on proper nutritional requirements and prepare menus for individuals with health complications. In short, dietitians help individuals eat what is best for them to maintain optimal health (Summary Report).

According to bls.gov, another career exploration website, employment opportunities for dietitians are expected to grow faster than the average. Over the next few years, the wages for these jobs are expected to increase, since an interest in nutrition is becoming so important in our country due to the obesity epidemic and the need for disease prevention. In the United States today the median wage for dietitians and nutritionists is $44,400 a year. The hourly wage is $21.34. The median wage in Ohio is the same as it is nationwide.

There are many career opportunities for dietitians. These opportunities are divided into four categories. The first, clinical, are opportunities that take place in nursing homes and hospitals. There dietitians assess patients' needs, and make specialized diets for renal, diabetic, and obese patients, for example. Secondly are community opportunities, in which dietitians work to enrich the health of the community. Job opportunities in this category may include work at a public health clinic, preparing literature on the importance of having certain nutrients in the diet. Next are jobs in the management field. Here, dietitians may oversee the food served for large facilities like prisons or schools. They make sure the food is prepared safely and sanitarily. They also make budgets, so that food and cooking supplies can be adequately purchased. Last are the consultant dietitians, or those who work in private practices. Here dietitians will work one-on-one with clients. For example, athletes may hire a personal dietitian to show them the proper diet for training for their sport, or a diet to maximize their energy (Dietitians and Nutritionists).

In addition to learning about the salaries and opportunities available to dietitians, the career exploration website informed me of the skills needed for this profession. Dietitians must have good computer skills, must be able to communicate efficiently with others, and must have good time management skills. In addition to extensive knowledge of nutrition, they must also have knowledge of biochemistry and statistics (Summary Report).

I became interested in the dietetics field for two reasons. My first reason has to do with my mother, who has been diabetic since the age of eight. She has been very successful at managing her blood sugar levels, and is therefore quite mindful of what she eats. I am aware of the many complications diabetics face when they do not maintain an adequate blood sugar. I would like to help diabetics learn how to manage their disease, so complications like kidney failure and blindness do not occur. My interest for nutrition peaked during junior high school. I was slightly overweight, and lost about twenty pounds after cutting out sweets from my diet. In order to maintain my weight loss, I had to watch what I ate, and I learned what foods are low in calories and which foods should be avoided. I would like to use my knowledge of nutrition to help others so they do not have to battle with weight problems.

According to the O*Net Online, I have many of the personal attributes needed to be a good dietitian. Dietitians must have good oral communication skills. I have taken two public speaking classes, and I was a member of a debate team in high school. Dietitians must also have good written comprehension. I have taken many writing classes in school, several being honors courses. Dietitians must also have substantial computer knowledge. I have taken a computer class, and several of my friends are computer technicians who have taught me about various operations in Microsoft programs (Summary Report).

In order for my dream of being a dietitian to come true, it is necessary that I establish some professional goals. First of all, I need to gain some experience in the field. I have applied for a job as a dietary aide, so I will be able to work under the supervision of a registered dietitian. In addition, I plan on shadowing a dietitian at a local hospital. Upon graduation, I would like to begin a successful career, either in bariatrics or endocrinology. I also have a few personal goals. I would like to remain eager about studying and learning new things in school. I would like to remain happy, working at a job I look forward to going to, making a satisfactory income. I would like to remain healthy, which should not be hard since I will be working in a field entirely dedicated to remaining healthy! My goals may be hard for some, but I have a plan to achieve them. I must remain motivated, for starters. I must also work hard and ask for assistance when it is needed. When my course load seems hard, I will look forward to the end result. I will picture myself pursuing my lifelong dream, working as a registered dietitian.

References

"Dietitians and Nutritionists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. 20 Dec. 2005. U.S. Department of Labor. 31 Mar. 2006 .

"Summary Report." O*Net Online. 2003. Occupational Information Network. 31 Mar. .