5 answers
Owen
Student
Conroe, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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How can building connections early help later in life?
I am currently a senior in high school and I will go to college in less than a year to pursue a nutrition and dietetics degree from UTSA.
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5 answers
Denise Jochims
2
Answers
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Updated
Denise’s Answer
Hello,
I'm glad you asked this question. I suggest young professionals take part in events that promote networking. These can include volunteering, career fairs, campus activities, or even open office hours with professors. These experiences help you learn how to talk to new people and boost your confidence. Wishing you lots of success in your future!
I'm glad you asked this question. I suggest young professionals take part in events that promote networking. These can include volunteering, career fairs, campus activities, or even open office hours with professors. These experiences help you learn how to talk to new people and boost your confidence. Wishing you lots of success in your future!
Melanie Silverman
Chief Clinical Officer
21
Answers
Laguna Beach, California
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Dear Owen,
I am actually a registered dietitian and have good advice to give you! I'm so excited you are interested in dietetics. It's a great field. We need more people in it! All of the advice other people have given here is excellent. My advice is to go to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to learn more about the profession. https://www.eatright.org/. They are a wonderful resource for you to learn more about the profession. Also, find out if there are local dietetics groups where you can attend meetings. If you have other questions, please let me know. GOOD LUCK!
I am actually a registered dietitian and have good advice to give you! I'm so excited you are interested in dietetics. It's a great field. We need more people in it! All of the advice other people have given here is excellent. My advice is to go to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to learn more about the profession. https://www.eatright.org/. They are a wonderful resource for you to learn more about the profession. Also, find out if there are local dietetics groups where you can attend meetings. If you have other questions, please let me know. GOOD LUCK!
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
650
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Owen. Building connections early in your life can make a big difference later, especially as you get ready for college and your future career.
In college, having connections with professors, classmates, and professionals in the nutrition field can be really helpful. You'll likely need to do internships or clinical work as part of your degree. By getting to know people early on, you might hear about these opportunities before they're posted or get advice on where to look. Professors can also be great mentors who will offer support and help you figure out what direction to take in your career. Making these connections now can help you when you need advice, job opportunities, or just someone to talk to about your future.
Networking with professors and professionals also helps you stay informed about what's happening in the field of nutrition and dietetics. You can learn about new trends, challenges, and career paths by talking to people who are already working in the industry. For example, many universities offer chances to meet alumni or guest speakers. These connections can help you learn from others' experiences and avoid common mistakes.
Socially, connecting with your peers in college is important, too. Starting to build friendships and study groups early on will help you adjust to college life more smoothly. Having a support system of friends and classmates can make a big difference when you're facing difficult assignments or projects.
Building relationships can also pay off after you graduate. Many employers like to hire candidates who have good references, and the people you meet in college (like professors) can become great references for your job search later. Hope this helps. All the best.
In college, having connections with professors, classmates, and professionals in the nutrition field can be really helpful. You'll likely need to do internships or clinical work as part of your degree. By getting to know people early on, you might hear about these opportunities before they're posted or get advice on where to look. Professors can also be great mentors who will offer support and help you figure out what direction to take in your career. Making these connections now can help you when you need advice, job opportunities, or just someone to talk to about your future.
Networking with professors and professionals also helps you stay informed about what's happening in the field of nutrition and dietetics. You can learn about new trends, challenges, and career paths by talking to people who are already working in the industry. For example, many universities offer chances to meet alumni or guest speakers. These connections can help you learn from others' experiences and avoid common mistakes.
Socially, connecting with your peers in college is important, too. Starting to build friendships and study groups early on will help you adjust to college life more smoothly. Having a support system of friends and classmates can make a big difference when you're facing difficult assignments or projects.
Building relationships can also pay off after you graduate. Many employers like to hire candidates who have good references, and the people you meet in college (like professors) can become great references for your job search later. Hope this helps. All the best.
Michelle Schnob
Sales Enablement / Learning and Development
5
Answers
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi Owen, great question! Most people wait way too long to think about building their network, so the fact that you are asking now already puts you ahead. :)
Here is a simple way to think about it.
- Networking helps you shape your future before you need anything from anyone. A quick conversation with a professor or a classmate today can become an internship lead, a job referral, or even just really solid advice later. It turns a big world into a smaller one where you recognize faces, know who to ask for help, and feel more confident walking into new spaces.
- You also learn things you will never find in a textbook. People share their real experiences, the mistakes they made, and the shortcuts they wish they had known when they were just starting out. That kind of wisdom saves you a lot of time, stress, and effort.
- It makes college more enjoyable. The people you meet in classes, clubs, and volunteering often become real friends and part of your long term support circle.
If you want a very simple place to start, try this. Say hello to people in your classes. Visit office hours at least once. Join one club that genuinely interests you. Attend one event and introduce yourself to one new person. These small steps feel easy but they add up quickly.
Networking is not about collecting contacts or LinkedIn profiles. It is about building a community. And the earlier you start, the more natural and helpful it becomes. Hope this helps!
Here is a simple way to think about it.
- Networking helps you shape your future before you need anything from anyone. A quick conversation with a professor or a classmate today can become an internship lead, a job referral, or even just really solid advice later. It turns a big world into a smaller one where you recognize faces, know who to ask for help, and feel more confident walking into new spaces.
- You also learn things you will never find in a textbook. People share their real experiences, the mistakes they made, and the shortcuts they wish they had known when they were just starting out. That kind of wisdom saves you a lot of time, stress, and effort.
- It makes college more enjoyable. The people you meet in classes, clubs, and volunteering often become real friends and part of your long term support circle.
If you want a very simple place to start, try this. Say hello to people in your classes. Visit office hours at least once. Join one club that genuinely interests you. Attend one event and introduce yourself to one new person. These small steps feel easy but they add up quickly.
Networking is not about collecting contacts or LinkedIn profiles. It is about building a community. And the earlier you start, the more natural and helpful it becomes. Hope this helps!
Yasmin Mohamed Alamin
Clinical Nutrition Student
63
Answers
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Updated
Yasmin’s Answer
Hi Owen
Congratulations on starting your nutrition journey! Building connections early like with professors, classmates, professionals in the field, or through volunteering can make a big difference later.
Here’s why:
1. Mentorship: Experienced professionals can guide you through courses, internships, and career decisions.
2. Opportunities: Connections often open doors to research, volunteering, and jobs you might not find on your own.
3. Learning from others: Seeing how others navigate challenges can give you insights and ideas for your own path.
4. Long-term relationships: Some of these connections may become collaborators, colleagues, or even references in the future.
Even small efforts... like reaching out to a professional on LinkedIn, attending webinars, or joining a student nutrition club, can pay off over time. Starting early gives you more time to build meaningful, lasting relationships.
Congratulations on starting your nutrition journey! Building connections early like with professors, classmates, professionals in the field, or through volunteering can make a big difference later.
Here’s why:
1. Mentorship: Experienced professionals can guide you through courses, internships, and career decisions.
2. Opportunities: Connections often open doors to research, volunteering, and jobs you might not find on your own.
3. Learning from others: Seeing how others navigate challenges can give you insights and ideas for your own path.
4. Long-term relationships: Some of these connections may become collaborators, colleagues, or even references in the future.
Even small efforts... like reaching out to a professional on LinkedIn, attending webinars, or joining a student nutrition club, can pay off over time. Starting early gives you more time to build meaningful, lasting relationships.