5 answers
Salma
Student
Coopersburg, Pennsylvania
3
Questions
Asked
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How can I determine the best major and career path for me that will be beneficial in my future and my family?
Hello! I'm not sure how much information you'd like, so I'll start with some basics. I go to a Christian school as a 10th grader and play travel and school softball as my sport. I love to learn about how to stay healthy and improve the health of mine and others. I am disciplined, independent, hard-working, and smart with a GPA of 4.2 out of 4.5 last marking period. I am struggling to pinpoint what I would love to do as a career and want to pursue my passion without the frustration of "working a day in my life". Thank you for your time reading this and I look forward to receiving your advice! If any questions, please ask!
#college #career #college-major #nutrition #nutritonalscience
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5 answers
Angela D. Blaver (Suissa), Ph.D.
Retired
110
Answers
Daytona Beach, Florida
Updated
Angela D.’s Answer
Hi Salma! Because you expressed interest in health and wellbeing, you may want to further explore opportunities in the medical field. A wide range of careers are available, such as physician/surgeon, dietician/nutritionist, nursing, pharmacist, dentist, optometrist, researcher, etc. Online research is only going to tell you so much...talking with individuals in the fields of interest will be helpful and give you an idea of what it is to go through the educational process, potential volunteer opportunities in the meantime, pros and cons, etc. You can find people to speak with through the adults in your life, family friends, your school counselor, family physician's/dentist's office, etc. You can also ask to "shadow" someone currently working in a career of interest, which is where they take you on a mini-tour of what they do in a day and you get to take a look at their working environment (within reason...15-20 minutes can give you some good ideas). Come prepared with questions (please see examples below). Wishing you the best in your endeavors, Dr. B
If you had it to do over again, would you choose this career? Why or why not? Would you recommend the university/college track that you completed? What does a typical day look like? What kinds of opportunities are there for advancement? Is there any advice or information that you wish you had when attending school or early on in your career? Can someone balance work and family life in this field? And thank them for their time and expertise!
Research various fields of interest
Consider interviewing and/or shadowing someone
If you had it to do over again, would you choose this career? Why or why not? Would you recommend the university/college track that you completed? What does a typical day look like? What kinds of opportunities are there for advancement? Is there any advice or information that you wish you had when attending school or early on in your career? Can someone balance work and family life in this field? And thank them for their time and expertise!
Angela D. recommends the following next steps:
Lynn Wise
CMS specialist for content marketing team
3
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Lynn’s Answer
Good question, Salma! I'll tell you what I'm telling my kids, and what I wish someone had told me: Especially if you're undecided on a major, I recommend going with something super versatile and widely applicable—examples include, statistics, design, business, math, pre-med, or computer science—and then minoring in something you're interested in but that seems a little less "practical".
You just want to go with something that will open the most doors for you, while also indulging your interests.
That said, you don't have to decide right now! You can decide on a general direction, and start knocking out core classes before choosing a major and minor. I'd also join clubs, volunteer places, and intern or work at as many places as you can, because that will give you a better idea of what you might want to do (and what you definitely don't want to do).
Remember, many people don't stay in the same profession their whole lives, so you don't need to feel too much pressure over your choices now. It's clear you're putting thought into them, and that's all you can really do.
You just want to go with something that will open the most doors for you, while also indulging your interests.
That said, you don't have to decide right now! You can decide on a general direction, and start knocking out core classes before choosing a major and minor. I'd also join clubs, volunteer places, and intern or work at as many places as you can, because that will give you a better idea of what you might want to do (and what you definitely don't want to do).
Remember, many people don't stay in the same profession their whole lives, so you don't need to feel too much pressure over your choices now. It's clear you're putting thought into them, and that's all you can really do.
Diane English
Manager
2
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Diane’s Answer
Hi there!
For Nutrition, you can work in any/all settings you like and mix it up at amy point jn your career. (Schools, healthcare, prison, WIC).
During your college internships you get to work in a variety of settings that really do help you get a feel for what you dig and don't. (i.e. food ordering, coaching, menus, clinical case studies, policy, research) .
Trust the process! Best of luck to you🥂
For Nutrition, you can work in any/all settings you like and mix it up at amy point jn your career. (Schools, healthcare, prison, WIC).
During your college internships you get to work in a variety of settings that really do help you get a feel for what you dig and don't. (i.e. food ordering, coaching, menus, clinical case studies, policy, research) .
Trust the process! Best of luck to you🥂
Michelle Melrose, MBA
Governance Analyst
16
Answers
Plano, Texas
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi Salma,
There is an array of opportunities in the Human Sciences field and you can specialize in Dietetics if you are interested in the Nutrition.
There are several concentrations and specialties you can pursue. All the Best!
https://www.nutritioned.org/careers.html
Nutrition Specialties
Sports Nutritionist
Health Coach
Holistic Nutritionist
Clinical Dietitian
Certified Nutrition Specialist
Public Health Nutritionist
Food Safety Auditor
Oncology Nutritionist
Nutritional Therapist
Personal Nutritionist
Corporate Wellness Consultant
College Nutritionist
Pediatric Nutritionist
Nutrition Therapist
Nutrition Educator
Exercise Science Jobs
Reach out to the Director in Dietetics at a local college express your interest and pre-req's are required for the program
Intern or volunteer to gain experience in areas of interest (Clinical/sports medicine/private practices)
There is an array of opportunities in the Human Sciences field and you can specialize in Dietetics if you are interested in the Nutrition.
There are several concentrations and specialties you can pursue. All the Best!
https://www.nutritioned.org/careers.html
Nutrition Specialties
Sports Nutritionist
Health Coach
Holistic Nutritionist
Clinical Dietitian
Certified Nutrition Specialist
Public Health Nutritionist
Food Safety Auditor
Oncology Nutritionist
Nutritional Therapist
Personal Nutritionist
Corporate Wellness Consultant
College Nutritionist
Pediatric Nutritionist
Nutrition Therapist
Nutrition Educator
Exercise Science Jobs
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Paul Caravella
Senior Financial Business Partner
5
Answers
Savannah, Georgia
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Salma,
Not to sound too churchy, but the best advice I can give you is to do what you love, but do it in a God-honoring way. What I mean by that is if you love doing nothing (I'm sure you don't - I'm just giving an analogy), you're not honoring God. You do not have to create great things in life or be the most successful business person in the world, either. The most menial job could be the best thing for you if it honors God and yourself.
Having said that, the next thing I would suggest is to find out what your passion is. That can be much harder to do, but the rewards are much greater. One of the best ways to figure out what your passion might be is to read the book, "What Color is Your Parachute", by Richard Bolles. This is THE book. It is methodical and easy to read, and it is continuously updated. The greater clarity you have with respect to what you want to do, the better your chances are of achieving it.
Once you complete that, check out the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. This website is a powerhouse of career information, especially the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Not only will it tell you what college major to be in for the career you're interested in, it gives you salary information and job growth forecasts.
Good luck!
Not to sound too churchy, but the best advice I can give you is to do what you love, but do it in a God-honoring way. What I mean by that is if you love doing nothing (I'm sure you don't - I'm just giving an analogy), you're not honoring God. You do not have to create great things in life or be the most successful business person in the world, either. The most menial job could be the best thing for you if it honors God and yourself.
Having said that, the next thing I would suggest is to find out what your passion is. That can be much harder to do, but the rewards are much greater. One of the best ways to figure out what your passion might be is to read the book, "What Color is Your Parachute", by Richard Bolles. This is THE book. It is methodical and easy to read, and it is continuously updated. The greater clarity you have with respect to what you want to do, the better your chances are of achieving it.
Once you complete that, check out the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. This website is a powerhouse of career information, especially the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Not only will it tell you what college major to be in for the career you're interested in, it gives you salary information and job growth forecasts.
Good luck!