1 answer
Danaya
Student
Wake Forest
1
Question
Asked
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What do you plan on doing when you get older And how do you plan on starting that career. How will you provide for that. What will you do. When do you plan on starting your career??
I think that you should start looking and seeing what other people started to get some ideas of what you might wanna do or how you might wanna start
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1 answer
Danielle Hernandez, RDN
Registered Dietitian
3
Answers
Roseville, California
Updated
Danielle’s Answer
For many years, while attending community college, I pondered about what career path to take. Initially, I was drawn towards accounting, but soon found it too mundane and straightforward. Nursing seemed like a good option because it was a hot field at the time. I completed all the prerequisites and even applied to nursing school, only to withdraw my application later.
I was in search of a career that would challenge me, but none of the ones I explored truly sparked my interest. I was just testing my ability to survive in a demanding program like nursing. I felt lost, especially since I had spent more time in community college than I had planned.
One day, I started reflecting on the courses I had taken and enjoyed. The nutrition class stood out. Intrigued by the possibilities, I started researching careers in nutrition and came across the role of a dietitian.
I transferred to a college with the intention to become a dietitian, knowing it would require further education. I ended up earning a degree in Nutrition and Food and landed my first job providing nutrition counseling at a doctor's office. I absolutely loved it! I was able to work directly with people, assist them in weight loss, and educate them about the effects of food on their bodies, especially when dealing with conditions like diabetes.
However, I felt that my degree was limiting my practice, and I yearned for more. So, I returned to school to become a dietitian. While studying, I worked in a hospital and a long-term care facility, and applied for numerous internships. Finally, I graduated, passed the exam, and officially became a dietitian.
The field of dietetics is incredibly diverse. Dietitians can work in hospitals, community programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), online platforms, and even design menus for restaurants. Currently, I'm setting up a private practice that focuses on teaching people how to prepare and enjoy plant-based meals, among other things.
The most valuable piece of advice I can share is to chase your passion. Sure, a good salary is important, but it's meaningless if you dread going to work every day. I hope you find this helpful!
I was in search of a career that would challenge me, but none of the ones I explored truly sparked my interest. I was just testing my ability to survive in a demanding program like nursing. I felt lost, especially since I had spent more time in community college than I had planned.
One day, I started reflecting on the courses I had taken and enjoyed. The nutrition class stood out. Intrigued by the possibilities, I started researching careers in nutrition and came across the role of a dietitian.
I transferred to a college with the intention to become a dietitian, knowing it would require further education. I ended up earning a degree in Nutrition and Food and landed my first job providing nutrition counseling at a doctor's office. I absolutely loved it! I was able to work directly with people, assist them in weight loss, and educate them about the effects of food on their bodies, especially when dealing with conditions like diabetes.
However, I felt that my degree was limiting my practice, and I yearned for more. So, I returned to school to become a dietitian. While studying, I worked in a hospital and a long-term care facility, and applied for numerous internships. Finally, I graduated, passed the exam, and officially became a dietitian.
The field of dietetics is incredibly diverse. Dietitians can work in hospitals, community programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), online platforms, and even design menus for restaurants. Currently, I'm setting up a private practice that focuses on teaching people how to prepare and enjoy plant-based meals, among other things.
The most valuable piece of advice I can share is to chase your passion. Sure, a good salary is important, but it's meaningless if you dread going to work every day. I hope you find this helpful!