If your high schooler is interested in nutrition, they may be interested in working as a nutritionist. This is an excellent career path for someone with strong communication and organizational skills, and work can be done independently or on a team. While your child may be lost as to how they can get started, there are a few ways you can point them in the right direction.
Getting a Bachelor’s Degree
The first step will be for your child to get a bachelor’s degree after graduation. They can get a degree in nutrition, health, or another field. If your child is interested in clinical nutrition, which focuses more on individuals’ nutrition needs, they will need to get a specialized degree in clinical nutrition.
These programs teach students about research, counseling, and biochemistry. On the other hand, if your child is interested in being a registered dietitian, they may want to go for a program approved by a relevant organization. Going to college is expensive, but it is impossible to break into the industry without a relevant degree. One option is to get a low-rate private parent loan to help cover part of the education costs for your child. Doing so can reduce the amount your child will need to borrow.
Encourage Your Child to Get an Internship
It’s a good idea for your child to get an internship to build their network and gain the necessary experience. They can do so right after graduation or during their college years. Many certifications require a certain amount of experience, and your child can expect to need to complete around 500 to 1200 hours of hands-on work in a relevant environment. The connections your child gains during their degree can help them find a good internship.
Learn About Required Certification Requirements
Your state will likely require you to get a license or certification, but the exact ones required can vary depending on the local laws in your area. You can look at requirements from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (https://www.cdrnet.org/) to learn about states that do not require a license or certification. It’s also a good idea to research requirements in your area.
However, encourage your child to do their own research so they take responsibility for their career. Even if your state does not require certification, some companies prefer to hire only certified nutritionists. Of course, the specialty your child is interested in will also determine whether certification is required.
Learn About Continuing Education Requirements
Sometimes nutritionists need to do continuing education to renew or continue their certification. Some specialties require at least 40 hours of this type of education each year. Other areas will require a recertification test every year or few years.
Your child may need to create an activity log to increase productivity and show how they plan to achieve their learning goals. Encourage your child to research requirements like professional development. Depending on how much time your child anticipates wanting to invest in continuing education, some specialties may feel more appealing than others.
Difference Between Nutritionist and Dietitian
Most of us consider that these terms are similar, but there is a difference between them. It is necessary to equip yourself with the right knowledge to give your kids the right path. The nutritionist is one who deals with the general aims and behavior of a nutritionist. On the other hand, dietitians deal with different eating disorders of patients, and they design special diets for treating special medical conditions. Although they fall in the same domain, these are two different qualifications.
What Subject to Study to Become a Nutritionist?
You can guide your children on which type of subject they can study to become a nutritionist. As these subjects are the basics of this nutritionist field. Following is the list of all those subjects or courses that are taught in this field:
- Biology
- Physiology
- Dietary system management
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Food Sciences
- Nutrition counseling
- Nutrition and its cycle
- Public health
- Metabolism
After getting a basic degree, you can specialize in different nutritionist fields such as:
- Animal nutritionist
- Public Health Nutritionist
- Clinical Nutritionist
- Gerontological Nutritionist
- Nutrition consultant
Scope of Nutritionist
This field has a diverse scope, and you can perform part-time, remote, and full-time jobs as well. The parents should know before they teach this field to their children what a nutritionist can do. Where do they work? They help their kids become the best nutritionist by giving proper guidance. Nutritionists are highly paid and in demand these days. Nutritionists serve the patients in various fields, such as:
- Schools
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Clinics
- Public health agencies
- Research labs
- Food service
- Clinics
- Private practice
After completing the degree or course in this field, your child can plan and manage a diet. They will be able to make personalized diet charts for the patients. Execute various ways for patients to manage their weight. Their work is not limited to patients in hospitals or in some other hospital practices but also in ordering food for commercial suppliers. Keep a record of follow-ups of the patients and signs of illness are identified in the patients by looking at their weight, height, waist-to-hip ratio, and BMI.
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