Additional Information
Research should be the first step in your education. Since there are so
many different avenues for a career in dietetics, you should really investigate
this field. One way would be to follow a dietitian around a hospital for a
day (with their permission, of course!).
Working in the food service industry is a good place to get a feel for
nutrition. People-oriented jobs or activities are also helpful, since dietitians
are always working with the public.
"As far as work experience goes, anything in the food-related fields,"
says dietitian Mindy Black. "I was a waitress in high school. Anything where
you're around that kind of lifestyle, where you're around food, whether it
be culinary cooking or waitressing or anything like that."
Those in high school should take advanced math and science courses, along
with any nutrition courses, if they are available.
"It's very [focused on] sciences, so as much as I hated chemistry in high
school, it's very, very needed," says Black.
Dietitian Kristine Van Workum agrees.
"Mostly science classes, and also some biology and even anatomy classes
and physiology -- those kinds of things are really important," says Van Workum.
"One thing that I never got exposure to, which is crucial if you're ever going
to work with clients with weight management and eating disorder issues, is
any kind of psychology classes, because that is a huge component of it."
To become a registered dietitian in the U.S., a student must complete a
bachelor of science degree in dietetics or foods and nutrition.
Dietitians in the U.S. must take a national registered dietitian exam administered
by the Commission on Dietetic Registration if they wish to use the title of
Registered Dietitian.
Different states have different regulations when it comes to certification
and licensing. In a few states you can practice as a dietitian without a license.
Those states that do require some form of certification also require a period
of supervised work before the dietitian is considered fully qualified.
Dietitian Daniel Tisi recommends that aspiring dietitians pay attention
to their own health and fitness and take courses in physical education.
"You have to lead by example -- I think that's a really important thing,"
says Tisi. "If you are, 'Do as I say, not as I do,' that's not really going
to work."