Because nutrition intersects with so many areas in the field of healthcare and beyond, an educational background in nutrition can lead to a wide variety of career opportunities. If you want to work directly with individuals in need of dietary advice, you can become a dietician, nutritionist, or wellness consultant. If you prefer to work in a context that goes beyond individual patients, students with a background in nutrition can work in jobs like public health nutritionist and food safety auditor.
In addition to being wide-ranging, nutrition is a fast-growing field, as interest in the linkages between food and health increases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dietician and nutritionist jobs are projected to increase by 11% between 2008 and 2018 - much faster than the average for jobs throughout the economy. These jobs also typically require only a bachelor’s degree, making them relatively accessible compared to jobs requiring a degree from medical or nursing school.
At the end of the day, an education in nutrition is an opportunity to become an expert about something that everyone cares about and pursue a career that can make a big positive impact on people’s health.‎
