Career Change

[porkchopboy]

Hi everyone, I hope you can help. I've been kicking around the idea of getting into the Nutritional/Dietician field. After 20 years of slugging it out behind the lines I feel it's time for a change. Does anyone know of a good online course or if you have any opinions you'd like to share I'd love to hear from you. Thanks, Dino.

[kuan]

You need certification to become a dietitian. No need for nutritionist. Do you have a culinary degree? These days culinary degrees plus bachelors in food science are very in demand, and if you're going to get a four year degree you might as well get into a field where room for advancement and professional development is more in line with what you love.

[porkchopboy]

Thanks Kuan, yes I do have a culinary degree. It has served me well over the years. I just feel I should be cooking where the food is really good but really healthy for you. I've experimented with 80/20 semi-raw and vegitarian and I think that's the direction I'm headed. Besides the doctor said I should eat healthier so why not surrond myself with healthy food at work also. Dino

[harryd56]

There is a site for Certified Dietary Managers where you can find out about certification.

I was Exec Chef in a hosp from 05 until Sept 07 now I'm in a Retirement Center and I must say that Certified Dieticians starting out didn't make much but, from my understanding, if you have any time as an Exec Sous or Exec Chef and you're a CDM you're worth your weight in gold to the industry.

The Registered Dietician where I am currently only works for us 2 days a week but hires herself out for the rest of the week and makes twice as much as I do a year!!! It's a lot of responsibility and you have to maintain a license but it's worth it if your tired of being on the firing line.

[shroomgirl]

St. Louis University has a CC/RD program with a sustainable thread running through the curriculum. It's one of the first in the country. I have done consulting with their farmer's market program and local foods cafeteria run by the RD/nutrition dept.