Students who are interested in nutrition may want to consider a dietitian major in college, and it is a good choice for those who want to work in the field of nutrition and food preparation. However, in some cases, this major may be considered too specialized for someone who may want to pursue a different career path in the future, in which case a more general major may be preferable. An internship, registration, and licensing may be required in addition to a degree in order to become a clinical dietitian or to take on a similar role.
One of the most appealing aspects of majoring in dietetics is that graduates can work in a variety of related fields. Many graduates, for example, go on to work as private nutritionists, advising people from all walks of life on how to eat well. Some dietitians prefer to work for educational institutions or food distributors. Others may prefer to work with the sick or those who require a special diet, in which case a job in a hospital, nursing home, or treatment center may be the best fit. Jobs for dietitians are often easier to come than in other fields because they work in a variety of fields that involve advising people on what to eat.
A dietitian major, on the other hand, is very specific, so graduates may have difficulty finding work outside of the dietetics field. Those who are undecided about continuing in this field should consider a different major that would still qualify them to work as a dietitian in some capacity. A degree in chemistry or counseling, for example, may be useful in this career, but it may also be useful if one decides to branch out into another field. In some cases, combining a minor in dietetics with a more general major, such as business, communications, or math, may be the best option. Switching to a different field may also be easier as a result of this.
Students who want to pursue a career as a dietitian may find that this degree isn’t very useful until they combine it with other requirements. Dietitians, for example, are required to complete an internship for most jobs, which is why many degree programs now include such hands-on experience as a requirement before graduation. Dietitians must also register before working in most areas, which means they must pass a test and complete continuing education every few years. Dietitians may be required to become licensed in some areas, which may require them to pass another test before they can work in this field. As a result, students considering a career as a dietitian should be aware that a bachelor’s degree may not be sufficient to secure employment in this field.