Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, dietitians and nutritionists held about 50,000 jobs in 2004, and employment of dietitians and nutritionists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2014 as a result of increasing emphasis on disease prevention through improved dietary habits. A growing and aging population will boost the demand for meals and nutritional counseling in hospitals, residential care facilities, schools, prisons, community health programs, and home health care agencies. Public interest in nutrition and increased emphasis on health education will spur demand, especially in management.

The following are a few career opportunities, but there are many more:

Clinical Dietetics

• Hospitals
• Long-term care
• Specialty Clinics (such as Cancer, Renal, Ob/Gyn

Community Nutrition

• Child Nutrition Programs (in Schools)
• Public Health Departments
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Food Service Management

• Child Nutrition Programs
• Hospitals
• Long-term Care
• Restaurants, Catering, and other Hospitality Venues
• Contract Service Management

Consultant/Private Practice

• Private client counseling (weight management, disordered eating, etc.)
• Hospitals and Long term Care
• Sports nutritionist
• Food and Nutrition Writing
• Entrepreneurs

Education/Research

• Teach in 2-year college
• Write curriculum and develop educational materials
• Teach at 4-year college or university
• Researcher for university or government (USDA, FDA, NIH, etc.)
• Industry