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Introduction
A major in nutritional sciences provides students with a strong foundation in biology, biochemistry, and physiology as well as the sociological and psychological dimensions of human nutrition. Undergraduate training in nutrition can lead to careers in industry, hospitals, schools, colleges, government agencies, and clinics. A nutrition degree can also provide a sound background for those intending to go to graduate school in any of the life sciences or the health professions. The Department of Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers provides options in Dietetics, Nutrition, and Food Service Administration.
The Dietetics option is appropriate for students seeking careers as clinical dietitians, nutritionists, health educators, and consumer specialists in food and nutrition. People with this study option engage in such activities as assessing patients' nutritional needs, developing and implementing nutritional programs and evaluating patients' progress. Most positions are available at hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and health maintenance programs. Upon completing coursework, students must apply for a 9-12 month internship or AP4 program to prepare for the examination to become a registered dietitian (RD).
The Nutrition option offers a solid background for those considering graduate training in the health or life sciences. Students are also prepared for entry-level research positions in the biomedical and nutritional biochemistry fields; other positions are in academic research centers, pharmaceutical companies, medical centers, and government agencies.
The Food Service Administration option provides training for careers involving large scale meal planning in hospitals, hotels, company cafeterias, prisons, schools, and other large institutions. Responsibilities typically include the supervision of food service workers, budgeting, purchasing and preparing reports.
Regardless of the option chosen, a background in nutrition can also provide business-related opportunities in such fields as employee wellness, human resources, marketing, general management, customer service, and sales.
A Sample of Related Occupations
| Athletic Counselor | Food Scientist | Public Health Administrator |
| Brewery Process Supervisor | Food Technologist | Quality Control Manager |
| Caterer | Health Educator | Registered Dietitian |
| Chef | Home Economist | Research Dietitian |
| Community Agency Worker | Hospital Dietitian | Restaurant Manager |
| Consulting Dietitian | Nurse | Sales Representative |
| Consumer Advocate | Nutrition Journalist | Teacher/Professor |
| Cooperative Extension Agent | Nutritionist | Technical Writer |
| Food and Drug Inspector | Peace Corps Worker | Therapist |
| Food Buyer | Pharmaceutical Sales Rep. | Weight Reduction Specialist |
| Food Distributor | Physician |
Types of Employers
| Private & Non-profit Organizations | ||
| Athletic Clubs | Freezing Plants | Private Practice Offices |
| Breweries | Health Clubs | Publishers |
| Colleges and Universities | Health Maintenance Organizations | Research Laboratories |
| Cooking Schools | Hospitals / Healthe Clinics | Resorts / Hotels |
| Food Distributors | Magazines / Newspapers | Restaurants / Cafeterias |
| Food Manufacturers | Nursing Homes/Retirement Communities | School Systems |
| Food Services | Pharmaceutical Companies | |
| Government Agencies | ||
| Consumer Affairs Departments | Head Start | US Department of Agriculture |
| County Extension Services | Peace Corps | US Food & Drug Administration |
| Department of Corrections | School Lunch Programs | US Public Health Service |
| Departments of Health | Senior Citizen Nutrition Projects | WIC (Women Infants Children) Program |
Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates
| First Jobs of Recent Graduates | |
| Associate Food Technician, Best Foods | Medical Platoon Leader, US Army |
| Dietetic Intern, UMDNJ | Nutritionist, WIC (Women, Infants & Children) |
| Dietitian Assistant, Raritan Bay Medical Center | Quality Assurance Technician, Polaner |
| Food Scientist, Pepsico | Research Assistant, M&M Mars |
| Food Technologist, Celentano Inc. | Research Assistant, Rutgers University |
| Lab Technician, FMC Corporation | Research Assistant, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals |
| Management Trainee, Hanover Foods | Weight Loss Counselor, Jenny Craig |
| Jobs of Experienced Alumni | |
| Assistant Director, Food Service Oprs., Fair Oaks Hospital | Investigator, Food & Drug Administration |
| Clinical Dietitian, Hahnemann Hospital Nutrition Ctr. | Nutrition & Food Consultant, Self Employed (PhD Biochemistry/Nutrition) |
| Consultant, ECS Nutritional Services (Grad. work in Hospital Admin.) | Osteopathic Physician, Private Practice (MD) |
| Director of Day Care Center, Twenty-One Plus | Outpatient Dietitian, USA-Meddac (graduate work in Nutrition) |
| Director of Nursing, Greenwood Health Care Center (RN) | Pediatric Dietician, Monmouth Medical Ctr. (MS Human Nutrition & Foods) |
| Health Care Nutritionist, St. James Hospital | Professor of Nutrition, Univ. of Georgia (PhD Nutrition) |
| Health Counselor, Diets Made to Order | Psychiatrist, Beth Israel Medical Center (MD) |
| Home Economics Program Leader, Cornell Cooperative Extension (MS Education) | School Lunch Program Administrator, New Brunswick Board of Education |
| Home Economics Teacher, Woodbridge School System | Teacher/Administrator, NJ State Department of Education (MS Biology/Nutrition) |
Graduate Schools Attended
Virginia Tech, MS, Nutrition |
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Last Updated: 05/10/2009