This document provides an overview of the career of a dietitian. It defines a dietitian as someone who translates nutritional science into providing optimal nourishment for people. The path to becoming a dietitian involves obtaining a bachelor's degree in nutrition or dietetics, passing an examination, completing a 1200 hour internship, and becoming employed in settings like clinical dietetics or food and nutrition management. Dietitians are expected to assess nutritional needs, develop meal plans, promote better nutrition, and keep up with nutritional research. The future of the career may involve more online counseling utilizing technology.

1. Dietitian
By Vienna Li

2. PerceptionDietitian
Let food be thy
medicine and
medicine be thy food.
– Hippocrates,
Greek Physician
Many people wish to achieve their health goals
every day, whether it’s nourishing the body to
become more energetic and radiant, properly
gaining or losing weight, or helping the body to
fight off diseases – and I wanted to be the person
to assist them through proper nutrition.

3. OBJECTIVES
To clear misconceptions
between a dietitian and
a nutritionist
To understand what it is like
to be a dietitian
To research about what it
takes to become a
dietitian
To learn when I can actually
love what I am doing
Dietitian?

4. Definition of a
“A translator of science
of nutrition into the skill
of furnishing optimal
nourishment of people.”
– the American Dietetics
Association (ADA)
Dietitian

5. Road to Dietetics
BACHELOR’S DEGREE
4 years Nutrition/Dietetics Major
Courses: physiology, chemistry,
biology, computer science,
sociology, business,
economics, nutrition,
foodservice
EXAMINATION
• the Principles of Dietetics
• Nutrition Care for Individuals and
Groups
• Management of Dood and
Nutrition Programs and Services
• Foodservice Programs
INTERNSHIP
1200 hours of Supervised Training
Alternative: Coordinated Program
with a Masters Degree
EMPLOYMENT
• Clinical Dietetics
• Food and Nutrition Management
• Education and Research
• Consultant/Private Practice
• Business and Industry
• Government/Organizations
1
2
3
4

6. Duties and Expectations
Dietitians are expected to
• Explain nutrition issues and assess patients’ and
clients’ dietary needs
• Develop individualized meal plans, evaluate the
effects, and change accordingly
• Promote better nutrition through community
presentations
• Keep up with the latest nutritional science
research
• Help navigate chronic diseases, food
allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances

7. Analytical
Disorganized
Approachable
Inarticulate
Motivated
My Strengths and Weaknesses

8. Loans and
Salaries
Educational Funding
$7,000
$34,000
College (UC Davis, Financial Aid Included)
Internship (National Average)
Median Wages, 2015
HourlyMeanWage
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
Annual Wage
$71,740
$60,520
$26,700
$20,800
$15,080
National Minimum Wage
California Minimum Wage
California Living Wage
Dietitian Median Wage (National)
Dietitian Median Wage (California)

9. Real Life Dietitians
The job of a registered dietitian is considerably low-stressed compared to other occupations
in the medical field. The hours are not too demanding, nor does it involve strenuous work
2
FOOD MAGAZINE EDITOR
PLANT-BASED NUTRITION AUTHOR
SPEAKER
BLOGGER
SHARON PALMER, RD
sharonpalmer.com
JESSIE ERWIN, RD
thehappinessinhealth.com
YOUTH SUPERVISOR
CLINICAL DIETITIAN
CONSULTANT
BLOGGER

10. The Future of Dietitians
• expanded coverage
• increased flexibility
• streamlined work
Benefits of Online Counseling
• online patient profiles
• track plans and progress
• online communication
• provide wellness information
Ways to Incorporate Technology
• lack of body language in
communication
• difficult to establish trust
• resistance to technology
• isolating
Drawbacks to Online Counseling

11. Thoughts
on the Career
Is this job for me and do I still wish
to pursue?
What to consider:
• fierce competition and challenges to meet and
keep up with requirements
• costly funding to get into the career
• lower salary compared to other similar
occupations in the medical field
• minimal stress
• compliant working hours
• highly rewarding because of the
impact on other people
YES ❑
NO ❑

12. Thank
You!

13. Works Cited
Accreditation and Education Programs Team. “Registered Dietitian Nutritionists
Educational and Professional Requirements.” Registered Dietitian
Nutritionist Fact Sheet. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2013. Web. 20
Apr. 2016.
Aronson, Dina, RD. "High-Tech Counseling: An Untapped Market for Today's
Dietitian?" Today's Dietitian 9.3 (2007): 46. Today's Dietitian. Great Valley
Publishing Company. Web. 20 May 2016.
"Clinical Nutrition Major." UC Davis Department of Nutrition. Ed. Martha
Amesquita. University of California, Davis, 2016. Web. 20 May 2016.
Erwin, Jessie. “A Day in the Life of a Registered Dietitian.” Web log post. The
Happiness in Health. The Happiness in Health, 15 Mar. 2011. Web. 10 May
2016.
Garrity, Betty. "Dietetic Internship." UC San Diego Health. University of California,
San Diego, 2016. Web. 20 May 2016.
Glasmeier, Amy K., Dr. “Living Wage Calculation for California.” Living Wage
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Goldmarie, Stefanie. Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie Jar. Digital image.
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Kath, and Jade. Salad, Cake, Porridge, Smoothie. Digital image. Panaceas Pantry.
Loving Earth, 28 Aug. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.
Palmer, Sharon. “Plant-Based Dietitian Job Overview.” Personal interview. 24 Apr.
2016.
"Steps to Become a Registered Dietitian in California." Nutrition Education.
NutritionED.org, 2016. Web. 20 May 2016.
Turner, Kristy. But I Could Never Go Vegan! New York: Experiment, 2014. Print.
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Warner, 12 Apr. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.
Westerkamp, Jenny, RD. Dietetic Internships 101. All Access Internships, 2014.
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United States. Department of Labor. Dietitians and Nutritionists. U.S. Bureau of
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