Even a personal trainer or a personal chef can fall into the category of nutritional counseling careers. Do you know why? Because a personal trainer knows what kinds of “fuel” the body needs to tone and shape it to perfection while a personal chef knows good and wholesome food that heals the body. Therefore careers in nutritional counseling are hardly limited to those in the medical or allied health professions. Those with a background in nutrition and a passion for health can succeed in the nutritional counseling field.
What other types of jobs are available in nutritional counseling? Below is a list of the possible jobs available in the field of nutritional counseling:
- Hospital Nutritionists and Dieticians
- Registered Dietician
- Certified Nutritional Consultant
- School Nutritionists and Dieticians
- Clinical Dietitians
- Community Dietitians
- Management Dietitians
- Consultant Dietitians
- Food Scientists
What work environment is provided for nutritional counseling practitioners? Nutritional counselors find themselves working in institutions like schools and hospitals, in the corporate world as food planners, lifestyle industry in gyms and specialty restaurants, in food and beverage manufacturing as food scientists, as well as consultants in research facilities dealing with obesity and other health-threatening diseases and malaise. There is a wide range of opportunities available for nutritional counselors depending on the desired niche and passion of the person. Individuals have the option to work for years in one specialized area and then transfer to another.
What kind of education and training is needed for nutritional counseling?
- Complete a bachelor’s degree in the following: Dietetics, Food and Nutrition, Food Management, Food Services, Agriculture, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Physiology. A wide range of degree options from an accredited school or university is required.
- Take additional courses in communication and business management regarding nutrition jobs. The sky is the limit in this field with the right education. With some experience in the food business you may develop a desire to strike out on your own. It is important to be prepared in case you want to own your own business someday.
- Get a master’s degree. Currently there are eighteen master’s degree programs approved by the American Dietetic Association's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (ADA-CADE) that can be associated with nutritional counseling.
- Pursue a license to practice. There are 33 states that require you to be a licensed professional counselor before seeking a nutritional counseling job, thus candidates must pass the national exams and secure a license from the ADA-CADE. Requirements vary from state to state so it is important to make the necessary inquiries before you apply for a license to practice. Fees may be required.
- Enroll in a supervised internship for two years. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDRNET) has 51 accredited programs for nutritional counseling students. Internship opportunities can be found through this department. There are a number of two-year internships available. The standard internship lasts two years but there are six-month and one year internships available. Some of the shorter internships require intensive hands-on experience in professional counseling.
What counseling jobs can nutritional counselors expect in the future? Entry level and mid-level nutritional counselors can expect to move up into management positions after years of training and experience. Some of the management level positions include directorship roles in hospitals, schools and manufacturing. An employee with a master’s degree can even cross over to research and consulting when the appropriate education, experience and training has been achieved. Options and opportunities are readily available.
What is the career outlook for nutritional counseling jobs? As the American population ages, many hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and retirement homes will expand to accommodate the growing numbers of senior citizens. Nutritional counselors will be needed to address the aged population’s special dietary needs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nutritional counselors will increase in demand from now until 2018 by over nine percent. As a result, the job outlook is favorable. The average salary for nutritional counseling jobs varies because of the number of different careers, but the average salary falls within the range of $31,000 - $75,000 per year.