How the Dietetics Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Diet greatly affects human health and quality of life. In fact, many of the habits that people form in their mid-20s strongly influence their chances of contracting a health-related disease later in life, such as arthritis or kidney stones, according to Harvard Universityís School of Public Health. The best way to ensure a long life span and good health is to engage in regular exercise and cut out saturated fats, excessive carbohydrates, and other foods that negatively impact the body. Dietetics is the study of individual nutritional needs and related meal planning to meet those needs. Dietetics majors take courses in how the human diet affects chronic disease, medical nutrition therapy, and other topics related to helping students understand the link between diet and health. Many dietetics majors also participate in internship programs and research projects, allowing them to experience working in the field. This work experience, coupled with formal education, prepares dietetics majors for immediate entry into the field upon graduation.

Best Career Paths for Dietetics Majors
As maintaining the nationís health will always remain a top priority, dietetics majors have a wide array of employment opportunities available to them. The best career paths for dietetics majors are:

• Dietitian. Dietitians are responsible for assessing individuals and developing personalized meal plans that will provide the individuals with the nutrients they need. The specific duties of a dietitian vary depending on where they work. For example, clinical dietitians work in hospitals and other health care facilities. They often work alongside physicians to care for critically-ill patients, patients with special dietary needs, or patients that require dramatic weight management. On the other hand, consultant dietitians work either with health care facilities or in a private practice. They meet with clients who may not be suffering from serious nutritional issues but who desire nutritional advice nonetheless. They listen to the clientís concerns and desires, such as those who wish to lose weight or lower their cholesterol, and develop nutritional plans for the client based on those goals. Dietitians make an average salary of $50,590 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Food Service Managers. Food service managers are responsible for ensuring that restaurants, hospitals, and other establishments where meals are regularly served run smoothly and efficiently. They make certain that there is a plentiful supply of food, tools, and equipment so that the kitchen will function without glitches or delays. Food service managers also often hire new staff, coordinate staff scheduling, and work to provide patrons with the best possible dining experience. In addition, most service managers also oversee the quality and storage of the ingredients. Food service managers make an average salary of $46,320, according to the Bureau.

How to Market Your Dietetics Degree
You worked hard to earn your dietetics degree, so it is only logical to work hard to promote the education that your degree represents. When meeting with potential employers, emphasize all of the skills that you built during your college career, such as your analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills. If you participated in internships or outside clinical work, elaborate on how these experiences helped you to apply your classroom knowledge to the field and the insight you gained about the industry through working. The best way to prove to employers that your education makes you a highly qualified candidate for the position is to show them how the information you learned can be translated into working skills.