How the Food and Nutrition Major Prepares You for the Job Market
People who stick to a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise generally are less susceptible to illness and disease, have longer life spans, and enjoy a better quality of life than those who do not practice healthy habits. In fact, much 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 infertility, according to Harvard Universityís School of Public Health. With diet playing such an important part of everyday life and health, food and nutrition majors have an important duty to keep the countryís diet as varied and nutritious as possible. Food and nutrition majors take courses in cultural influence of food and nutrition, food preparation, nutrition therapy, and other topics that will expand student knowledge of the link between health and diet. Many students also take part in research and laboratory work so that they will be ready to immediately join the field upon graduation.

Best Career Paths for Food and Nutrition Majors
A healthy diet is always preferred, and with a growing population, ensuring that the foods fed to the nation are of the best quality is essential. The best career paths for food and nutrition majors are:

• Nutritionist. Nutritionists promote healthy eating habits and oversee the food preparation, menu offerings, and dietary needs of an establishment, business, or individual. Many nutritionists work with hospitals and schools to plan the meals and dishes that will be served, ensuring that the menu is not too high in saturated fats, salt, or other unhealthy elements. Some nutritionists also work directly with patients who need dramatic diet supervision, such as overweight patients and patients with diabetes. Nutritionists 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, supplies, 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 Food and Nutrition Degree
After spending years in the classroom and hours on research projects and internships, you finally earned your food and nutrition degree. Ensure that potential employers understand the value of your hard-earned education as you begin looking for work upon graduation. Elaborate on all of the skills and knowledge you obtained from your college career, such as your research, analytical, and plan development capabilities. If you participated in internships or volunteer work related to your field, mention how your classroom knowledge helped you gain further insight into the work and what you took away from the experience. The best way to market your food and nutrition degree is to prove to employers that you can take what youíve learned from your college education and apply that knowledge to real-world working situations.