Answer to Question 1Check out the various careers open to an RD and/or DTR by surfing the ADA and CDA websites. In particular, check out related employment on the Careers & Students page of the ADA website. Or, it may be helpful to contact an RD or DTR that is working in a job you would desire and ask if you can interview them about their job or even shadow them for a day. It may be more realistic to volunteer at one of the events that relates to a future job.
Once you are convinced that you are truly passionate about dietetics, then it is time to contact a DPD, CP, or DTR director to learn about these programs. You will want to discover the focus of the program, length of time for you to complete the requirements, and generally, whether the program will lead you to successfully gain entrance into a Supervised Practice Program (dietetic internship) or DTR Program. Current students are a wealth of information; you may want to shadow a student for part of a day to spend more time with them and ask questions about financial aid, course offerings, DI/DTR placement, and future career aspirations.
You need to ask and with whom to speak about these topics:
What is the application process?
CONTACT: Office of the Registrar/Office of Admissions
WILL NEED TO USE: Undergraduate/Academic Catalog
- What G.P.A. is expected to gain admittance into the program? (Is there a minimum G.P.A.?)
- What courses are transferable for credit in your program? (transcript evaluationyou need to know the total credits that will be counted toward your degree)
What is the deadline for the application?
What is the cost of the program?
CONTACT: Office of Financial Aid
- Tuition fees (amount per academic unit)
- Travel costs? Is a car needed?
- Housing costs?
- Daycare costs? Is there subsidized daycare available?
- Are scholarships offered?
- Are stipends offered?
What are the academic requirements of the program?
- Are you able to map out a 2-, 4-, 6-year plan?
- Do you have the pre-requisite courses? If not, can they be taken elsewhere? These need to be evaluated by the DPD director prior to the start of your program.
- How long will it take to complete this program?
- If you need to complete a degree, how long will it take?
- What nutrition courses are transferable in this program?
What are the unexpected hurdles of nontraditional students?
- Varying times of course offerings (determine if evening or weekend courses are offered)
- Unusual burdens (may need to fix some personal stuff before you can focus and complete a DPD, CP, DTR, or DI program)
- Coordinate work and academic schedules (map out your finances, secure employment beforehand; in addition, stay in contact with your professors)
- If need daycare, again, arrange prior to start of program
- Discover scholarships from as many sources as possible
- Begin with classes your feel confident
- Make sure you have access to e-mail and the Internet
- Schedule a campus resources tour; this will be a time saver later
- Know your time frame well and set realistic goals
- Know drop deadlines and book return policies
- Consider online and summer courses, scheduled carefully
- Check out alumni networking services
- Use CDA website
Since competition is keen for post-baccalaureate supervised practice programs, then what can I do to increase my chances of success?
- Develop a strong academic record
- Develop strong relationships for strong recommendations
- Acquire both volunteer and paid work experience (> 1 year)
- Join related CDA, ADA, and student organizations
- Be aware that leadership, self-motivation, management of multiple responsibilities, and positive communication skills are hallmark traits of all successful RDs and DTRs
Answer to Question 2You may already have a future dietetics-related job in mind; however, the profession of Dietetics is expanding and growing with new research and professional practice. Some of the current employment highlights include:
Administrative RD or DTR Private Practice
Clinical RD or DTR Restaurant Manager
Community RD or DTR Public Health Nutritionist
Dietetic Educator Wellness Educator
Research RD or DTR Media Educator
School Lunch Program Manager Food and Drug Inspector
Sports Dietitian Food Service Supervisor
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