Professional Opportunities

Career Opportunities
The opportunities open to a student graduating with a BS in Dietetics are endless! Some careers may require an RD or additional schooling; others may not. A dietetic student may potentially become a foodservice manager (commercial or institutional), a community nutritionist (i.e., WIC or Headstart), a consultant to major food corporations (i.e., Kellogg, Kraft), or go into sales. Dietetic students may choose to go on to graduate school, medical, dental or veterinary medical school/or join the Peace Corps.

The future professions/careers open to dietitians are only limited by a person's courage and imagination. It is essential that as a student you do not allow yourself to be bound to existing areas. If there is already a career you feel is perfect for you, that is great! But, experts in dietetics also need to carve their own niches in the professional world. New opportunities are opening everywhere!

Peace Corps
In addition to volunteer and career opportunities, students graduating with a BS in Dietetics may have the qualifications for serving as a Peace Corps representative. The Peace Corps is an exciting avenue toward enriching one's growth and self identity. As a Peace Corp worker, one could do anything from working in a village organizing community sanitation projects to teaching basic nutrition and hygiene in a school or working in a recuperation center for malnourished children. The dietetic volunteer in the Peace Corps grows in professional confidence and competence, developing highly valued skills in the broad field of international health. More and more there is a demand for professionals with a world view who have the ability to take on new problems in new environments. Typical volunteers serve only two years and rarely do they regret their experiences. To obtain more information about the Peace Corps you can call them at 1-800-424-8580 or visit their website at http://www.peacecorps.gov./


The American Dietetic Association (ADA)
The American Dietetic Association is the nation's largest professional organization for dietitians. As a student enrolled in a dietetic program in an accredited university, but not yet eligible for active membership, you have the opportunity to become a student member of the organization. Benefits of membership include:

  • The American Dietetic Association Journal

  • ADA Courier - a monthly newsletter regarding professional activities

  • Continuing education programs and materials

  • Professional publications

  • Member discounts on publications and merchandise

  • Annual Meeting registration at a reduced rate

  • Dietetic practice groups

  • Membership in state association

  • Job announcements

By far, the most important advantages to you as an ADA student member are the Journal, networking, and the chance to improve your marketability. You get all this for a very small annual fee. Ask an adviser for more information. The Dietetic faculty strongly urge you to become a member of ADA.

To join The American Dietetic Association as a student member, in addition to submitting the fee, you must complete a membership application.  You can obtain the application form online at the American Dietetic Association website (http://www.eatright.org/).

The Michigan Dietetic Association
The Michigan Dietetic Association is Michigan's professional organization for dietitians. Students who are ADA student members are automatically members of the State Association. Some of the advantages include:

  • Newsletters and publications

  • Annual Meeting (Registration is at a reduced rate for students.)

  • Dietetic practice groups for practitioners and educators

  • Networking

  • and more.......

By becoming a MDA member one can improve his/her marketability, networking and get to know dietitians in one's own area. Consult your adviser for more information, or you can access the website at www.eatrightmich.org.

Lansing Dietetic Association
The local Lansing Dietetic Association, one of the state dietetic associations, can provide students a good opportunity to attend professional meetings, interact with local dietitians, and develop professionally. The membership fee for students is nominal and the rewards are great professionally and personally. LDA members often know of job opportunities for students. LDA offers a scholarship annually.

Honorary Societies
Students who maintain a high GPA and/or fulfill other criteria are most likely to be asked to become a member of a campus honor society. The benefits of joining these societies include recognition for your achievements, boosting a resume, networking , and an opportunity to gain experience in an organization by becoming an officer and developing leadership skills. However, joining an honor society can be costly. The initial fee could be $50 or more. There may also be annual dues to consider. Honor society membership is a product of your hard work, and it allows for recognition of your achievements.
Kappa Omicron Nu (KON), the National Honor Society of the Human Sciences is one honorary society a student may be invited to join. It is open to junior, senior and graduate level students who maintain a high GPA. Information about KON is available from Mrs. Linda Summers, Dietetics Adviser in 106 Trout Food Science Building or by e-mail at summer24@msu.edu.


Food & Nutrition Association (FNA)
The FNA is an organization for and led by students enrolled in Dietetics or Nutritional Sciences. Meetings are held biweekly. There is a nominal membership fee for FNA which varies from year to year. Many interesting topics related to nutrition, foods and dietetics are discussed at meetings. Some past topics have included behavior and food habits, HIV and nutrition, eating disorders, resume writing and many more. Presentations given by area professionals introduce students to varied career opportunities in dietetics. Other events the FNA participates in are the Lansing Dietetic Food-n-Fitness Fun Run, pot-luck dinners, a community service project and department and college events. In addition to obtaining information about the field of nutrition, students also get a chance to make new friends and meet the faculty. Meetings are announced in HNF classes, and posted on the bulletin boards in Trout Food Science and Human Nutrition Building and Anthony Hall. Being an officer is an excellent leadership opportunity. Elections are held at the end of spring semester for the following year. For further information contact fna@msu.edu or an adviser. FNA members are eligible to apply for the two FNA scholarships offered annually.
http://www.msu.edu/~fna

Student Senate of The College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Student Senate is the academic voice of students in the college of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It is composed of one undergraduate representative of every student club and every major in the College. Everyone is invited to attend the meetings.

College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Student Ambassadors

Students in the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources who are enthusiastic about their MSU experience may be nominated by faculty and advisers to be CANR student Ambassadors. Ambassadors assist the College by hosting guests on campus and traveling to high schools or community colleges, career fairs, or conferences to speak with prospective students interested in MSU and CANR programs.


Student Participation: Department Undergraduate Affairs Committee
Student participation in the Department's decisions is important. Keeping the Department in contact with the students and their needs benefits everyone. The student who becomes involved with the Department Undergraduate Affairs Committee learns a great deal not only about the rules, procedures and processes, but also about working as a part of a team and accomplishing goals. The learning is invaluable. Contacting the department chairperson and members of committees that are of particular interest to you are the best ways to learn more about what is going on, be a part of the changes you would like to see, and create your own learning experience. Student members from the Food & Nutrition Association, Nutritional Sciences Club, and Food Science Club are elected to serve on the Department Undergraduate Affairs Committee.

Mentoring
Mentoring is an important aspect in the field of dietetics. It is an opportunity to share the knowledge that one has gained through experience with someone that is just beginning in the major. To be a mentor a student should give his/her name and phone number to his/her adviser. When an advisee needs to have questions about the program answered from a student's perspective, the student can call the mentor. This is an excellent opportunity to build relationships with people who are in the major. The mentor can often help someone by using past experiences or by just giving little tips to make students' lives a little easier (for example, three or four very difficult courses and working 20+ hours a week is not wise). This network process is only the beginning of the mentoring process that one will be involved in for years ahead, as long as one is willing to take the time and initiative to receive and give advice!