Currently, I teach undergraduate students in lifetime health and fitness which is a wellness course that weaves together exercise, nutrition, and stress management into one class. I also teach an aquatic fitness class on campus and with adults at Donaldson Run Pool in the summer. Occasionally, I train adolescent athletes in body weight exercises and coach 11 year old boys in soccer.
Highlight key parts of your career path, challenges and choices
When I first began my career, I worked in nutrition policy and enjoyed the niche aspect of the job. Gradually, I turned more toward the community and worked in hospital wellness integrating nutrition, exercise, health, and wellness into my job. As I began raising a family, I contracted with local hospitals instead of working full time. I became a certified personal trainer. I wanted to maintain my professional involvement and yet balance my life with a large presence at home. As my children grew, I returned to academia and really enjoyed teaching undergraduate students about the importance of health and wellness in their lives. I would like to increase my hours on campus and contract with a local hospital working in health promotion. That way, I am not overwhelmed with full time work at the expense of my family life.
What has been the hardest part of your journey?
I believe you need to continually reinvent yourself at every stage in your career regardless if you stay in the same job or change positions. You need to challenge yourself with new projects and stay current in your field. It's important to remain passionate about what you do or choose a different path to keep things interesting and productive. Never let your job control you, but realize that life takes unexpected turns which force you to adapt in very creative ways.
What’s the best decision you’ve made?
So often, professionals will choose to work in either nutrition or fitness. Throughout my career, I've been able to marry the two into a health promotion career. I like the cognitive aspect of nutrition education, but performing the physical activity that the fitness part of the job offers. It's a great mix and sometimes hard to find in a job. I've had to follow a creative career path and stay flexible finding part time work in a demanding field.
Knowing what you know now, what advice do you have for others building a career?
Stay flexible in your career choice, but don't lose sight of what your true passion holds for you. It's also important to continually educate yourself through certificate programs and continuing education credits so you can stay current in your field of study.
Author of Untangling the Nutrition Web in Career Development. Manage marketing of book.
Highlight key parts of your career path, challenges and choices
Just out of graduate school I was determined to work directly in a community, so my first job was with the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. I learned a tremendous amount about people and education. I worked as an adjunct instructor for several institutions. Managed the web and reference team of the Food and Nutrition Information Center. Most recently, I developed and directed a program called Community Voices for Health at American University targeting middle schools with low-income students. Throughout the years, I have managed Nutrition Careers, updated the book and sold almost 10,000 copies. The 4th edition is due out the end of 2015.
What has been the hardest part of your journey?
I had the option to complete the requirements to attain the registered dietitian credential after graduate school, but at the time I had been living in a different city from my fiancee for 2 years and we were getting ready to get married. Since I was focused on education, I was advised that an RD wasn't going to be necessary. It turns out that the RD credential would have made getting a job a lot easier and given me a large professional community to engage with.
What’s the best decision you’ve made?
To continue to work part time while raising my children.
Knowing what you know now, what advice do you have for others building a career?
Establish your career for 5 - 10 years before having a family. That will give you more leverage to reduce your hours if you want and get back into the field when you are ready.
