Careers in Nutrition Katie Lechner Natalie Meltzer Nutrition 301 Advanced Food Science March 6, 2013

INTRODUCTION The need for a continuous and fresh supply of food has driven the food industry to modernize the way we feed the world (1). Nutrition science is developing in response to the growing obesity rates worldwide. Obesity is at an all time high, in the United States alone rates are as high as 33.9 %. (2). Nutrition related diseases and health issues are higher than they have ever been. The world is under-educated on nutrition related health problems. The study of nutrition is an interdisciplinary science, including aspects from chemistry, biology, physiology, engineering and physics. All of these sciences correlate together, integrating their principles to create the field of nutrition. The interdisciplinary sciences allow careers in the field of nutrition to cover a broad range of opportunities. Many college students today are choosing majors that emphasize health care with hopes to make a positive impact in other peoples lives. The field of nutrition encompasses many different types of healthcare professions. From an outpatient clinical setting, lab technician, food scientist, food safety leader, sport nutritionist and many more, the field of nutrition offers a wide variety of career opportunities. The main focus of the Foods and Nutrition major at San Diego State is on the clinical dietitian setting. Although this is a great opportunity as a profession, it is not the only option. Between all of the fad diets, rumors and the exponentially expanding field of nutrition, this generation of dietitians has a tremendous challenge and there are hundreds of opportunities to educate, develop, and work with nutrition. There are opportunities in food technology, food safety, food flavor development and culinary sciences. Jamba Juice Food Technologist, Research & Design A career opportunity for the position as a Food Technologist for Jamba Juice has opened in Emeryville, CA. The tasks included in this job include performing laboratory and research functions, research and design product testing, sample preparation, recipe development, and performing chemical, physical, and nutritional analyses. Several different types of testing are required for this job, including: product shelf life, equipment, distribution/transportation, and sensory/consumer, physical, chemical, and organoleptic testing samples. This position requires that there is documentation of the releases of product/raw materials and maintenance of a laboratory notebook. Qualifications for this position include: a minimum of four years in the food industry with a Bachelors degree in Food Science or an applicable science. A Masters degree is not required for this position, but is preferred. It is also required that an applicant has wet chemistry experience, strong math and technical skills, strong organizational skills, and knowledge in food processing, nutrition, algebra, and statistics. www.careers.stateuniversity.com reports that a career as a Food Technologist offers benefits including paid holidays and vacations, pension plans, and health insurance (4). www.salary.com states that the average annual salary in America for a Food Technologist is $64,397 (5).

The work of a food scientist today has evolved in accordance with evolving consumer demands (1). Food technology is an important career because it is directly related to the products we see in the grocery store. As a Food Technologist working in research and design, it is required to test the product before mass-producing the product. In new product development, this process is identified as a critical success factor for the new product (6). For Jamba Juice, consumer testing could be the difference between the next best smoothie and a product that falls flat. Food Safety Leader The company PrincetonOne, a recruiting services provider for other companies with unmet staffing needs, has a career opportunity for a Food Safety Leader in the Food and Beverage Production Industry. The location of this job is considered Statewide, CA meaning that if there is a vacancy in any companies within California, the applicant will be notified. The Food Safety Leader is responsible for all management systems, HACCP, quality, and food safety training and operation, food safety audits plus knowledge of all the safety standards, regulations, processes, and certifications within the plant. He/she must ensure proper sanitary conditions at all times. Lastly, the job involves continuous improvement and coordination with the corporate quality team to identify potential risks and to put corrective action in place. The importance of a Food Safety Leader is discussed in Improving Sanitation of Food Processing Surfaces. Food production has become increasingly automated, and as a result, has lead to more cross contamination of foods. Contamination may occur during harvest, processing, or post-processing and need to be managed at a microbial level (7). A Food Safety Leader ensures sanitation is always maintained and improved and emphasizes regulations for large businesses to keep any contamination outbreaks to the minimum. This career requires a minimum of a Bachelors degree, but there is no specification in what field it is required. At least fives years in the food and beverage industry is preferred, with direct involvement of food safety, quality control, sanitation, and a strong understanding of HACCP, SQF, GMP, FDA, USDA, and CFIA regulations. In addition, it is beneficial for an applicant to have experience managing projects and groups of people. Benefits received as a Food Safety Leader include an annual income ranging from $84,000 - $94,000 (8). Other incentives include bonus pay opportunities, 401k with dollar for dollar match on the first 6%, dental and vision care at a minimum cost, paid continuing education related to the role and industry, flexible schedule, twelve paid holidays, and promotion opportunities (9). Senior Flavor Scientist F-O-R-T-U-N-E Personal Consultants of Charlotte, located in Indianapolis, IN has an opening for a Senior Flavor Scientist. This position was created due to a need for product improvement and better management of corporate business.

The main focus of the Senior Flavor Scientists is to manage a team of flavorists and lab technicians for beverage development. The applicant is expected to develop new beverage applications as well as manage current beverage production. He/she will also be required to coordinate with sales, marketing and operations within the company. The Senior Flavorist is expected to focus objectives for employees by preparing comprehensive project reports and presentations. In order to maintain all of this comprehensive data, the applicant must have strong knowledge of managing computer data and screening flavor systems. Sensory analysis techniques are also an important skill for this job. Flavor perception is one of the most complex of human behaviors (15). Flavor involves almost all senses and it can be linked to what people consume and why they are attracted to certain foods. Due to the intensive job tasks, the experience needed for this position is extremely comprehensive. In order to apply for the position, the applicants must have a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Food Science. Along with their degrees, applicants must also have at least 10 years of experience in beverage or flavor formation (10). Although this particular job requires additional education and experience, it provides adequate compensations. As stated in the job posting, the Senior Flavor Scientists can be paid anywhere from 100,000-150,000 dollars per year (10). Scientists will also have benefits, including: paid holidays and vacations, pension plans, and health insurance (11). Director Culinary Services Atria Senior Living, one of the nations largest senior-living services, has a job opening as the Director of Culinary Services at their location in San Diego, California. Atria Senior Living has over 120 different retirement home locations nationwide. The companys goal is to meet the individualized needs of senior citizens and customize their assisted living communities. The job of the Director of Culinary Services is to manage the entire culinary department in the San Diego community. In order to apply, applicants must be innovative, creative, and passionate and have the ability to manage an entire restaurant. In order to apply for this position the applicant must understand their own skills and the job tasks of this opportunity. The applicant must have at least three to five years experience managing a food service department. This job requires the director to manage the kitchen and the applicant must also be an excellent cook. Other important skills include understanding budget management, knowledge of basic health sanitation and safety codes, basic computer skills, and the skills of being hands on manager. The director must understand the hiring process and perform proper background and drug screening tests on future employees. Managing an entire restaurant and culinary department entails many job requirements. Individually, the director must have experience planning menus and preparing items on the menu. He/she must prepare food for their communitys population. Malnutrition is widespread in the elderly population (14) and therefore the director must plan menus based on the distinct needs in the elderly diet. One of the most important skills in this job is understanding customer service. The applicant must understand customer relations, both in the front and the back of the

house. In the restaurant, the director is expected to train kitchen staff in all methods of cooking, presentation and service standards. The director is also responsible for all food inventories. This is an amazing job opportunity for any qualifying applicant. The job posting listed the benefits of this position as: 401k and tuition reimbursement, regular full-time work hours, standard work schedule, opportunity to become a part of family community, the flexibility to create menus, and most importantly run your own restaurant (12). The salary Conclusion Careers with a basis in nutrition have evolved over time and are still growing. Due to the increase in public interest and the increase in obesity and related diseases, there has been a growing demand for people in the field of nutrition (13). While becoming a clinical dietitian is a great career option, it is important to know all the other available opportunities. By focusing on four different careers with a foundation of nutrition, great insight is shown to other careers available in the industry at this time. As San Diego State students graduating with degrees in Foods and Nutrition, it is this generations task to educate the community about the interdisciplinary topic of nutrition. The foundation of nutrition permits a positive impact on peoples lives by educating the population in nutrition and related health problems. As research has indicated, there are many different opportunities for nutrition science to improve current conditions and broaden the scope of what can be done through nutrition. Professional Statement Natalie Meltzer I plan to graduate from San Diego State University in the spring of 2014. Hopefully by this date, I will be accepted into an internship program to achieve my Registered Dietitian license. I will go anywhere in the country that accepts me into their program because it is important for me to be in the program promptly. Also, I wouldnt mind living somewhere other than California for a year! My ultimate career goal does not necessarily include becoming a Clinical Registered Dietitian. I plan to achieve my RD license so I can find work soon after I receive my certification and to give myself more perspective into the nutritional field. Upon completing my internship, I would like to use my new certification to jump-start into a career as an RD that allows me to practice the knowledge I have gained. I would like to find work as a clinical dietitian at a military based hospital. I want to work as a civilian in the military hospitals because there many options worldwide and I would have an opportunity to move around the world as a member of the military forces. After a few years working as a clinical dietitian, and after finding security and stability in my life, I would like to return to school to earn my Masters degree. Areas I am interested in include Food Science, Nutrition, and Biotechnology. I believe earning a Masters degree would expand my job opportunities and give me an advantage over other job applicants. I have noticed that many of the careers I researched for this

project require a Bachelors degree, but note that a Masters degree is a plus. While I am not 100% sure on the specific advanced degree I will pursue, I would love to work in a laboratory setting. Some careers in which I would be able to work in a laboratory would involve quality assurance, product development, and research. Hopefully, by working as an RD for many years, I will be able to transition to a new career emphasizing my area of interest within a Masters program.

Professional Statement: Katie Lechner I plan to graduate from San Diego State in the spring of 2014 with a Foods and Nutrition degree in the DPD program. Once I graduate, I will apply to internships as I pursue a profession as a Registered Dietitian. I am still somewhat unsure of what I really want to do after I obtain my R.D. license. I know that I do not want to work as a Clinical Dietitian in a hospital setting, but I know it is a step toward my overall career goal- to obtain my R.D. and use it for further employment. If I continue in the field of nutrition I hope to work in an area of sports nutrition or in new product development. If I decide to pursue product development I will look for jobs in the food science industry. Sports nutrition is appealing to me because I am a huge sports fan and exercise fanatic. Throughout my classes at San Diego State I have found classes such as physiology and anatomy to be the most intriguing. Therefore, I think I would enjoy a career in sports nutrition and working with athletes. Another area of interest in the nutrition field is food allergies and finding the cause or creating prevention. Peanut allergies, for example, are increasing and food allergies can be fatal to those allergic. It would be extremely interesting and rewarding to find a job in this type of work. Of course, if I continue in the field of nutrition I would want to obtain a Masters degree, in my area of interest. In addition to expanding knowledge and understanding in the field, an advanced degree opens the door for more professional opportunities. I am also interested in the nursing profession.. I came into San Diego State as a nursing student but switched majors my junior year for graduation purposes. I am still interested in the nursing profession and if I am not accepted into an internship for my R.D., I plan on applying to nursing schools within California and possibly Arizona. I hope to be accepted into an internship for my R.D., and then still may consider a career in nursing. Having an R.D. license and an RN license would give me a strong upper hand at the hospital. After nursing school my first choice would be to work as a nurse in the emergency room or in the operating room. Working in pediatrics would also be an interesting as I would have an opportunity to work with children and educate them about their nutrition earlier on in their life.

References 1. Murano, Peter S. Understanding Food Science and Technology. Belmont, CA. Wadsworth, 2003. 2. Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed at: https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featuredstory-archive/2012-featured-story-archive/obesity-according-to-the-world-factbook.html Accessed on March 4, 2013. 3. Jamba Juice, Food Technologist Research & Design. Accessed at: http://jobview.monster.com/Food-Technologist-R-D-Job-Emeryville-CA-118557387.aspx. Accessed on Jan 24, 2013. 4. Jamba Juice, Food Technologist Research & Design benefits. Accessed at: http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/60/Food-Scientist.html Accessed on Jan 29, 2013. 5. Jamba Juice, Food Technologist Research & Design salary. Accessed at:. http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Food-Scientist-Salary-Details.aspx Accessed on Jan 29, 2013 6. van Kleef, Ellen. Consumer Research in the Early Stages of New Product Development: A Critical Review of Methods and Techniques. Food Quality and Preference. 2005: Volume 16 (Issue 3): Pages 181-201. 7. Goddard, JM. Improving the Sanitation of Food Processing Surfaces. Food Technology. 2011: Volume 65 (Issue 10): Pages 40-40. 8. PrincetonOne, Food Safety Leader. Accessed at: http://jobview.monster.com/Food-Safety-Leader-Job-statewide-CA-US-115584378.aspx Accessed on: Jan 25, 2013 9. Email with PrincetonOne brian.orges@princetonone.com Accessed on: February 8, 2013 10. Shepard, Gordon M. Smell images and the flavour system in the human brain. Nature. 2006. Volume 444 (Issue 7117): pgs. 316-321.

11. FORTUNE Personal Consultants, Senior Flavor Scientist. Accessed at: http://jobview.monster.com/Senior-Flavor-Scientist-Job-Indianapolis-IN-115477744.aspx Accessed on February 6, 2013 12. State University, Senior Flavor Scientist Benefits. Accessed at: http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/60/Food-Scientist.html Accessed on February 6, 2013. 13. Volkert, Dorothee. Malnutrition in older adults- Urgent Need for Action: A Plea for Improving the Nutrition of Older Adults. Gerontology. Feb, 8 2013. 14. Atria Management Company LLC, Director Culinary Services. Accessed at: http://jobview.monster.com/Director-Culinary-Services-Job-San-Diego-CA-120178882.aspx. Accessed on March 4, 2013. 15. Salary for Director of Culinary Service. Accessed at: http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Catering-Manager-Salary-Details.aspx Accessed on March 5. 2013 16. Butler A. Information on Careers in Nutrition. Accessed at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/381926-information-on-careers-innutrition/#ixzz2McdsmDcX. Accessed on March 4, 2013