Career Possibilities: Open the Door to your Dream Job

RDs-to-BeCareer Possibilities: Success Stories to Help Open the Door to your Dream Job : RDs-to-BeCareer Possibilities: Success Stories to Help Open the Door to your Dream Job MELISSA HALAS-LIANG, RD, MA, CDE melissa@superkidsnutrition.com www.superkidsnutrition.com http://blog.superkidsnutrition.com/ http://twitter.com/fitnutrition JOIN SUPERKIDS NUTRITION ON FACEBOOK

Today’s Webinar Sponsors : Today’s Webinar Sponsors Visit http://www.efslibrary.net/ to learn more about on-line learning & how to expand your RD career to include fitness training, check out their comprehensive program that counts for 250 CPE units for RD Visit www.superkidsnutrition.com for tools on how to teach families and communities to grow healthy Visit www.AllAccessInternships.com to learn about their services Thanks to LAD students for their membership Join your local district and get involved!

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB? : WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB? What is your dream job? What steps are you taking now to get there? What steps do you plan to take after this webinar, before you graduate, after you graduate? How are you inspired? What do you want in life? How does this shape your career choices?

Career Success Stories –Snap Shot : Career Success Stories –Snap Shot Gay L. Winterringer PhD/RD: Clinical RD at first, then off to Paris, now develops functional “Better For You Products” at Innobake Brands Erika Garrity Pied -Nutrition Manager along the border of Thailand working with refugees www.jobsindietetics.com, "Come, Explore Your Future"

Slide 5 : Starting out Alamo claims “networking was the key” in how she got started and became successful When she started her own business, “I did not even have to advertise because people I had worked with, and gotten to know, referred my services” Maria C. Alamo, MPH, RD, LD

Maria C. Alamo, MPH, RD, LD : Maria C. Alamo, MPH, RD, LD Volunteered and was active in the association (President of the New Orleans Dietetic Association) when she first got started Managed the Clinical Nutrition Department and a prestigious National Institutes of Health research grant

“Culturally competent food and nutrition consulting” : “Culturally competent food and nutrition consulting” 10 years ago started her own consulting company that focuses on nutrition education for the public, food and health communication programs, and strategic initiatives to reach the U.S. Hispanic market. Applies knowledge to current trends in Hispanic culture to reach her target population effectively, “so excited to record an education message on the ADA consumer hotline ...in Spanish!”

NICOLE QUARTUCCIO, R.D, DIRECTOR OF NUTRITION, HEALTHY DINING, SAN DIEGO, CA : NICOLE QUARTUCCIO, R.D, DIRECTOR OF NUTRITION, HEALTHY DINING, SAN DIEGO, CA Nutrition analysis on healthier menu items from hundreds of Southern California restaurants (as a student) Identified the healthier options Work with the chefs suggested simple modifications – like less cheese, oil or salt – that would improve the nutrition profile of the dishes

Slide 9 : NICOLE QUARTUCCIO, R.D Look for work and an employment environment that you love Be open to challenges and new opportunities Get involved in the local dietetic association gain exposure to diverse RD career choices Stay alert to other professional associations and volunteer opportunities that can enhance your skill set Future CDA President!

GITA PATEL, MS, RD, CDE, LD : BS in nutrition from India, MS –US 1978, took time off to raise her children, taught nutrition through vegetarian Indian cooking in a variety of venues including television At age 48, she and her husband divorced, eldest daughter left for college. She was “in the depths of depression” Went back to school to become a RD Worked at a community hospital with Diabetes patients, became a CDE, started a private practice GITA PATEL, MS, RD, CDE, LD

GITA PATEL, MS, RD, CDE, LD : GITA PATEL, MS, RD, CDE, LD Involvement in DPG’s and volunteering for ADA provided writing/speaking opportunities Certified LEAP therapist /Radio shows Consults with Arysta Life Sciences in Japan She consulted with Bluone Cooking Tours, to start vegetarian cooking tours in Italy.

Slide 12 : GITA PATEL, MS, RD, CDE, LD Speaker Several National MS society conferences Community events She spoke at the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in Chicago Website: www.feedinghealth.com  “Translating the science of nutrition into the art of cooking.

Jo-Ann Heslin, MA, CDN, RD : Jo-Ann Heslin, MA, CDN, RD Thirty years ago, had to keep saying – “it’s RD not RN.” Coauthored first book in 1978 -publisher refused to include ‘RD’ credential (“no value”) Biggest turning point in career – lost a job (department was eliminated)  having 2 toddlers, and needing to work –decided to write cold-called the editor and he gave her an assignment on speculation

“Common sense eating advice from the experts” : “Common sense eating advice from the experts” Co-authored the first cholesterol counter in 1988 One of the first two dietitians to sit on the editorial advisory board for Prevention magazine, Associate Editor of The Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly “Sold over 7 million books” www.thenutritionexperts.com

Jo-Ann Heslin, MA, CDN, RD : Jo-Ann Heslin, MA, CDN, RD “Dietitians are the best people to communicate the message of healthy eating because we’re educated in the science and we live it every day” Nutrition is ever-changing and evolving, so you never run out of material to translate and share Having kids and being a work-from-the-house mommy made her the most efficient worker who never had the luxury of writer's block “Having tenacity and a thick skin are great assets to possess”

Rosalind V. Benner, RD, LD : Rosalind V. Benner, RD, LD Minor in Institutional Management -direct food service early in her career Noticed food service employees needed knowledge about special diets - developed a work shop on unique diets of patients with chewing and swallowing problems Taught workshops in 56 cities around the country Developed a series of videos to educate others about special diets for patients

Rosalind V. Benner, RD, LD : Rosalind V. Benner, RD, LD Employed by H-E-B Grocery after writing a proposal to the president of H-E-B Grocery Company, and telling him all of the things she could do for his stores as a consumer services dietitian. TV spokesperson for HEB “Something Is Always Cooking in Rosie's Kitchen”

Rosalind V. Benner, RD, LD : Rosalind V. Benner, RD, LD Use your imagination and creativity to look for all possible opportunities Be dedicated to staying on the “cutting edge” in as many areas as you are able to tackle Adopt a “can do” attitude even if it means having to educate yourself for the task Try to include culinary training and the art of cooking in your career*

Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE : Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE Started in Clinical, Master’s Nutrition Ed., CNSD 10 years Started & Revamped Nutrition Support teams, electrolyte and insulin management Active in Medical Safety Committee, educational tasks forces, diabetes committee Provided in-services to surgical residences, staff and pharmacists on electrolyte and insulin management in Critical Care Nutrition Support Patients.

Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE : Organized Educational CPE day-events for RNs on Diabetes Management Clinical Nutrition Manager –gained experience to help start business and taught wt management classes Consulting on side –wellness, nutrition counseling, education, clinic work, expert witness, wrote clinical chapter Mentors source of inspiration/guidance (Thank you!) Volunteered in community - lead to 2 best paying jobs Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE

Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE : Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE Now teach at over a dozen universities providing on-line education- classes, count for 30 CPEs for Dietitians www.efslibrary.net President of the Los Angeles District Dietetic Association/Spokesperson for CDA Get involved with a small commitment (1 event per year) or more depending on your career goals and personal time available There’s no such thing as perfect timing

SuperKidsNutrition.com : SuperKidsNutrition.com Provide articles, kids activities, expert interviews, book reviews, resources, blog feed, coloring pages Developed the Super Crew® characters -who each get their powers from different color healthy foods. DPGs helped tremendously write an article for their newsletters! Don’t be tied down to traditional thinking Learn to embrace change

Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE : Wrote and published 2 Super Crew® children’s books Super Baby Abigail’s Lunch Time Adventure & Havoc at the Hillside Market Focus groups to shape characters Goal: Entertain & Engage 1st then provide healthy message Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE

Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE : Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE Offer community and special interest internship Video scripts Curriculum Development Learning activities Writing/Blogging Functional Food Research Review Nutrition Communication Meal Planning & Weight Management Presentation Development Media –adult, family & kids

Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE CNSD : Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE CNSD Latest project working on curriculum utilizing the Super Crew®, web-videos for schools, national initiative 1st foreword - Lisa Barnes (Penguin Books) 16 states –school’s on-line resource for Q and A & activities Listed on USDA website and state education board associations as resource Discover what you love –and work hard to get good at it Work with people who have shared values, ethics and goals “Saving the world one healthy food at a timeTM”

April Rudat, MS Ed, RD, LDN : April Rudat, MS Ed, RD, LDN Began career as a clinical dietitian Initially thought that nutrition counseling was her calling Began a Master’s in Counseling One month after her Master’s commencement ceremony, gave birth to twin babies which inspired next twist in her career Breast feeding twins –created a passion in researching the topic

“Oh yes you can breastfeed twins” : “Oh yes you can breastfeed twins” Kept a journal of what she learned and her experiences. Her twins pointed her towards a new career in writing - "Oh Yes You Can Breastfeed Twins!” www.ohyesyoucanbreastfeedtwins.com “To enhance your dietetics career, tailor your career to your interest areas, hone in on your strengths, and accomplish something extraordinary.”

Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RD, CDE : Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RD, CDE “B” student through undergraduate Took almost 10 years to finish grad school but finished with a 3.7 GPA, and a PhD Now is an Assistant Professor teaching biochemistry in a way that applies to everyday practice

Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RD, CDE : Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RD, CDE “Dietetics is still so young and evolving – there are numerous opportunities for all of us to reach whatever level of achievement we set for ourselves, and bring it to our clients, colleagues and students” “…all dreams are possible with commitment and hard work.”

Slide 30 : Opened a flower shop after having kids to allow more flexibility -able to bring children to work. Business boomed but after 5 years missed nutrition. Started a private nutrition counseling practice above flower shop. 2 businesses -1 building. By giving frequent nutrition talks in the community and at churches the nutrition business slowly took off. Peachy Seiden, MS, RD

Peachy Seiden, MS, RD : Peachy Seiden, MS, RD Moved to bigger space for flower shop and then created “nutrition Center” which offers 12 week weight loss programs, seminars, 1:1 counseling, yoga Revamped old flower shop to add kitchen into Health Smart Cooking School Last Year, after students persistent pushing, “Opened a Health Smart Café in an office building near downtown Cincinnati “Guiding families to good health and proper weight loss through good nutrition…"

Peachy Seiden, MS, RD : Peachy Seiden, MS, RD All of her businesses were self-funded “It took a lot of very hard mental and manual work, (plus blood, sweat and yes, TEARS!)” www.PeachysHealthSmart.com and www.peachysblossoms.com

Sheila Kelly, MS, RD : Sheila Kelly, MS, RD After stints in public health, clinical, management, diabetes education, and private practice she went ‘looking for her passion’ Consulted for diet and wellness websites in the late 90’s & In early 2000 Fused her knowledge of how consumers change behavior with a natural talent for marketing and product development, and her understanding of technology and the online world As Senior Director, Product Development, lead the development and launch of multiple online and handheld software programs to help consumers lose weight Team member responsible for a complete usability redesign of the WeightWatchers.com site Media spokesperson appearing on CNN, CNBC, Good Day New York, Glamour, Vogue, Modern Bride and many other media outlets

Sheila Kelly, MS, RD : Sheila Kelly, MS, RD While at WeightWatchers.com, became convinced of the need for RDs to develop business, communication, technology and career management skills to truly compete in ‘new world order’. In 2004, started Skelly Publishing (www.skellypublishing.com), an accredited CPE provider focused on empowering RDs to achieve true career potential and fulfillment. Author of 11 books. Skelly Publishing provides self-study printed and online CPE programs and webinars for RDs, DTRs and CDEs “I am so fortunate to wake up every day and love, love, love what I do! I also know what it’s like to NOT feel that way, and that’s why Skelly Publishing exists.”

Meri Raffetto, RD, LDN : Meri Raffetto, RD, LDN Offers an online, interactive nutrition program for RDs to counsel clients. How did she get started? A client asked if she could follow up via email to save costs”. Inspired, she pursued this business model. www.realivingnutrition.com “Having the ability to see when it is time to change directions” and perseverance are two important aspects of being successful

Meri Raffetto, RD, LDN : Meri Raffetto, RD, LDN Made mistakes along the way which is part of the process, but I have gained so much knowledge each step of the way. “Pay attention to inspired thoughts then act on them -this has been the biggest strength for me.”

Sandy Nissenberg, MPH, RD : Sandy Nissenberg, MPH, RD Worked as the Program Coordinator for Meetings and Conventions for the ADA Worried that her “nontraditional” work would limit her options for moving on Started writing books to “keep in touch with others and keep her identity” while raising her children, 16 years later –published 14 books Eating Right…..Feeling Good…..Staying Healthy

Jennifer Westerkamp –Dietetic Intern : Jennifer Westerkamp –Dietetic Intern COO & Co-founder of All Access Internships. Address the needs of the dietetic student community by offering an online collection of dietetic internship resources Offers a modern platform where dietetic students and interns can share their experiences with others www.allaccessinternships.com http://twitter.com/trendynutrition linkedin.com/in/jennywesterkamp trendynutrition.blogspot.com jennywesterkamp.blogspot.com jennywesterkampresume.blogspot.com

Create Your Next Opportunity : Create Your Next Opportunity Visit http://www.efslibrary.net/ to learn more about on-line learning and the Nutrition Certificate for Optimal Health, Wellness and Sport. Each course provides 30 CPE units for RDs/DTRs. See following slides for more details. Visit www.superkidsnutrition.com for expert nutrition articles, interviews, kids activities, books and resources to grow healthy families and communities.

Create Your Next Opportunity : Create Your Next Opportunity What are you doing now to discover your dream job? What steps do you plan to take now to make your future dream job happen? What’s next –starting today? Each RDs success is ultimately our own –let’s grow the profession together!

Thanks! : Thanks! Get involved in your local and state dietetic board to help grow your future career! Join Me On Facebook!