Undergraduate training in nutrition can lead to careers in industry, hospitals, schools, colleges, government agencies, and clinics. A nutrition degree can also provide a sound background for those intending to go to graduate school in any of the life sciences or the health professions. The Department of Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers provides options in Dietetics, Nutrition, and Food Service Administration. The Dietetics option is appropriate for students seeking careers as clinical dietitians, nutritionists, health educators, and consumer specialists in food and nutrition. People with this study option engage in such activities as assessing patients' nutritional needs, developing and implementing nutritional programs and evaluating patients' progress.
Most positions are available at hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and health maintenance programs.
The Nutrition option offers a solid background for those considering graduate training in the health or life sciences. Students are also prepared for entry level research positions in the biomedical and nutritional biochemistry fields. Positions are available in academic research centers, pharmaceutical companies, medical centers, and government agencies. The Food Service Administration option provides training for careers involving large scale meal planning in hospitals, hotels, company cafeterias, prisons, schools, and other large institutions. Responsibilities typically include the supervision of food service workers, budgeting, purchasing and preparing reports.