Career Opportunities

The Nutrition Communication Program accepted its first class in 1995. As of May 2005, there are 83 graduates. Recently we asked them to tell us about their careers. The response rate of 80% was fantastic. Here is what we learned:

What do alums enjoy most about their jobs? In the words of one of them:

"It is exactly what I was seeking when I entered graduate school."

Three themes describe what they like most:

Flexibility

"Freelancing allows me to work on a variety of different projects and with many different clients. I enjoy that variety—it keeps things fresh. I also enjoy the flexibility and freedom that comes with being my own boss."
Variety

"I get to work on a broad range of interesting projects and programs ranging from overseeing traditional marketing programs ... to managing health research programs. The variety of challenges and opportunities to continue expanding my nutrition communication skills keeps me excited and engaged."
Creativity

"... Communications is evolving and so is nutrition... My position allows me to have one foot firmly planted in the science and one in communicating that science. The communications foot allows for a great range of creativity combining the best practices from other fields with what we've learned over time... the chance to be part of that evolution is ... a great opportunity ..."

Here is what they are doing:

Job	Percentage
Freelance / consulting	19%
Other	11%
Public Health	11%
Public	11%
Research	9%
Food industry	8%
Publishing	7%
Not currently employed	7%
Nutrition counseling	5%
Dietetic intern	4%
Government / policy	3%
Pharmaceutical sales	3%
Program interventions	2%

What about salaries?

40% make $51-70,000
11% make $71-85,000
7% make > $86,000

Those earning less than $51,000 include dietetic interns and graduates who are either not working or working part-time.

And finally, program graduates are satisfied with their jobs:

Satisfaction rates of Nutrition Communication program alumnæ, with respect to their current jobs