Opportunities in School Nutrition

Menu Planning. As Gen Y and Gen Z consumers, students crave innovative menu concepts, while school nutrition professionals must adhere to strict nutritional guidelines and budget restrictions. Food allergy management in school nutrition programs is on the rise. Districts across the country now have gluten-free and vegetarian menus while also identifying the common allergens in the meals they serve. Dietitians assist districts who are transitioning to these special menus by carefully reviewing their recipes and ingredient lists and providing suggestions for alternative items that will meet both guidelines and budgetary constraints.

Farm to School. The increased interest in sustainability and food sourcing has allowed this program to expand in districts across the country. Dietitians are spearheading these programs in school districts by developing education materials for students on edible gardens, composting and environmental safety while also using their expertise as food and nutrition experts to help students understand how they can utilize their garden bounty in a variety of recipes. From school garden harvest meals to discussing the plant parts students can consume, the possibilities are endless in this role.

Nutrition Education. This is a sought-after position to help students understand the impact food choices have on their futures and academic success. Dietitians use their expertise in the field to develop curricula to target specific age groups on a variety of essential topics, from fruit and vegetable consumption to physical activity. These roles allow dietitians to be creative. Whether it is having a smoothie challenge to promote breakfast consumption or veggie bingo to help students learning English in school recognize their vegetables, the opportunities are endless.

Marketing and Communications. The push for school nutrition programs to engage with their consumers on social media is one that has been steadily rising. While larger districts hire dietitians specifically for this role, smaller districts have one person who might be managing the social media, menu planning, accounting, finances and acting as a substitute manager when they have someone out. This provides dietitians with the opportunity to seek full-time employment within a district or to act as a consultant for a handful of smaller districts. Whether it is managing websites and social media accounts, creating infographics and handouts, or writing blog or newsletter content, these opportunities allow dietitians to establish themselves in their field as the expert. This also is a wonderful way for a dietitian interested in marketing and communications to dabble without committing to doing this on his or her own.

Tips for Success

Interested in a career in school nutrition? Do your homework. Research the regulations and guidelines put into place by the USDA so that you understand the strict rules school nutrition programs must follow. Take time to meet with the school nutrition director at the district near you. This will allow you to find out about their program and to see what they are currently doing so that you can see where you might be able to help.

Not all mentorship experiences are formal relationships and mentors frequently may not be aware of the impact they had on their mentee. Mentorship relationships begin with a mutual connection that may not have started out as someone thinking about mentorship. While society tells us that we should all have mentors in our life, we also need to strive to become mentors to the next generation. Mentors are not necessarily those who work in the same industry as you; they can be family members, friends or, in the age of technology, those you encounter through social media connections. Each mentor in our life helps us to establish core values, work ethic and where we see ourselves in the future.

Whether you are looking for a mentor or a mentor seeking a mentee, here are some tips to make the experience mutually beneficial for both.

Mentees need to find someone who has a career that aligns with their goals. Make the connection with your prospective mentor through your actions. Whether it is volunteering on a committee they oversee or providing insight on the projects or programs they are responsible for, putting yourself out there to get noticed is the best way for your mentor to see you.

Mentorship does not have an age limit. If you are a tenured professional who wants to learn a new skill from someone younger, that is perfectly acceptable. The same applies to coaching someone who just started out in the field. You never know how a small action of advice or encouragement can transform a professional outlook. The concept behind mentorship is to pay it forward. We all started out in our career by someone giving us a chance and cultivating us.

Developing a meaningful mentor relationship is a two-way street.  Mentees should value the time they have with their mentor. Do not utilize this time to complain about your current position or ask questions you can easily find the answers to. Instead, ask insightful questions that will transform your career or position. Take your mentor’s advice seriously and remember that they are giving up some of their time to assist you. Mentors, on the other hand, should be diligent about checking in regularly with their mentee. Ask for progress on the questions or problems that were discussed during the last meeting.

Do not be afraid of constructive criticism. As a mentee, one should ask questions such as, “What can I be doing to achieve this goal?” or “How can I improve?” In return, a mentor should be mindful of the emotional aspect of a mentee being vulnerable in this situation and should provide meaningful feedback.

Mentors can have a great impact on their mentees through small actions such as recommending a mentee for a special project or program, introducing them to influential professionals in their network, or sharing their work with the public.

For more information on mentorship opportunities in nutrition, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics mentorship page.