How To Find A Career In Nutrition That Makes You Happy
If you’re just starting a career in nutrition or currently in one you hate, you’re in the right place!
This blog covers three questions I explore with my career coaching clients to help them find the perfect nutrition career. These considerations will save you time, money, and frustration and will lead you to a career in nutrition that truly makes you happy.
My guess is that your nutrition school emphasized the incredible career opportunities that their education would bring—a six-figure business, flexible work hours, and exciting collaborations.
But now you’ve graduated, and the reality of choosing a satisfying nutrition career is setting in.
Picking a career path, especially one linked to a subject you’re passionate about, is multi-factorial. You have to weigh your financial well-being, the amount of time you can invest, and the long-term viability of the job.
Pair these with the fact that many nutritionists are also entrepreneurs, and you have a lot to think about!
There’s one factor that you might miss, and it’s the most critical piece for a career in nutrition.
That factor is YOU.
Will you be happy in the career you choose? Will you feel deep satisfaction through your work?
Below are the three “happiness” questions I cover with every career coaching client.
By diving into these questions, you’ll learn an incredible amount about what nutrition careers will and won’t be the best options for you.
What’s in your heart?
First, we start with what’s in your heart. I’m a firm believer in listening to the subtle whisperings that come from deep within.
What activities captivate your attention so much that you lose track of time while doing them?
What plans make you so excited that you can’t wait to get out of bed in the morning?
What do you keep coming back to in your life, over and over again?
These questions are heart-centered. They lead you back to ideas and events you love. Yes, you love nutrition. But that love must be translated into a day job that reflects your passion.
What are you good at?
The second set of considerations is more analytical.
These focus on your job aptitude—your propensity for some tasks and not for others. So, what are you good at? And what are you not good at?
What are your tendencies? Are you messy or organized? Are you super productive when working around others? Or, do you prefer working alone?
Do you love creating systems and managing people?
Do you prefer focusing on big ideas and concepts versus granular detail work?
Understanding your strong tendencies helps you better navigate toward a career in nutrition that is satisfying to your heart, your mind, and your pocketbook! Ultimately, it feels good to be capable at your job—feeling good equates to sustainability, i.e., a job that lasts.
What do you want to learn?
The final part of a happy and satisfying nutrition career is learning.
Undeniably, there will be places where your interests and tendencies diverge. When this occurs, you have to get to work.
I’ve found that asking people what they would like to learn, what they’re interested in but not yet familiar with, best identifies where they will, can, and should put in some hours. Goal accomplishment is a fantastic feeling.
Pairing goal accomplishment with furthering a career in nutrition is even better.
So, what do you want to learn? Are you interested in public speaking but haven’t yet joined a Toast Masters group?
Are you intrigued by building websites? Becoming a better writer? Or brushing up your bowling skills?
Yes, you read that right!
Any area that piques your curiosity applies to your happiness in a nutrition career. Why?
Skill-building translates into all areas of your life. And, nine times out of ten, that thing you want to get better at will directly impact your career satisfaction. Just ask my client who wanted to learn how to surf. She now lives in Nosara, Costa Rica, teaching surf lessons and seasonal eating to foodie tourists.
Set aside an hour to answer these questions, and do your best to be completely honest and vulnerable.
What do you love? What are you good at? What do you want to learn? They will help guide you to a career in nutrition that makes you happy!
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