Dietitians

There are various ways to advance in this field. One of the best is further education. RDs with only a bachelor's degree may wish to obtain an advanced degree, which will enable them to apply for research, teaching, or public health positions that are not otherwise open to them. For example, a dietitian interested in working in community dietetics may get an advanced degree in public health; someone wanting to move into management may get a master's in business administration. RDs can also advance by getting further education that leads to specialty certification, such as the certified clinical nutritionist credential or the board certified specialist in pediatric nutrition. Often advancement depends on the goals of the individual, as he or she decides where to go with this career.

In the field of nutrition, as in most others, seniority, reliability, expertise, and experience count. An experienced clinical dietitian might ultimately become an administrative dietitian, for example, and a research dietitian might take charge of a research department.