How random a thought

[Zoe Girl]

I have pretty much settled into the type of work I do, I love a lot it. However there are many looong hours at times and I recognize the need for a burn out plan. That really was the mediation training which I haven't had much time to work with (but it doesn't expire after all).

Then I was getting together the stuff for my potluck and had a thought about doing dietician/nutrition work. Hmm, who knows if that will ever come up as an option. I did do the kitchen manager job at the last retreat and it was very smooth and natural for me, including the gluten free, no nightshades, vegetarian, etc. limits. A challenge for sure. And right now I read 5 recipes for crockpot dal and am going to just make it.

Of course there is training and school so it may never actually come to pass but it is a really good option of a next career.

[iris lilies]

I have pretty much settled into the type of work I do, I love a lot it. However there are many looong hours at times and I recognize the need for a burn out plan. That really was the mediation training which I haven't had much time to work with (but it doesn't expire after all).

Then I was getting together the stuff for my potluck and had a thought about doing dietician/nutrition work. Hmm, who knows if that will ever come up as an option. I did do the kitchen manager job at the last retreat and it was very smooth and natural for me, including the gluten free, no nightshades, vegetarian, etc. limits. A challenge for sure. And right now I read 5 recipes for crockpot dal and am going to just make it.

Of course there is training and school so it may never actually come to pass but it is a really good option of a next career.

Is it a good next career? What are the job prospects in this field?

I'm not sure that area isn't over saturated, and if you are going for the hard core credentials one needs a load of science. Just sayin.

[JaneV2.0]

Dietitian is a pretty questionable credential. They mostly just parrot the corporate line, depending on Big Food for training materials. I'd stick with mediation, personally.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I'm not sure that area isn't over saturated, and if you are going for the hard core credentials one needs a load of science. Just sayin.

I would never even imagine getting into such a field without getting some fairly hard core credentials, nutrition, biochemistry etc. (maybe not the most advanced credentials possible in an endless paper chase, but some serious work nontheless). And no I don't think if you have such a background, and ability to evaluate studies and data and understand the biochemistry etc. it is about parroting the corporate line at all. In fact one gets the background to BE ABLE to evaluate for oneself! Which is precisely what I would want to do if I had that job, which I have thought about, but not all that seriously. Of course I'm no parrot by nature, but don't have that heavy biology background currently.

[JaneV2.0]

http://www.foodpolitics.com/2013/01/new-study-big-foods-ties-to-registered-dietitians/

http://www.biznews.com/health/age-well/2015/05/30/why-is-big-food-in-bed-with-dietitians-follow-the-love-of-money/

It's a rare RD who has the fortitude to challenge this system, do their own research, and counsel patients. Jen Elliot in Australia is an example of what happens when you stand on principle.

[iris lilies]

I would never even imagine getting into such a field without getting some fairly hard core credentials, nutrition, biochemistry etc. (maybe not the most advanced credentials possible in an endless paper chase, but some serious work nontheless). And no I don't think if you have such a background, and ability to evaluate studies and data and understand the biochemistry etc. it is about parroting the corporate line at all. In fact one gets the background to BE ABLE to evaluate for oneself! Which is precisely what I would want to do if I had that job, which I have thought about, but not all that seriously. Of course I'm no parrot by nature, but don't have that heavy biology background currently.

agreed. It seems to me that having a degree in a field of Western medicine, and THEN pursuing alternative treatments and or Eastern ways and thoughts is a really good path.

Otherwise, it's just all mumbo jumbo and woo. In the age of the Internet, the woo is pretty popular.

[JaneV2.0]

I agree it's important to get a solid, unassailable foundation in the current science of your discipline to arm yourself for what will inevitably follow if you choose to challenge an increasingly intransigent establishment. I wouldn't have what it takes, myself.

[iris lilies]

Dietitian is a pretty questionable credential. They mostly just parrot the corporate line, depending on Big Food for training materials. I'd stick with mediation, personally.
Ha, funny, I just thought about dietitians this week. In my main iris garden which sits in a near-ghetto neighborhood, a piece of trash I picked up was a flyer from the
University of Missouri Extension office that had several recipes using contents out of cans. I thought "yuck" but this document, produced at taxpayer's expense, was attempting to address the reality of those in my 'hood.

i once took a class about cooking beans taught by another registered dietician, a class she also teaches at the food bank.

But turn up your nose at these experts if you like. You are paying them to "help" the poor and downtrodden, but it's fine with me if we cut out all of this tax supported crapola.

[Zoe Girl]

This is exactly why I have random thoughts here! I get the inside story on the work. I have a friend who is a dietitian and she works for a big company that provides meals to employees a lot. She doesn't really like working for the corporate mind set but she loves when she does a retreat menu for us. I was thinking about jobs like the extension ones but those are most likely not going to meet my financial needs.

I had no idea about some of these things in the career field, I wish I would have known half of this about getting a teaching degree honestly. I am finding that right now my job is so huge that any chance of building up mediation hours is slim. Also I need to learn more about divorce/family mediation because that is where the majority of the current volunteer jobs are at. I don't feel skilled in the worksheets for the money part, but comfortable with parenting time discussions. Mostly I can't imagine trying to schedule with 2 parties and another mediator and my schedule. sigh, and I am still low on experience to put myself out there independently.