I am having trouble finding a science-light Public Health graduate program with an emphasis on nutrition/food policy. Is this because one must be biology and chemistry savvy to pursue a career in public health? I hope not. What I am most interested in is community nutrition education perhaps I am looking into the wrong type of program.
Currently, I am working at a multi-service non-profit in D.C. One of the projects I work on is called Fit for Fun. We lead walking groups, offer diabetes and health counseling and my favorite part, cooking classes. The question is, how to parlay this work into a career. All ideas/thoughts/comments would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you for your help,
Margit
sciene-lite
Hi Margit, I graduated from UCLA's School of Public Health and now coordinate one nutrition program at a high school for Children's Hospital Los Angeles and independently work on another at a second school. The PH program itself wasn't nutrition heavy. They have their tract for dieticians, but I studied through the Community Health Sciences division and took nutrition-related classes whenever they were offered. They didn't teach about nutrition per se, but focused on the public health aspects such as environmental influences and policy change. My nutrition knowledge I have been accumulating through reading and studying on my own. What I don't know I consult others on or hire someone else to do.
PH prepared me to build a solid program to address communtiy development through PH. I learned theoretical models, how to conduct and analyze assessments, and how to develop, fund and evaluate a program. I also gained familiarity with research articles so that whatever subject I am addressing I can find examples of programs, and read about what has worked and not worked. I apply all that to nutrition.
All this is to say that it sounds like you are where I was 4 years ago and Public Health gave me tools to successful where I am now. I could go on forever, but I don't want to bore you. Don't worry about the science side. If you want training in nutrition you can find it from a health education perspective. I've found that the students I work with have NO information, so in my opinion a youth-friendly health educator with basic knowledge is more helpful for them than a dietician. Good luck!