March is National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to promote the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and physical activity habits. This year's theme encourages individuals to explore the wide world of food and discover how proper nutrition can fuel a healthier life.
National Nutrition Month provides an opportunity to recognize the vital role registered dietitians, nutritionists, and nutrition educators play in helping individuals and communities achieve their health and wellness goals.
Faculty and staff members from the Falk College of Sport’s Department of Nutrition and Food Studies shared their experiences working in the nutrition field and why they decided to pursue careers in nutrition education.
Nicole Beckwith, Director of Master of Arts in Nutrition Science
“I was fortunate to discover the field of dietetics while in high school. I thought I wanted to be a chef, but I didn’t want the long, hard hours. I enjoyed working in the hospital, but I didn’t like needles. Studying nutrition allowed me to combine my love of science, food, and helping people.
“While working as a clinical nutrition manager for 13 years, my favorite part of my job was being a preceptor for Syracuse University’s Dietetic Internship program. This duty was not listed on my job description, as my Human Resources Director often pointed out. When the program director announced her retirement, my world stopped around me. It was my dream to join the department and work alongside my former professors and become an integral part of the evolution of dietetics education.
“The opportunity to have a lifechanging impact on developing dietitians is endlessly rewarding. I never take for granted the trust they place in our program and always look forward to hearing the success stories of our graduates.”
Jane Burrell, Teaching Professor
“I chose to pursue a nutrition degree because I found it interesting and impactful in so many people’s lives. I grew up with a mom who was a great cook and a dad who was always dieting and failing. I wanted to find a way for people to enjoy eating and adopt healthy lifestyles that were not restrictive.
“I love being a registered dietitian/nutritionist (RDN) because there are many career paths. Once you have your RDN practice credential, you have many different options based on new interests or life changes.”
Sudha Raj, Ph.D, Teaching Professor and Graduate Director
“For me, my 50-year journey in nutrition and dietetics began with my undergraduate study of nutrition and dietetics in India. The inspiration and opportunity to study foods and nutrition came from casual conversations with family and friends engaged at the time in food research, and from my mother who instilled in me very early the importance of pursuing a field of study that would be of practical value in my life. This, coupled with the fascination that something simple like food that we take for granted at every meal could be a subject of scientific investigation led me to delve into this fascinating professional and passionate journey of the study of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics. To this day, nutrition science remains my passion.
“Over the last 50 years I have had the privilege of serving my scientific, local, university, and cultural communities through my profession. I hope to continue paving the way for the next generation of leaders in nutrition and dietetics.”