Why I chose Nutritional Science Major to study

Nutritional Science Major

I am proud of what I study. The main focus of my study is human nutrition. Academically it is called Nutritional Science. This includes biology, physiology, anatomy, biochemistry, psychology, counseling, business, speech, history, medical nutrition and management. As you can see, this is a very broad area. What the human nutrition does is examine the dynamics of human and relation with foods. There are as many diets as there are individuals.
The main reason why I chose this field is I want to contribute to a society and help people by using my best knowledge. I believe that “we are what we eat.” Especially, I am interested in the link between human emotions and food. My passion and highest goal are I want to inspire people’s happiness and peacefulness. As I become a health professional, I will be able to understand and provide a situation where people can attain their optimum mental and physical health. One aspect of attaining emotional physical wellness is regular well-balanced diet counseling.
The reason that I have an interest in the connection between human emotional well being and diets is that when I was age 17-21, I struggled with an eating disorder. This disease is not uncommon. This type of addiction and having a distorted low-self image affect negatively a normal eating pattern and one’s psyche. This disease is too complicated to treat simply. It is a battle between mind and body. I relate to the people who have similar issues. The healing process is not a quick fix. It is a very slow process. The first step for those who have symptoms of eating disorder is readiness of mind and shifting to be comfortable toward foods. The healing process varies from person to person. Unfortunately some people die from a prolonged a battle with eating disorders.
Eating is very personal. Each individual has a unique sensibility with foods. My memory of foods started at an early age. There were always foods in the house. My grandmother and my mother were always preparing dishes more than we could eat. Remembering my grandmother’s warm Japanese sweet red beans as a dessert, I always can associate these warm foods with a grandmother’s comfort. The love from the touch of being given peeled tangerines is unforgettable personal association with foods. For some people foods might bring bitter memories. The process of helping people is also going to be the personalized approach. I want to use my full knowledge and experience and critical thinking skills to heal people. I truly believe that foods that bring comfort and happiness are the best medicines for the souls.
The curriculum emphasizes science classes. Even though I did not like science classes in the beginning, I started to realize how important it is to understand deeply biochemical levels of human nutrition. It has started to make sense how and why the nutrients work in the human body. Based on that analysis, I will be able to provide optimum advice.
One of my classes in this quarter is Sports Nutrition. I am taking this class because it is interests me. Though almost my entire life I have been very physically active playing sports. I was on the Basketball team, had danced, have been exercising regularly. Even though this class is very challenging and hard and using many critical thinking skills, this is one of my favorite areas and might become my specialized focus.
After graduating with Nutritional Science major the students have three options 1) internship, 2) graduate school, or 3) to start working. A dietetic internship is very competitive, especially in California. Internships in other states are less competitive compared to in California. An internship needs a Bachelors Degree. Then during the internship, we need to pass the Registered Dietitian National Examination with having an accreditation from American Dietetic Association. Without a degree, an internship is not available. During the internship years, interns go to work in the hospital setting, food service, and community nutrition. Then each intern can go branch out where they want to be specialized. To be licensed gives more opportunities for what they want to pursue in the field. In order to work in a hospital and give a diet order with doctors to the patients, being a Registered Dietitian is a minimum requirement. The job opportunities are wide-ranging such as food related industries, non-profit organizations and private consultations.
One of my dreams is having my own consulting office and café type of business with diet counseling. Providing well-balanced and personalized menus along with helpful diet therapy is one of my main business ideas. I was a coffee shop owner near UCLA four years ago. Unfortunately I was not able to continue and sold the business. Even though I did not succeed in my first business, my experience of owning a business taught me a lesson. I learned hardships and joy of management. I know it will pay off in my future. I would like to have a business after the degree.
I will advise people who want to study Nutritional Science that they should develop a clear vision what they want to do. Since the Nutritional Science major covers so many fields, it may take time to find the specialized areas. But be patient. The idea will come to you along with the passion. The process of learning and developing of my career pathway is giving me fulfillment, and rewards. Over the course of learning I have been growing and will be maturing and will be able to contribute to a society.