During fourth period on Friday, Nov. 15, a mother and friend from our community, Jessica Magnu, visited BPHS to speak to students interested in majoring in Dietetics and Nutrition.
Jessica Magnu works at the University of Pittsburgh in the department of Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition. She works in the education department, teaching college students what they need to know about nutrition and dietetics.
On a daily basis, Mrs. Magnu goes to work each day hoping to work with education hands so the college students can get a better feel of what it’s like for a dietetic/nutritionist. With working in the education department, she mostly works with college students each day.
What she likes most is working with pediatrics though. She also has worked for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has worked with them from brain injuries and rehabilitation to school foods and nutrition education. She helped to provide continuing education about nutrition to pediatricians on weight management and obesity for children.
There are many different classes you have to take in the program of the dietetics curriculum. It requires the completion of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics approved 4-year college degree. It also requires a great performance on the National Registration Examination for Dietitians.
There are different areas in dietetics and nutrition. There are Clinical Dietetics, Community Dietetics, and Food Service Management. You can also work with the nutrition of sports players and teams. So there is an area of interest for everyone.
Mrs. Magnu said, “Try all aspects. Figure out your nutrition needs first. Care about you before anything so you can get an understanding about it.”
The major of Dietetics and Nutrition can be very interesting. You work with all different types and ages of people that can help your day to day routine interesting every day. You’ll love it no matter what area you’re in.