This is a letter to the dietetic technicians and dietitians who have recently received registration in order to practice nutrition counseling.
This year, you may have graduated from a bachelor’s or master’s level program. You may have completed your year-long dietetic internship. You’ve just passed your dietetic exams either to become a dietetic technician or dietitian. You’ve received a congratulatory letter in the mail, stating that you are officially a part of the club. Give yourself a pat on the back, you made it!
Now, you’re in search of work and it’s been a real drag. It’s been difficult to find appropriate jobs where you can be recognized for your hard work and use your new professional skills. Who wouldn’t want to hire a DTR/RD??? But unfortunately, the Universe does not always send us the gifts we wish to receive in the times when we want them. You start to doubt yourself. Are you even good enough to be in this field? Can you actually make a living out of this? Should you switch to a different career instead?
I’m sorry you are experiencing this level of self-doubt right now. The worse part about self-doubt is that its lack of compassion enables us to achieve our goals. The more we regret our decisions, the less of an effort we make to keep moving forward.
Before you fall into a pit of depression and a tornado of anxiety (although you’re probably already at this point), read these next five points. They may restore a bit of ease to your soul.
Develop Compassion For Your Current Self
It’s normal that you are disappointed with yourself for what you have not accomplished with your new degree or new credential. However, imagine if you met another person who was in the same situation, what would you say to them? “You’re a coward! You don’t even deserve this degree/credential. Who do you think you are?” I hope you’re not that type of person. I hope you are the type of person who is kind-hearted and patient. If you are capable of being compassionate towards a stranger, give yourself the same level of respect and understanding. You are on your way, even when the process is slow.
You Are Not Done Learning
Once you step out into the brutal world of work, please do not aspire to be the Dumbledore of food and nutrition. You won’t be and that’s okay. As a newly-registered professional, keep your mind open and let it absorb all the information it can. Interested in food science? Experiment in your kitchen. Wondering if you could specialize in eating disorders? Grab coffee with a ED specialist. Sick of talking about weight loss (like me)? Learn more about the intuitive eating approach and Health At Every Size movement.
Remember That You More Than a Degree or a Credential
Try not to forget that you are more than a piece of professional paper. You are a special, multi-layered human who has more to offer the world than just nutritional advice. Tap into the different parts of yourself and find something that’s fun to do. Play an instrument from your childhood, read a new genre of literature, save up money to travel to an underrated city or country, take up knitting and drink tea. Age, money, gender, and experience should not stop you from rediscovering who you are. Keep peeling the layers back, there’s plenty to discover.
You’re Not a Failure If You Ask For Help.
There’s this silly idea that as we grow older, we should have all of the answers to our problems. You will never have all the answers. The best way to receive the answers you need is to open your arms up to the Universe and invite them in. They’re waiting to download into your program but they cannot if you are not able to accept that you need help. You can talk to friends, family members, professors, and a career counselor or therapist. There’s nothing to be ashamed of here. Acknowledging that we are lost is the first step to finding the right path.
Speak Openly About Your Situation Without Sharing All of The Details.
People love asking each other about three things: dating, work, and politics. These are personal aspects of yourself and it may be uncomfortable to wholeheartedly share how you feel about them. Feel free to share as much or as little as you wish. You can say something similar to, “I’m in the process of looking for a job in dietetics. It’s been a little tough however I’m optimistic/doing my best.” That’s all. If people want more information, they can read your autobiography when it comes out in ten years.
Finally, there are highs and lows for every professional’s career journey. If you wanted an easy career, you wouldn’t have been in the effort that you did to get here. Embrace your current point in time because it won’t last forever. As I said before, things are moving even when they are slow. Trust the process and trust yourself. You’re already good enough right now.
Afro & Appetite 