Career Compass: Human Nutritional Sciences

As a human nutritional science student in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, you will learn about how nutrition applies to different human needs and lifestyles, the importance of nutrition to community health and the role nutrition plays in preventing and managing disease. The human nutritional sciences program has many opportunities for you to explore, with four program options:

1. Nutrition: focuses on the role of nutrition in health promotion and disease prevention. Option to select dietetics preparation to meet accreditation to apply for dietetic practicums to become a Registered Dietitian.
2. Foods: focuses on the development of food products that promote health and increase the competitiveness of the food production, processing and marketing.
3. Food Industry: integrates health and nutrition perspectives into the operation of food industries through application of knowledge in food development, food quality, food safety, nutrition and management.
4. Pre-Professional: The human nutritional sciences program can be structured to meet the entrance requirements of various professional programs.

Skills you will gain by studying HUMAN NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES

• An understanding of the role of nutrition and the broader food systems in health promotion and disease prevention for individuals, families and communities across the life span.
• The ability to integrate health and nutrition perspectives into the operation of food industries through application of knowledge.
• The ability to collect, analyze and interpret data using statistical analysis.
• The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
AGRI 1600, HNSC 1200, HNSC 1210, CHEM 1100, CHEM 1110 or CHEM 1130, BIOL 1410 (or BIOL 1020 and BIOL 1030), BIOL 1412, PSYC 1200 or SOC 1000, and electives depending on selections.

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Science to help you plan your program.
2. If you need academic support, visit the Academic Learning Centre for workshops or to meet with a learning skills instructor.

CAREER TIPS

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills. Gather career information and resources from the faculty job placement coordinator.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Set up a UM Connect account to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Explore your Experience Record, an official record of university-approved activities.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Student groups including Nutrition Education and Community Outreach (NECO), Faculty of Agriculture Students' Association (FASO), and Dairy Club.
2. Volunteer for UM Orientation events to help welcome new students to campus while gaining experience.
3. Student work opportunities including Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program.
4. Experiential education opportunities such as UM Community Volunteers and the Student Leadership Development Program.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Considering international opportunities? Visit the International Centre website to learn about international opportunities for UM students or ask your advisor about international exchange opportunities in Australia and France for human nutritional science students.

Explore communities and cultures you want to work with: visit the Richardson Centre for Technology and Research, the Farm and Food Discovery Centre or learn about local agencies via 211 Manitoba.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
HNSC 2000, HNSC 2130, HNSC 2140, HNSC 2150, HNSC 2160, AGRI 2400, STAT 2000 (or STAT 2000 requires STAT 1000 as free elective), CHEM 2730, CHEM 2740, CHEM 2750

Nutrition or Foods: HEAL 2600

Dietetic Prep or Food Industry option: GMGT 1010 or ABIZ 1000

To do this year:

1. Attend an information session about applying to dietetic practicums
2. Consider taking a minor and choose courses that will open opportunities.
3. Use UM Achieve to prepare for and plan for registration. 
4. Consider applying to the co-op option.

CAREER TIPS

Make professional connections:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs and the annual Meet the Dietitian event in March to connect with employers.
3. Check out the Agricultural and Food Sciences' online seminar series and participate in Nutrition Month.
4. Become a student member with the Dietitians of Canada.
5. Develop professional connections with professors by applying for an Undergraduate Research Award.

Market your skills: Develop your resumé and cover letter and refine your interview skills.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for a research assistant position, Undergraduate Research Award or NSERC grant.

Gain practical experience by volunteering: Check out CanU, Canadian Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Osteoporosis Society and WISH Clinic.

Obtain certificates employers may require, including: Certified Food Handler, Smart Choices Responsible Service Certification, Good Manufacturing Practice, WHMIS and First Aid/CPR.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Consider an international student exchange or Summer School Agroecology in France, Students Without Borders internship, International Rural Exchange program, Community Engaged Learning, My World Abroad or SWAP for a "working holiday".

Staying local? Check out out a spring or summer Community Engaged Learning experience or consider learning a new language and culture through the Language Partner Volunteer Program.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
FOOD 4150, HEAL 3000, plus all required courses in your stream (Nutrition, Dietetics Prep, Foods or Food Industry Option)

To do this year:  

1. Apply for the Food Industry Practicums. 
2. Start building your resume/cover letter for applying to dietetic practicums.
3. Consider a professional program. Refer to the Admissions Office’s Applicant Information Bulletins and meet with an academic advisor to help you plan your pre-professional program.

CAREER TIPS

Investigate your career options:

1. Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.
2. Develop employability and essential skills sought by employers.
3. Explore supports available to entrepreneurs for business planning such as Food and Beverage Manitoba, Yes! Winnipeg, the Stu Clarke Centre for Entrepreneurship, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Government.
4. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.

Consider continuing your studies: check out the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Extended Education or other professional programs.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Continue or start research: Participate in the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition and consider taking HNSC 4120 (Senior Thesis) or HNSC 4122 (Research Project) in year 4.

Check out student job opportunities with: Mini U, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, personal care homes and food service industries.

Search for job opportunities online: Check out AgCareers.com, Job Bank, Indeed or other search engines.

Use your networks and connections: Inquire about unadvertised job openings (the "hidden job market").

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Did you travel abroad? Become an exchange mentor for the International Student Mentorship Program, join the exchange student community at the University of Manitoba or write an article about your experience.

Participate in the multicultural opportunities on campus: Participate in the Intercultural Development and Leadership Program or take part in the Graduation Pow Wow.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
HNSC 4100, plus all required courses in your stream (Nutrition, Dietetics Prep, Foods or Food Industry Option)

To do this year:

1. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora.
2. Apply for the Post-Degree Dietetics Practicum Program, if applicable.

CAREER TIPS

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation. Additional career information and resources are available from the faculty job placement coordinator.

If you are continuing on to a professional program or graduate school: Finalize your application materials and required tests. Use the awards database to search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you're applying for graduate school.

Find opportunities to market yourself: Become a Dietitians of Canada Student Representative.

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships such as the Dietetics Practicum Programs, Nutrition or Food Industry Practicum courses.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Prepare to work in a multicultural environment: Visit Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Get access to LinkedIn Learning through the Winnipeg Public Library and take courses to develop your cross-cultural intelligence.

Sample jobs with an undergraduate degree and related experience

Nutrition Option

• Agricultural Officer
• Catering Manager
• Community Food Facilitator
• Health Educator
• Health Policy Analyst*
• Home Economics Teacher*
• Lifestyle Coach
• Medical Doctor*
• Naturopath*
• Newcomer Nutrition Coordinator
• Nutrition/Dietary Aide
• Nutritionist
• Nutrition Services Manager
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
• Registered Dietitian*
• Sports Nutritionist

Foods/Food Industry Option

• Food Development Consultant
• Food Production Supervisor
• Food Safety Coordinator
• Food Security Officer
• Food Scientist*
• Food Service Manager
• Market Research Analyst 
• Public Health Inspector
• Product Recipe Developer
• Quality Assurance Specialist

*Options requiring other education or training

Industries such as biotechnology, business, education, government, health and food manufacturing would value a human nutritional sciences degree in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Oral and written communication
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Numeracy and data use
• Digital technology
• Industry specific knowledge
• Continuous learning

Attain skills through your classroom education and take advantage of experiential education opportunities.

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.

Details of that report can be found here.