Poll: Is a career change as a Dietitian a reasonable goal a

To me your age wouldn't matter, as long as your credentials and reputation were awesome and you were able to help me set an attainable path towards my goals

I say go for it! It's never to late to try out something new

I would go to a 40-year-old if you were healthy enough! But it's really up to you, it's your life!

I have a degree in Nutrition, and I can tell you I was a "traditional" student at the time. I was 21-22 when I was in my classes. However, we had a lot of non-traditional students as well, many people making a career change. I didn't go on to become a registered dietician because that wasn't my career goal (I actually work in food manufacturing, and love it), but I would see no reason that a 40 year old would be looked at as not having as much credability.

The only thing I think you need to consider is how it might make you feel to be in a classroom and doing an internship (9 months, unpaid) with a bunch of 20-something year old women (most people in this field are female).

I have problems listening to kids younger than me telling me what to do, so I'd much rather take the advice of an older, healthy person.

I don't let age get to me, if I did I'd not go to the Dr I do who is only a couple years older than me! (early 30's)
I know some carpenters who are set to retire that don't know as much as some of the younger guys doing real finishing work. You have to enjoy whatever it is you're doing though. I went to school, got my papers, and have never "officially" worked in my trained field! Just have the student loans to deal with from it, if i'd gone to trade school instead I'd have been earning money and had the income in so I'd have had at least as much in actual savings as what I had for student loan debt.

Then again the "trainer" at the gym I went to who had me go from essentially inactive to doing 150 squats, I seriously couldn't walk for a week afterwards, young and there's only one way to do things in his mind, rather than adapting his routines to what the person can actually do.

A couple of years ago I went to a personal trainer and loved it. I still use most of the techniques she taught me.

The gym had about 12 personal trainers on staff. I picked her because in her profile she says she was a chubby child who grew in an obese adult (over 200pounds most of her adult life, and over 250 when she had her first child). Oh and she was late 30s. She's now a size 6, and looks gorgeous.

I picked her because she's had life experiences and struggled with the same things I was struggling with. I felt she'd be able to assess my fitness level and provide me with a program that was challenging but not intimidating. So even though she wasn't the youngest or the fitest in the group, she was definitely a favourite amoung members because she understood.

At my new gym I tried a personal trainer once (they only have one on staff). She's super thin and has been her whole life. She's never struggled with obesity, and despite being in the biz for about 15 years, clearly doesn't understand how an obese body works differently. The stuff she gave me to do wasn't just a challenge - it was impossible to do. I couldn't get my body into some of the poses (too many extra parts). I couldn't run as long as she wanted, I couldn't do hardly anything that she wanted me to. And I was sincerely trying. so it made it impossible to get in a decent workout. Also, I left feeling a bit worse about myself instead of better. So I quite going to her.

I guess what I'm saying in a very long winded way is that - your age and life experiences are a benefit not a liablity. If this is what you want to do then I say go for it! The world needs more people like you helping those of us who aren't there yet.

I don't think it is an unreasonable goal at all. After almost 20 years of doing Chemical Engineering, I'm starting to figure out what I want to do with my life! :-) I need a change of pace!

I love the supportive answers! I am a Registered Dietitian, and can clear up a few things. First, since you have a bachelor's degree, you would not need to return for a BS in nutrition. You would be best served to obtain a Master's degree in Nutrition. Then, you will need to obtain acceptance into dietetic internships, which are *fiercely* competitive. And expensive. There are RD jobs available, but among all healthcare jobs, RD positions are some of the least common. In other words, there is a lot of competition for each RD position.

In the end, do this work because of your passion. If you do it for the money or accolades, you will be disappointed. Best wishes in your endeavors!