help me on my way to my career as a nutritionist

**ben 21** · 06-01-2012 12:31 AM

hi there,

my goal is to become a nutritionist, i dont have many formal qualifications. im a semi proffesinal mechanic lol but thats useless here, im working towards maths gcse but im wondering what my options are at entering at a foundation level and working my way up. its something that i realy want to do. not so much sports nutrition but more down the medical route, working with diabetics and pepole with nutritinal deficentcies and illness and so on. im also thinking of studying medicene a bit later on. i want a good hardworking futre and i want to provide my girlfriend (and god willing wife to be) a good life. i,ll appreciate any help you can offer. oh and im unemployed so very sticky situation at the moment.

**HBK** · 06-01-2012 11:00 AM

You've got a lot of work ahead of you, I hope you're prepared for it. (Best of luck to you all the same)

I would imagine, though others will steer you closer to the shore, that you'll first need a bundle of A levels to get entry into university. You can take A levels as a night course if it helps, and a friend of mine got funding for his, he just had to pay for the exam. So first, find the university course you desire and find out what they want from you, then apply at college for this. After you've passed (make sure you pass), apply at uni.

There are a lot of career advisers that can give you clearer advice. If Connexxions (I don't know how to spell it) are still open you should contact them, or any similar organisations in your city. Best place to go though might be the college itself, that's where I went and, in between the guy checking online for up-to-date cricket scores, I was given sound advice.

edit: If you know somebody in the field you want to work in then even better, ask them what they did.

**MJ.23** · 06-01-2012 11:14 AM

Quote

Originally Posted by ben 21

hi there,

my goal is to become a nutritionist, i dont have many formal qualifications. im a semi proffesinal mechanic lol but thats useless here, im working towards maths gcse but im wondering what my options are at entering at a foundation level and working my way up. its something that i realy want to do. not so much sports nutrition but more down the medical route, working with diabetics and pepole with nutritinal deficentcies and illness and so on. im also thinking of studying medicene a bit later on. i want a good hardworking futre and i want to provide my girlfriend (and god willing wife to be) a good life. i,ll appreciate any help you can offer. oh and im unemployed so very sticky situation at the moment.

Best of luck with your goals pal. I can not offer much advice; but if you ever need help with maths then I will be glad to help

**dope540** · 06-01-2012 11:44 AM

hard slog, but it'll be worth it in the end. in addition to the above posts, pass with a high score. it does help.

for medicine, you'll need AAA for most uni's. my mates dad who teaches medicine at a top uni said to me that the reason the entry grades are high cos everyone wants to do it. usually for the money/ status. if you really want to do medicine and grades aren't quite there, could always apply as a overseas student. good chance of getting in as you'll be paying a shed loads more in fees.

for sports nutrition, best bet would be to check out sports uni's- loughborough, brunel, etc.

**profi** · 06-01-2012 01:50 PM

Be prepared to be called quack, scammer and other not too nice comments from doctors and other "skeptics"? Sure you have the stomach for that? Think twice! Don't say I didn't warn you.

**ben 21** · 06-01-2012 02:17 PM

thankyou very much guys i appreciate the support and help

@mj 23 yes i would welcome some help with the maths espshilly algerbra lol

**ben 21** · 06-01-2012 02:19 PM

Quote

Originally Posted by profi

Be prepared to be called quack, scammer and other not too nice comments from doctors and other "skeptics"? Sure you have the stomach for that? Think twice! Don't say I didn't warn you.

my job would be to help prevent pepole going to the doctor in the first place, dont worry profi it takes alot to upset me

**dope540** · 06-01-2012 02:22 PM

having recently flat shared with a few med school gradauates (FY1 and FY2), there is a lot of work even when graduating. stuff like rotation between different departements every 3-4 months, change of hospital every year, nights, weekends, other shift work, etc.

this goes on until you cant climb the ladder anymore. whether you've become a consultant, associate specialist or haven't done enough trianing/work and not wanted by hospitals.

**hailtotheking** · 06-01-2012 03:06 PM

If you want to work with patients / clients to improve their diet then you actually want to be a dietician.

If you want to look at digestion, metabolism and biochemistry of food you want to be a nutritionist.

Up until about 10 years ago, the term 'nutritionist' was a quack term that could be used by holistic practitioners with no decent qualifications. Now the NHS has given it specific recognition and to be an NHS nutritionist requires a very high level academic skill set.