At Nutrition Talent we strive to support fellow Nutrition Professionals across their careers. We recently were privileged to have Taryn join us for a week of work experience. This blog is important as it shares a key perspective, of looking out and forward, from the very beginning. We hope this is a source of support for those in Taryn’s position, whilst also a source of reflection for those that have moved beyond this stage in their nutrition careers. We are very grateful to Dr Emily Prpa, Science Manager at Yakult who Taryn interviewed to inform this blog.
My name is Taryn, and I am currently a 6th form student about to complete my final year of A-levels. I have come to the point in my education where I have had to start thinking about the life that is waiting for me outside of school, and it comes with many daunting considerations such as what are my potential career options and what path I will have to take to achieve whatever that may be. One thing I know for sure is that nutrition greatly captures my interest, and I would love to explore what this field could offer me and what I could offer to it. Having just come to the end of a work-experience week with Danielle, she has opened my eyes to the multiple aspects of nutrition in different ways, with one of the highlights of my week having been given the chance to have a conversation with the Science Manager of Yakult, Dr Emily Prpa. During this conversation I was able to voice some of my concerns about knowing if you are choosing the right career path, whilst also getting to ask her about how she got to where she is today and all the good and not-so-good along the way. Here are some of the fears I had before the conversation and the takeouts I came away with.
Fears
Before speaking to Emily, I was slightly nervous about speaking to a woman who has achieved so much so early on into her career. I thought she must have had everything figured out by the time she was at my stage in life for her to have moved on and upwards so quickly, now having become so successful in what she so clearly has a passion for. I also had concerns about the fact I do Geography, Math, and French A-Level (no direct science subjects), expecting her to tell me about how she did Biology and Chemistry and that I had no hope of getting into a nutrition-based university course with my subjects. I felt so relieved once actually speaking to her and realising that none of this was the case and hearing about how my position now compared to hers at my age isn’t so completely different.
Takeouts
- There are multiple paths you can take to obtain a career in nutrition, and it doesn’t have to be directly nutrition focused. Emily did sport and exercise science as an undergraduate course before completing her master’s degree in nutrition.
- University is more than just an education, it’s an experience with plenty of opportunities. Emily had the chance to work with Olympic athletes in a placement year in Sydney, Australia.
- You don’t need to be a dietitian to be taken seriously in the field of nutrition. Emily is now a Science Manager at Yakult with a PhD, all without having to become a dietitian.
- Take any opportunity given to you, whether it be small or big, it can set you up in good stead for future parts of your career.
- You are constantly learning in your career, you will never and can’t be expected to know everything. It keeps things exciting and new.
- Determination and persistence will take you a long way.
- There are many skills and values that you can learn, not directly nutrition focused, e.g., relationship-building, communication, leadership, independence, working under pressure etc.
- Being passionate about the career you choose is so important.
What great tips Taryn has composed, relevant to many of us regardless of the stage of our careers. We would like to thank Taryn for all her contributions on the week she was with us and wish her well in her final year of her A-levels. Please do take a look at our Resources page for further support and guidance on a career in Nutrition.