Career Opportunities

Armed with an advanced degree in Nutritional Science (NUTR), you will leverage your Penn State education and a vast network of like-minded professionals to find a fulfilling career that incorporates the physiological and biochemical aspects of nutritional practices in the context of health and wellness.

There is a seemingly endless array of positions in healthcare settings, academia, research, management and/or policymaking in which your skills and knowledge will be put to great use, including:

Food Industry/Services: Upon completing an advanced NUTR degree, you’ll be well suited for an upper-level position in product development, marketing, labeling and regulations, consumer affairs, public relations, or consulting with chefs in restaurants and culinary schools.

Medical Field: You will have the opportunity to gain a firm foundation in nutrition, human health, chemistry, and biology — an excellent fit if you are interested in medical school or a career as a physical or occupational therapist, or working as a physician’s assistant in a hospital or other healthcare facility.

Public Health or Health Education: Help the public maintain a healthy lifestyle through nutrition by working in a public school helping develop and implement a nutrition program, impact public health policy decisions, promote health and wellness at the corporate level, or educate the community about the connection between food, fitness, and health.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist: As a registered dietitian or nutritionist, you may work in healthcare, business and industry, community/public health, education, research, government agencies, and private practice. You may counsel patients about their specific nutritional needs, recommend or prescribe medical nutrition therapy, and collaborate with other professionals to improve the health of patients.

Research Careers: Graduates also work in research, helping organizations, universities, and industry answer critical nutrition questions. You might develop and promote nutritional foods, enhance the understanding of the biochemical basis of disease, or improve the way nutrition messages are presented to the public.

Career Services

It is never too early in your academic experience to explore all of the career services available to you, and Penn State Career Services is an excellent place to start. You can meet with a drop-in counselor any time between 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. weekdays in the Bank of America Career Services Center to discuss your concerns or to schedule an appointment with a career counselor.

For Students: Recruiting Calendar — Take advantage of a variety of recruiting events offered right here on campus.

For Recruiters: Our Students — Learn how to hire Penn State graduates for a wide variety of positions.