Alumni Spotlight - Lauren Marucci

Why did you pursue a degree from Penn State Nutritional Sciences? 

I pursued a degree from Penn State in Nutritional Sciences because of the prestigious reputation of the university and the close-knit feeling I got from the department. Penn State is a large university, which I liked and wanted in many ways, but I appreciated the smaller, more family-like impression I had after visiting the College of Health and Human Development. It was like getting the best of both worlds!

How would you describe your current position and what impact(s) are you seeking to make? 

I am currently a tactical performance dietitian working on the Fort Liberty Army Base with an army special operations unit. In my position, I aim to educate special operators on food and nutrition, particularly when it comes to improving their performance for various missions. A large part of my job is helping individuals improve their body composition, eating habits, bloodwork, energy levels, and more through food. My overall hope as a dietitian is to make an impact on people by showing them that eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring and can make a significant difference in how they feel.

How did your degree from Penn State help you to get to your current position? 

My degree from Penn State helped me get my current position because of the skills and education I received in the classroom. The population I work with is intelligent and evidence-based, and my degree taught me how to read and evaluate research as well as disseminate that information effectively.

What would you describe as the biggest opportunity and the biggest challenge in the field? 

I would say my biggest opportunity is having the chance to be a credible and reliable source of nutrition information. There is so much misinformation out there and it can be overwhelming, so as a registered dietitian, I am a subject matter expert who can guide individuals in the right direction. On the flip side, my biggest challenge is people not fully understanding what I can do as a registered dietitian and that I am a subject matter expert in the area of nutrition.

What advice do you have for graduates just starting out? 

My biggest piece of advice is to keep an open mind when it comes to job opportunities. A lot of us dietitians can be on the Type A side and love to have a plan (myself included!) but the field of nutrition is growing so fast and there could be opportunities anywhere. I would also take advantage of any networking opportunities to grow your network! This includes other dietitians but also other colleagues in related fields. In the world of sport and performance, for example, it’s been so helpful to have strength coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists, and more in my network!