I have some exciting (but bittersweet) news to share with you!
I got a new job and started this week!
I say this is bittersweet because I really enjoyed my old hospital. It was the place where my career in clinical dietetics began, even back to the first day of my dietetic internship!
This was also the hospital where I took the leap from school nutrition to clinical. Everyone there was welcoming to me from day 1, the doctors were really nice and I worked with an amazing coworker. From a personal standpoint, the entire experience was sentimental because I moved to that small town when I was getting divorced and going through a really hard time, and I feel like that experience was very cathartic and helped me move forward with life.
This job taught me how important it is to find a career that is a good fit for you. My clinical job was the first time that I had ever experienced really looking forward to going to work, feeling like I was making a difference in someoneโs life and leaving a job at the end of the day feeling like I had done really well. What a difference that can make in your life.
I am sad to be closing the door on this chapter in my career but there is an exciting part to this:
My new job is actually where I have always wanted to work and itโs what motivated me to become a dietitian in the first place. I feel incredibly lucky to have been offered the position. I also wonโt have to work weekends or holidays, which I feel like will greatly improve my happiness and quality of life.
Do You. Follow Your Dreams. Be Happy.
I remember my very first job out of college working as a school nutritionist. Letโs just say that was not my favorite job ever. I vividly remember the period of time when I decided I 100% wanted to become a registered dietitian. I researched everything I would need to do to go back to school to complete my Didactic Program in Dietetics to be eligible to apply for dietetic internships. I mapped out my classes for the next 2 years, but one of them would require me to leave work 2 hours early one day per week.
I gathered all of my plans and sat down with my boss to see if this would be okay with him. He said he would think it over. I think he did for about a millisecond. He denied my request and basically told me that it was pointless to go back to school to become an RD.
I quit that job a few months later and never looked back. I spent the next 2.5 years taking classes, was accepted to my 1st choice dietetic internship, completed my rotations and passed my RD exam. The journey was long but I am now SO much happier in my career. Oh, and Iโm also making 59% more than when I was working at my first job, so maybe it wasnโt so โpointlessโ to become an RD after all.
If there is one thing I have learned in life so far, itโs that you are the only author to the story of your life. If you donโt like something then change it. Itโs never too late. It will be worth it, I promise!!
Wish me luck on my new job!
Congratulations on the new job. It can be hard to leave things behind but you’re on the right path.
Thanks, Jen :)
Congratulations on your new job Sam, I know you’ll do great! By the way.., we loved you when you were our school nutritionist, you were the best!!!!
Aw, thanks so much Anna :) Hope you’re enjoying retirement!
Wishing you luck! Love hearing that you’ve found your calling!
Thank you so much!
Congrats! Can’t wait to hear more about your new job :)
Thanks, Jess!
CONGRATS on the new job!!!
Ugh, I’m so mad at your old boss for telling you that going back to school to become an RD was pointless. Maybe he couldn’t see a point to it, but obviously there was a point since YOU wanted to do it. Now you probably make more money and are happier in your job than he is so there’s that!
My jobless, loser of a step-brother who is about 20 years older than me once got drunk and told my mom that I was never going to amount to anything (this was back when I was 15). Whenever I have to deal with him Adam reminds me that the best revenge is just living a good life and being happy!
Cheers to us! :D
I know, he was really a jerk in so many ways. I’ve learned that a supportive supervisor will keep good employees! Your step-brother sounds like a peach ;) CHEERS!
YAY CONGRATS!!! I love that — you are the only author of the story of your life. SO true and an awesome perspective. xoxo
It really is so true. I think we all have obstacles but it’s up to us to decide if those will determine out happiness.
Sam, I just wanted to say that you are such an inspiration ! You just seem so positive and balanced ! I enjoy reading your posts.
I am currently going to school to become a RDN as well, I am so excited! I love food, and I love what it does for our bodies ! I work at a hospital right now as a C.N.A because I thought I wanted to be a nurse. But it just wasn’t my calling. I am 20 years old, and am confused a little, I am not sure if I should leave being a certified nursing assistant ( don’t really like my job), and become a certified personal trainer, or where I should look for a new job ( related to nutrition) where did you work when you were in college?
I didn’t really have a nutrition-related job in college. I did retail and also worked as a lifeguard. Good luck!
Oh wow, thank you so much for sharing ! ?