Meet Millie, a dietitian and “myth-buster” who has created herself a dream career by following a non-traditional path and bringing her passion for food and health together.
At NNT, we want to acknowledge the incredible contribution these people make to our communities, the challenges they face and the essential work they do, every single day.
Q. Tell us about your journey to work in Allied Health?
A. A career centred around food was inevitable for me. I grew up in a family of foodies with parents who have owned restaurants for over 40 years, it made sense really!
When I discovered I could make a living out of food (how good), I completed a Bachelor of Food and Nutrition science followed by a Masters of Dietetics. I started working in a hospital and consulting in a clinic when I first graduated but have now pursued a less traditional path. I currently own my own business called Dietitian Edition where I consult with and create content for some of the industry’s leading food brands and teach Nutrition Professionals how to pursue less conventional and more creative opportunities within the industry.
Q. What advice would you give someone pursuing a career as a Dietitian?
A. The nutrition industry is changing, and it’s doing so rapidly. Previously, Dietitians were renowned for their responsibility in hospital wards and clinic rooms. Sure, this is still true, but the future of dietetics is evolving and is becoming less conventional. Traditional style dietetics jobs are sparse and can be incredibly hard to come by, which is why I encourage anyone who is wanting to pursue a career in the nutrition industry to go against the grain and think ‘outside the box’ when it comes to prospective job opportunities. Network wisely and say yes to as many opportunities that will move you one step closer to your dream.
Q. What would you say is your career highlight?
A. Wow, this is tough. I quite literally feel like every day is a highlight for me because I’m working my dream job. Narrowing it down though, I’d have to say it was launching my first ever product within my business which was a 90-minute masterclass on helping nutrition professionals ‘break new ground’ in the industry and create the career of their dreams. The masterclass exceeded my expectations and fuelled my desire to mentor students and established professionals in the industry who dare to be different.
Q. How do you find balance in life?
A. I love my work, but I value my life outside of work just as much. With that in mind, I always make sure I schedule time for the activities that fill my cup. I also try my best to structure my days as If I were working for someone else. This helps me to be productive and efficient with daily tasks and allows me to finish work at a reasonable time in the day.
Q. What challenges do you face and how do you overcome them?
A. In the nutrition space, there is a lot of misinformation circulating that is usually projected from unqualified people - especially in the online world. It can be challenging as a Dietitian to constantly bust these myths and influence behaviour change of individuals when they have so many preconceived (and sometimes dangerous) ideas about what and why to eat. Media can be great, but when it comes to nutrition advice it is often quite damaging. Sometimes I feel like I spend more time ‘busting’ misinformation than actually giving accurate personalised advice. I always make sure to educate my community on the importance of gaining nutrition advice from qualified individuals and critically analysing the information they are exposed to.
Q. What do you think your superpower is?
A. Having a creative flare in a heavily science-based industry and communicating complex nutrition topics in a fun, relatable and achievable way.