Employability and employment outcomes of nutrition science graduates: A qualitative exploration

Abstract

This study aimed to explore experiences of employability and employment for graduates of a three-year nutrition science degree. Methods: Qualitative narrative interviews were conducted with a maximum variation sample of 22 nutrition science graduates from one large university in Australia. All graduates (n = 126) from the initiation of the degree in 2015 to current 2021 graduates were eligible for inclusion if they had not gone on to study dietetics. The interviews elicited their stories and experiences of employability and journeys to employment post-graduation. Interviews were analysed using the framework method. Results: Analysis of the graduate interviews identified four themes: (1) from graduation to employment; (2) there are challenges to obtaining employment;(3) curriculum can enable employability; and (4) employability resources can support career prospects. In this group, the nutrition science degree on its own was not deemed sufficient to land employment in a desired nutrition-related field. The process of obtaining employment was supported by work experience, social networks, interpersonal skills, and a willingness to relocate. Conclusion: Building employability skills in the curriculum through the development of professional social networks and a professional identity may be important in improving the employability of nutrition science graduates.

Nutrition employability and graduate readiness: The Australian Working in Nutrition study

“…For example, diet–disease relationships, public health, food policy and regulation, food safety, evidence‐based research skills, synthesising and communication scientific information were all listed as critical to performing their professional role. These responses overlap with findings from Barber et al 11 that research skills, food regulation and composition and public health within curriculum are critical for graduate employability in food/nutrition or health settings.…”

“…Even though placement is not standard in nutrition science degrees, tertiary providers should be encouraged to explore meaningful ways to incorporate career development into their programmes, such as internships, industry projects, placement, field trips or other examples of WIL, 23 using lessons from others 24 . Strategically developing WIL throughout a degree would enrich the educational experience, help to build awareness of the types of roles available and give students early exposure to the workforce to influence job seeking 11 . WIL also provides opportunities for universities to connect with industry and the future workforce to advocate for the scope of practice for nutrition scientists.…”

Is individual competency enough? Challenges for the dietetics profession to be leaders in nutrition

“…Working with others may also include nutrition scientists without dietetics qualifications. Barber et al 18 describe the employment of nutrition science graduates. There is recognition that for new graduates, having broad professional networks will benefit their employment prospects, but as dietitians we should recognise it will also benefit us to work with others in similar fields, albeit with different experiences.…”

An investigation of Irish nutrition graduates’ employability capital

“…Dietetics research in the last decade has explored graduate outcomes and employability to better shape curricula and enhance student success (2) . A recent Australian study exploring employment journeys of graduates from a single nutrition science programme identified curricula adaptations and career resources that could improve career prospects for future graduates (3) . In Ireland, little is known about graduate employment outcomes and workforce readiness.The aim was to explore Irish nutrition graduates' employability and role of employability capitals in supporting nutrition science graduate outcomes.In-depth semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were conducted with 42 nutrition graduates who had completed a nutrition science degree between 2016-2021.…”