Personalize Your Plate (and Your Career) This National Nutrition Month
Each year in March, our incredible teams begin to celebrate National Nutrition Month and National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day (RDN) Day!
This year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics named National Nutrition Month’s theme as “Personalize Your Plate.” This is because there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and health and we are all unique with different bodies, goals, backgrounds, and tastes.
I absolutely love the idea behind this year’s theme because when you stop and think about it, your career as an RDN should be just as personalized as your plate. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to your career.
In honor of these celebrations, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of our Regional Nutrition Managers Jillian McLean, who shared her unique career path with me!
Here’s what Jillian had to say about choosing a career with Sodexo and how she’s been able to grow with the company to fit her goals:
What led you to your career at Sodexo?
JM: I've been a dietitian for almost nine years now. My first job was in a self-operated unit. In this role, I quickly learned that there was not much of a career ladder for me.
I became interested in working for a company like Sodexo because I knew I could make various career moves. My first job with Sodexo was as a Clinical Nutrition Manager, then I was promoted about a year and a half later to the role of General Manager, which I held for three years. The past two years I have been a Regional Nutrition Manager for the Healthcare segment and have now been with Sodexo for almost six years!
What does a typical day look like for you?
JM: With COVID-19, it looks different than normal because I can’t travel. I’m on calls all day working remotely. This involves working with our Clinical Dietitians or Clinical Nutrition Managers to support various projects and help them troubleshoot through situations that may arise. Right now, staffing analysis has been an important topic in our hospitals.
When I can travel, which I think that is one of my favorite parts of the job, I get to visit different accounts where I get to know each team in person and really focus my attention on that one hospital that I'm visiting. I can see firsthand what they're working on, what their goals are and how I can help support them.
What’s one of your favorite projects you’ve worked on at Sodexo?
JM: I was a co-leader for our food insecurity workgroup. We recently produced a guide that will be shared with our Clinical Nutrition teams. It’s brand new and focuses on how to handle food insecurity, especially during COVID-19.
Over the last several months we have had a lot of clients identify food insecurity as a priority. We had to ask ourselves how we can help our clients and the communities we serve. So, we put together a resource guide of solutions that our dietitians and food service teams can use with the client to address this topic.
What is your favorite part about working for Sodexo?
JM: I would say the growth opportunities! That was one of the things that led me to look for a job with Sodexo initially.
When I was in college and finishing up school as a hospital employee, I was at sites where Sodexo was the food service provider, so I was already familiar with the company. Looking back, it was great to see that even in my first job, I was at a site where Sodexo was involved. It always seemed like I was working with the company and it fell into place nicely for me.
What advice would you give a Registered Dietitian looking for a career at Sodexo?
JM: Be open to other job opportunities you may not have initially envisioned.I never thought I was going to be a General Manager but taking on that role for three years helped me gain the skills I needed to get to the career I knew I wanted - becoming a Regional Nutrition Manager.
Look at the different job opportunities and use those as steppingstones. That’s what I did, so my best advice is to be open to things you may not have considered and don’t be afraid to take them.
At Sodexo, RDs have so many opportunities available. We have sites in Healthcare, Corporate Services, Schools, Universities and Seniors. Even some of our recruiters are RDs, so there are many things we can do!
Putting work aside for a minute, what are some of your hobbies?
JM: During COVID-19, I picked up running. I was never a runner in my life but now I have been slowly working up to my goal of running a half marathon. Before, I couldn’t even run a mile. Now I can run about seven!
Also, I’ve been cooking. I know it’s funny because I’m a dietitian but before I was not necessarily interested in the cooking aspect. I just really enjoyed food. Working from home and not traveling so much this last year has really forced me into the kitchen a bit more. I’ve enjoyed learning, playing with different recipes, and trying to pick up new cooking skills.
Any final thoughts?
JM: I want to give a shoutout and recognize our dietitians that have stepped up over the last year. Most recently in Texas, many of our dietitians had to work through some very unprecedented weather. A handful of them had to stay overnight at the hospital during the snowstorm, while some of them had to find a way to get into work or work remotely. It was a strange week for Texas and luckily everyone recovered well!
Our dietitians are really on the frontlines and they’re still out there talking to patients and making them a priority while jugging COVID-19. Everything they have been doing has not gone unnoticed and we’re all very thankful for them.
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Jillian’s story shows us that there truly is no one-size-fits-all approach to your career. I encourage you to visit our website and read some of our other RDs incredible stories.
If you’re ready to personalize your career this National Nutrition Month, you can search our open Dietitian and Nutrition opportunities now!