Dietetic Career Spotlight on Laura Silver, New Private Practice as Side Hustle
Meet Laura Silver, MS, RD, CDN, who is taking the jump into full-time private practice and leaving her job at the VA in the Bronx. Read on to learn how she has put her fear aside and is going forward full-force to make her career dreams come true. - Sarah
What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics?
From an early age, I struggled with an unhealthy relationship with food and my body image, and these issues intensified through high school and early college – around the same time students are making plans for their majors and future careers. As a teen obsessed with learning to lose weight, studying nutrition full-time was an exciting prospect. I was also fascinated by physiology and nutrition science, so the path seemed like a perfect fit.
While my origin story didn’t begin altruistically – through years of therapy, support, and nutrition education – I’ve become proudly comfortable in my own skin and happy with my relationship to food. My struggles opened my eyes to realize how many dieters unknowingly fall into similar patterns of disordered eating as I did. Now, as a registered dietitian, I’m passionate about taking a non-diet approach to help people develop a healthier relationship with their food, minds, and bodies.
Your Job Title?
Clinical Dietitian and Founder of Laura Silver Nutrition
Company you are with now?
I’m currently juggling three jobs, splitting my time between the Bronx VA Hospital, Boro Park Nutrition, and my own private practice, Laura Silver Nutrition. In just a few short weeks though, I will be leaving my full-time job at the Bronx VA Hospital to fully pursue my own practice!
Website:
Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?
At the Bronx VA Hospital, I provide one-on-one counseling to veterans in the weight loss and bariatric surgery clinic. I’ll see up to six patients each day for 30 to 60-minute appointments, and I teach a 90-minute group class once weekly.
Then, my work day typically continues into the evening afterI get back to my apartment in Brooklyn. Depending on the day, I’ll either counsel one to two private clients (either virtually or in person), handle administrative and marketing tasks for my business, or counsel clients at Boro Park Nutrition for several hours.
Life is crazy these days, but I’m excited for what’s in store for me in a few weeks when I’m working in my own private practice full-time!
How did you get your current job in dietetics?
About 4 months afterI completed my dietetic internship at the Bronx VA Hospital, my current position became available and I was lucky enough to get the job! As for my job at Boro Park Nutrition, I found and applied to a listing online.
What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?
I believe I’m naturally genuine and empathetic towards people, which helps me establish rapport more easily. I’m always learning and practicing motivational interviewing to encourage behavior change. Plus, I’ve had to learn how to run and market a business.
What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?
Trust your skills and your ability to succeed. Don’t be afraid of challenging yourself and remember that everyone had to fake it before they made it.
Before opening my practice just over a year ago, I could name a hundred reasons why I wasn’t ready or qualified to run my own business. But with the right support and a positive attitude, I realized there will never be a perfecttime to start my practice, so I begantaking small steps towards getting started. Initially, I was just faking self-confidence, but gradually, I’ve learned to truly believe in myself!
If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what
would it be?
Unlimited frequent flyer miles and free accommodations to travel the world as often as possible!
