Meet Pooja Vyas, MS, RDN, a Flexitarian RD who intends to help people reach their dietary and fitness goals by keeping it real and transparent. She’s paving the way for fellow dietitians by combining clinical skills with social media skills.

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics?
Growing up in India, food has always been the center of the world. It was not until my move to the US for school, I realized its impact on health and life. Early on during college, I realized that a career in Nutrition and Dietetics was the way to go! Thus, I went ahead to pursue a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nutrition; applied for the Internship and got my RD credentials. Possessing a keen interest in biological sciences, nutrition studies brought a lot of joy and excitement. I enjoyed every bit of it and it led me to explore the possibilities in the field—starting from Clinical Nutrition and Research to Food Service Management & Social Media engagement. Having to bag RD credentials and work in healthcare seemed a natural fit for me and I feel it was a good decision for my career.

Your Job Title?
Clinical & Patient Services Manager
Social Media Speaker & Health Educator

Company you are with now?
Dignity Health

Social Media:

Instagram: @Miss_Flexitarian

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vyaspooja/

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?
I wear multiple hats everyday while on-the-job. However, the most typical and productive day would ideally start with retrieving emails, planning the day, daily kitchen rounds, patient rounding, check-in with employees—Dietitians and food service employees, daily department meeting, management or inter-departmental meetings, patient education consult (on days) etc. Depending on projects and monthly commitments, priority varies and so does day-to-day responsibilities.

How did you get your current job in dietetics?
Being exposed to the infinite possibilities in the field of nutrition and dietetics, finding the right fit is a challenge. Having said that, post-graduation, I accepted the role of RD consultant that gave me the opportunity to explore different work settings within dietetics. For about 3 years, I worked and gained experience using MNT/NCP across varied areas and population mix. Recognizing the need to change gears and focus on sharpening advanced clinical skills, I started looking for acute care experience and ended up finding a suitable role with Dignity Health. Since then, there was no looking back.

Acute care environment helped me to venture out in the world of clinical nutrition and food service management; my current role focuses on nutrition education/counseling, clinical nutrition management, patient care and satisfaction—I absolutely love it!

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?
I have come to find myself as someone born with a deep sense of empathy and curiosity for almost everything, which reflects on my career as well as my personal life choices and how well I connect the dots. Besides, being born in a family of entrepreneurs, business/management and people skills come natural to me.

Aside, I have learned communication skills required for socially different and culturally competent environment. Being born an Empath, reflective listening and human understanding comes natural. However, pragmatic and soft skills to handle, deliver, and intervene (important for RDs in their career), was something I have built on. Using the natural gut instincts to its best potential use is something I am still working on. And I must say, it’s the recipe for success.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?
A career in Nutrition and Dietetics can very well be overwhelming. My advice would be to find your ‘own’ niche—try your hands on everything that interests you early on. Designing job positions for specific roles in the nutrition world is not uncommon; with sound and strategic mapping of career trajectory & networking, it is achievable. Besides, always make time for “ME time OR Self-Care” every week. Sit down, breathe, reflect! Brings back focus and helps rejuvenate.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be?
TRAVEL with loved ones and explore cities for their rich culture and influences.