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Dietetic Career Spotlight on Barbara Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND, founder of Nutrition Communicator, LLC

Dietetic Career Spotlight on Barbara Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND, founder of Nutrition Communicator, LLC

Meet Barbara Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND, founder of Nutrition Communicator, LLC. Barbara has always had a passion for nutrition communication and education.

Starting at a young age she created nutrition classes for children teaching them nutrition concepts. She eventually became a professor at Purdue University where she spent 16 years teaching Nutrition Communication to students.

Due to her expertise, Barbara was asked to serve as Editor-in-Chief for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics new book: Communicating Nutrition the Authoritative Guide. Read on to learn more about Barbara's career path as a dietitian.

Also watch our live video interview on YouTube with Barbara as she shares How To Effectively Communicate Nutrition To Boost Dietitian Career Opportunities.

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics?

My initial career aspiration was to be a food editor for a national magazine. I started at Purdue in the major Foods and Nutrition in Business with a minor in Communications. My advisor encouraged me to add the Dietetics major so I could become an RD and enhance my opportunities. I soon learned that I loved my nutrition courses as much as my food courses. I also was inspired during college by a guest speaker about nutrition education and my career trajectory changed in that direction.

Company are you with now?

Nutrition Communicator, LLC

Your Job Title?

Founder and President

Social Media:

A typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?

A typical day includes content creation such as writing blogs, social media posts, and preparing for presentations, posting on social media, zoom calls with clients, colleagues, and educators, and volunteering at the Delphi Opera House where I serve on the board of directors.

How did you get your current job in dietetics?

I created my current company after retiring from teaching at Purdue University. My signature course was nutrition communication and soon after retiring I was asked by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to write a book on this subject.

I served as editor for Communicating Nutrition: The Authoritative Guide, leading a team of 57 authors. Much of my current work is helping fellow educators, as well as current and future nutrition professionals, use the book and excel as communicators.

Prior to teaching I had a private practice, worked in the WIC program, and had a company focused on nutrition education resources and consulting.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?

From an early age I have been entrepreneurial and organized, and I enjoy teaching others and creating teaching resources.

As a lifelong learner, I have learned computer skills, honed my writing skills, and continually work to become a more proficient communicator.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?

Be willing to try new things, be willing to say yes (but not to everything at once!), be willing to fail and learn from your mistakes, look for what needs to be done and do it better, work well with others, and in the process discover your "sweet spot". No one else can be you!

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be?

Now that I am retired, most of what I do is as a volunteer, so my paycheck is the satisfaction of contributing something of worth to others. However, to answer the question as intended, I would gladly accept complimentary travel - airfare, cruise tickets, free stay in a quaint B&B...



About the Author

Katie Padva, MS, RDN, LDN, is a Registered Dietitian passionate about delivering nutrition education through writing, teaching, and counseling to help prevent and manage chronic diseases. She works in a private practice helping individuals be the best version of themselves through healthy nutrition. She also works as an adjunct instructor at a University educating students on nutrition concepts. When she is not working, Katie enjoys being outside, running, writing, cooking, doing yoga and hiking! Connect with her on LinkedIn.

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