I met Devika Sharma, BSc, RD, through Instagram and she is a powerhouse dietitian with a fantastic wit and charm. Her posts always crack me up with her sense of humor. She uses her extensive nutrition knowledge to effectively communicate clear messaging to her audience and clients. She’s an amazing RD to learn from. Devika also understands the importance of networking and has used that to meet other dietitians who have helped her grow along the way. Read on to learn more about her successful career path. - Sarah

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics?
I have always been one to be physically active and interested in food, so I naturally gravitated towards the food and nutrition field in university. With food allergies and sensitivities being quite common in my family, I’ve always found myself to be reading up on medical nutrition therapy to help them overcome any food challenges that they were facing. One of the things that I appreciate the most about the field of nutrition is that it is always evolving, which means I’m always learning something new.

Your Job Title?
Registered dietitian and self-appointed food pun extraordinaire😊[and author!]

Company you are with now?
I work for Fraser Health Authority, and run my own consulting business, One More Bite Nutrition, Author, Macro Cookbook for Beginners *

Website:

www.onemorebite.ca

Social Media:

- Instagram: @nutritionbydevika

- Facebook: @nutritionbydevika

- TikTok: @nutritionbydevika

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?
I work full time Monday-Friday 8-4pm in a clinical setting, so my week days are fairly routine. You’ll find me assessing patients and implementing nutrition interventions to better their health. During the week evenings and weekends, I create social media content, run 1:1 and group weight loss coaching programs and often am working on nutrition related projects (e.g. my cookbook, collaborations with companies, food photography). My days usually end with me watching Grey’s Anatomy or some crime show while eating popcorn.

How did you get your current job in dietetics?
I completed my internship with Fraser Health and was offered a position once I graduated from the Dietetics program. I worked in many different areas in the hospital setting, but found myself gravitating towards the renal population. When an opportunity opened up, I applied and 8 years later I’m still working in a hemodialysis unit and have been running my side business for 3 years.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?
I’ve always been a problem solver and good with time management – both of which are important when working full time and having a side business. Coming from a science background, I had little exposure on how to run a successful business and create a brand. I enrolled in programs and collaborated with other dietitians to form the skills and network needed to establish my business – especially in the social media world.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?
Never let fear and self-doubt kill your dream. Envision where you want to be in the next 5 years, and find opportunities to support that path. There will always be challenges along the way, but as I tell my clients with weight loss, the road to success is rarely linear. Collaborate and reach out to other dietitians that also share the same goal. It’s amazing what you can learn from their experiences, and what kind of opportunities can arise.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what
would it be?
Unlimited access to Starbucks! 😊

* Affiliate Link