How I Became A Nutritionist

How do you become a nutritionist and what is that job really like? We ask Sheeba Majmudar, a 45-year-old with 12 years experience in the business, who had been a housewife until her struggle with her son’s health made her want to understand nutrition better.

Q: Hi Sheeba! How did you end up as a nutritionist? Was it a life-long dream or pure chance?

A: My 2-year-old son started developing bronchitis and the doctor started him on a inhaler. It was so traumatising for him and for me, it started me wondering if there would be a better, more natural way, to improve his health rather than to just medicate. I started to read more and look for ways to work on him naturally. That’s when I stumbled on nutrition as a lifestyle and was fascinated enough to do my Master of Science in Human Nutrition.

What academic certifications, training or experience does a person need to be qualified to work as a nutritionist, and how did you acquire those yourself?

You can get a Diploma in Nutrition from colleges in the U.S.A., Australia, U.K. or a Master’s degree. I did it at a U.S.A. university. But after I finished my program, I realised that this field of study is huge and I was only on the top of the iceberg. This lead me to study other areas related to nutrition like becoming a Clinical Herbalist (and many more such explorations). I started my own practice straight after my degree through word-of-mouth recommendations.

How much, approximately, did acquiring the above qualifications cost and how did you pay it off?

It cost over USD$22,000 as it was a full-blown Master’s program. I paid it per semester. Fortunately, my husband was working and supported my studies.

How long after becoming qualified did it take you to get your first job as a nutritionist? How did you know of the job opening and what did you have to do to get hired?

I didn’t wait to find a job. I started on my own and through word-of-mouth (no website then!) got my practice going.

Which 3 aspects of the job were most difficult for you at first and how did you figure out how to overcome them?

1— Information in this field is always in a flux. The danger of this is that your knowledge may really be an opinion.
2— What I knew never felt enough.
3— You need to have a high EQ (emotional quotient) to work with clients, to get them to start making changes and get them to feel better.

I overcame all these by always remaining a student and learning from every circumstance and person.

Which 3 aspects of the job do you enjoy the most?

1— The gratification of having helped improve even one life.
2— Complete satisfaction in having helped improve my own and my family’s health.
3— The joy of learning new things and being open to all possibilities.

What do you currently do at work on a regular basis?

I practice what I preach.

What is the work schedule of a nutritionist like? Do you have to work on weekends?

I schedule my own time as I work for myself.

What is the salary of a nutritionist like? Are there other benefits?

Am not familiar with the market for salaries as I have my own business.

Which 3 objects/people are most useful for you when you are at work?

Be prepared for it to be a lonely journey.

1— My Surface Laptop is really all I need.
2— I use a standing desk with my super awesome foot Kybun kyBounder cushion.
That’s it… I am a no frills person.

Which place in Singapore is most useful?

Cold Storage for all my healthy grocery needs.

Name 3 people you’ve ever tried to emulate over the course of your career and explain why.

I have carved my own path from the start because I don’t know any mentor or person who does or offers all that I do. I have had great teachers for that. I do like to read some of the blogs of Naturopathic doctors and world fitness experts (from Germany and U.S.A.).

What did you learn from becoming a professional nutritionist that you didn’t know before?

That we are responsible for creating health and how we choose to live. It’s our story and we are the authors.

What’s the worst advice you’ve been given, or have heard people giving, with regards to being a nutritionist, and what’s the best?

The worst advice I got was from a doctor who said there were not many jobs available for nutritionists so it was not a promising career.

The best advice I got was from my husband who really asked me a question that changed my life: “Is this something you want to do for the rest of your life?” It’s easy when the answer is a resounding YES.

If you could replay your entire career all over again, what would you change?

It’s a journey of learning and evolving. So nothing needs to be changed.

What advice do you have for those hoping to become professional nutritionists too?

Be child-like and continue to nourish your curiosity.

Lastly, when do you think you will retire or quit from this job?

Not likely I will.

Sheeba is presently busy running between Singapore and Japan as she is setting up an office in Tokyo. You may follow her progress at www.sheebathenutritionist.com or share your own experience with the nutritionist career by using the comment box below.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Sheeba Majmudar. Interviewer: Sy
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