The following review was posted on the Society for Nutrition Education's listserv, SNEEZE October 20, 2001 related to edition 2.

Untangling the Nutrition Web in Career Development. Ernst JA., 2001. Nutrition Careers, softcover, 28 pgs, 703-532-1449.

"This special handbook is dedicated to helping you think about managing, building, developing or even changing your nutrition-related career." It highlights nontraditional, as well as traditional career choices while dealing with the personal aspects of career development.

"Career choices and decisions are an integral part of a life-long search for your own identity." With this statement from the "Introduction" of this handbook, the author sets the tone for the personal approach to career development. Use of the concepts of life-long learning and self-development are integral to the process described in the handbook. External influences on career choices presented include changes to the economic system and the resultant growth in service and information technology sectors. As well, the need to balance career and personal needs was discussed as a gendered issue for a female dominated profession.

This handbook grew from a 1996 workshop that discussed nontraditional nutrition career paths. Advice contained in the book stresses the long-term nature of career development and refinement. Careers change as a person learns more about self and the nutrition field. The specific method laid out to decide which direction to take or how to change direction is a reflective one - an upcoming method being seen in nutrition professional practice and credentialing.

Career analysis is presented in three major sections. The first of these, "Understanding Yourself," consists of five reflective questions and a worksheet to help readers examine personal experiences, abilities, interests, work values and career goals. Terms used in the questions are defined in a glossary. To help readers begin the assessment process, a partial listing of skills, abilities and interests is provided.

The second section, "Understanding Alternatives," includes an extensive table of nutrition career possibilities. Career alternatives are divided by job category (e.g., food industry, advocacy/non-profit), job area (e.g., hotel/restaurant, advertising), work places (e.g., obesity management programs, World Health Organization) and skills & interests (e.g., public speaking, communication, sustainable agriculture). The listing of actual work places in strongly US-based, especially those work sites in the Washington, DC area. The handbook could be strengthened by inclusion of more international organizations and examples. However, finding similar work sites in other countries would be possible with these listings as guides. This table is a major contribution of the handbook. It allows users to begin with any area of personal interest or understanding and explore possible jobs. For example, one could compare one's self with the skills or interests of particular career areas.

Future trends and their potential impact on nutrition career areas were presented. Emphasis was given to possible role changes resulting from the restructuring of health care systems and the importance of cross-training or up-skilling. This type of training has been in the forefront of nutrition education programs in recent years. At this point the handbook gives the specifics of application for US federal employment. Outlining the job application process in a more general manner might strengthen the presentation. This would allow users at the beginning of their career to understand the various steps in the application process. Readers could be directed to sites with specific information for various work sites. This would give a stronger link between the text and the chart listing topic areas to read in the want ads to find career possibilities.

The third section of the assessment process deals with "Making Appropriate Choices." Issues faced during the decision-making process are presented. These include the need for creativity and confidence, compromises to consider, potential barriers, and need for care in the decision-making process.

The handbook includes a number of resources to assist the reader in their exploration. Workbook pages for each of the sections are included. A checklist entitled "What I need to do next?" follows these three workbook sections. In addition, a short listing of job search Web sites, nutrition and health career sites, and books is reported. The listings for nutrition listservs note only SNEEZE, when there are many others available. Inclusion of some of the other listservs would be of use to non-SNE members using the handbook. Jobline telephone numbers are provided for three US government agencies and departments. Addition of a footnote directing readers to general search sites would be of use for those not looking for government-based work.

This handbook will be of use to anyone interested in starting or redirecting a career in nutrition. While brief, it is an ideal tool to begin the career development process. It would be of use with university students in either undergraduate or graduate programs. Dietetic interns and residents will also find it of relevance. For curriculum developers, this handbook will be beneficial, especially given the trend towards problem-based learning and prior learning assessment.

Reviewed by: Laurie A. Wadsworth, M.Sc., Ph.D., P.Dt., Assistant Professor, Department of Human Nutrition St. Francis Xavier University, Box 5000, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5, CANADA