See the Dream. Hear the Dream. Speak the Dream.

How many people out there know what the want when they want it?

Okay, how many of you know they want to work in the health care field?

Now, how many of you know exactly what you want to do in the health care field?

Anyone? You're not alone.

Sure, I know that I would like to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). I am making every effort to become that by studying intensely for this board exam. But what I want to know is...and then what? What am I going to do after that?

Lucky for us, health care isn't limited to just working in an office every single day. The best part about this field is... WE HAVE OPTIONS. For example, as an RD, I am not limited to work at a hospital. I can work as a consultant for an assisted living center, or as the nutrition expertise for a big public relations firm. I can also work at a weight loss camp for a summer and have housing and lodging covered, or work as a cookbook editor for a publishing company. Just because we decided to enter the health care field doesn't limit us from doing all the other things we want to do.

I'm currently job hunting on the side. Problem is, where do I want to start? Where do I want my first job to be? And for whatever reason, I refuse to just work wherever is available, for the sake of getting a job. I want my dream job. I want to work where I want to work. After all, I will be working there everyday, might as well love it.

First step in trying to figure out my niche? Create a "vision board." One of my preceptors during my dietetic internship suggested it.

What You Need:

1 posterboard

markers

1 pair of scissors

magazines, newspapers, articles

1 glue stick

It's quite simple and self-explanatory. Whatever you find that makes your heart skip a beat from excitement, put it on your vision board. It can be anything. You're not limited. And before you know it, it'll hit you like a piano off the 24th floor of a building...YOUR DREAM JOB.

I will be doing this to figure me out. Who's with me?!

Here's a video of an example from youtube.com (she's also from Chicago!). It's a little lengthy but she really breaks it down as to how you can approach creating YOUR VISION BOARD :) in a non-threatening way.

Health Nutty for...Michelle the Health Coach

I dedicate this blog entry for those of you who are interested in the health care field but are not sure which direction to choose...or for those of you who are already in the field and in search for "something different". Choosing a career is always very difficult, especially when you're not really sure what you want to do. If you enjoy talking to people, have a positive attitude and are passionate about making this world a better place by strategically approaching one health care problem at a time...becoming a Health Coach just might be the thing for you!

Health Nutty Profile

Name: Michelle O.

Age: 28 years old

Occupation: Health Coach

What exactly do you do?

"I speak to people across the country looking to find some help with health related goals like increasing exercise, eating well, quitting smoking."

What type of educational background do you need for this job?

"Educational background can vary from Bachelor in Nutritition, Psychology, Exercise Physiology, Health Education, Nursing."

What is your favorite part of your day?
"My favorite part of the day is anytime I get off the phones and "it" clicks for people. When they realize that eating right or exercising can help them live longer, be stronger, avoid disease...you get off the calls and can't help but smile because it doesn't necessarily have to do with any one thing you said during the call, it's the sum of their life experiences combined with the nudging and information you give them a little at a time and then they come to the conclusion that they actually have the choice whether they quit smoking or lose weight or run that triathlon and that they control whether it happens or not...what we do is only hold them accountable for dreaming their dreams and helping them see it through."

What is the most challenging part of your day?
"The most challenging part of the day can be one where you just feel off your game...when you wonder if you inspired or allowed someone to believe in themselves enough to dare to step out on the ledge. Sometimes we talk to people that feel like "they have to" participate in our program. It's exciting when they allow themselves to look beyond their 4 call obligation....it's also frustrating when they don't. We're not supposed to be so caught up...it's supposed to be all on them whatever they choose to do but it's hard not wanting to help them see their potential."

Word of Advice?
"Overall, as a word of advice in any profession you seek out...look for ways to stand out and become involved. Be vocal about how you'd like to share what you can bring to the table because no one else may know how amazing you are at something until they know. Putting yourself out there to do things that go above and beyond can be fulfilling and allow others to respect that you care more than what your job description reads."

A special thank you goes out to Michelle O., my fellow NIU Nutrition & Dietetics alumni, for participating!

Interested in an occupation you'd like me to do a "Healthy Nutty for..." entry on? Or do you have other questions regarding this health coach job you would like me to ask Michelle? Leave a comment!

Health Coach photo courtesy

Health Nuts' Quote of the Week:

"Don't be afraid to give up the good and go for the great." -Kenny Rogers

Obama's Health Care Reform: Pros & Cons, Student-Friendly ed.

I'm going to be honest with you. I don't know enough about Obama's health care plan to have an opinion about it, but I do have the curiosity to find out. Below are videos I found describing the pros and cons of Obama's Health Care Reform in a way that I could understand:

The Plan: Why We Need Government-Run Universal Socialized Health Insurance


The Rebuttal: Why We Don't Need Socialized Medicine

(Breathes) Now, you would think by the end of watching the above videos, I would have an opinion regarding the matter, but I honestly don't. Mostly because, I think it's a lot to think about, a lot to take in, and I need to continue researching, reading and learn more about it before I can develop an opinion. But I will say that for now, just for now, considering my background as a Registered Dietitian to-be, I would have to lean towards working on improving the current health care plan. I say this because I support the prevention aspect of it. I believe that now that we are dealing with health care problems, we can put efforts into preventing them from happening in the first place. But like I said, I am still in the process of figuring out what I want for our country, for myself. Stay tuned!

To see how Obama's Health Reform will affect you and/or to support it by writing to your members of Congress, click here.

What's your take? I can really use some input!

Obama photo courtesy

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Health Nuts' Tip of the Week:

Five Practical Paths in Healthcare by Hannah Waight

1. Psychologists
2. Registered Nurses
3. Medical/Health Researchers
4. Physicians & Surgeons
5. Management

Health Nuts' Quote of the Week:

"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." -Mark Twain