Welcome to the team !
We are so excited to introduce our two new team members at Dietitian Connection . We asked Jane and Melissa to share a little about themselves with you .
Jane Winter Account Director
Tell us how pursuing a career in dietetics all started ?
I really had no idea what I wanted to do when I left school but was better at science subjects than humanities so went on and did a Bachelor of Science which I think was about fourth on my preference list . Once that was finished , I was still none the wiser about a career and my mother suggested I have a look at Dietetics ( thanks Mum ), so I did and then applied unsuccessfully to a number of universities . I waited a year and did further study and work experience to try and strengthen my application and the following year was accepted at Flinders University . A fairly mediocre entry to the profession !
How did your career progress from there ?
My first job was as a clinical dietitian at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide . In those days we only had about 12 people in the course so most of us got jobs . But once again , I was lucky because the job interview was at the same time as the DAA conference interstate and most of my classmates attended the conference . I think 2 of us were interviewed for the 2 new grad positions , so once again a fairly inauspicious start to a career .
After that I worked in number of clinical positions in Adelaide and Melbourne and then took up a part time position lecturing and organising clinical placements at Deakin University . I loved the teaching but after 10 years decided it was time to move on and try something new which was when I found myself working in the medical nutrition industry . It was also a job I loved as it involved offering professional development to dietitians and other health care workers about nutrition but also had a clinical focus .
Over the working journey , I ’ ve also completed a Masters of Professional Education and my PhD which was probably the most rewarding ( and painful ) experience of my whole career .
What attracted you to working at Dietitian Connection ?
I ’ ve worked with Maree , as a client since Dietitian Connection launched and have been inspired by the business that she ’ s built . I feel like it ’ s a perfect combination of what I ’ ve been doing my whole career encompassing education for dietitians , understanding clinical dietetics and providing responsible links between clinicians and industry . I ’ m really excited to be a part of the DC team .
© Dietitian Connection 7 Infuse | November 2020