Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Nutrition science graduates contribute to the nutrition workforce by bringing specialist knowledge and skills needed to address future food challenges. This study aims to provide a snapshot of the current employment landscape for nutrition science graduates in Australia and how well their degrees prepare them for employment.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of Australian tertiary nutrition graduates was conducted to explore tertiary training, employment pathways and their perceived preparedness for practice.
RESULTS: This study included a final sample of 119 graduates from 17 Australian tertiary institutions. Almost two-thirds of respondents had completed further training. Most graduates (77%, n = 91) had worked in a food, nutrition science or health-related role after their degree; the most frequently cited employment settings were government or public health organisations; research, not-for-profit or nongovernment organisations; and the food industry. Work-integrated learning was identified as a key predictor of graduates working in a role that differed from their expectations as a student. The skill categories developed during nutrition training that were most valued in the workplace included nutrition and scientific knowledge, and professional and communication skills.
CONCLUSIONS: This study offers first insights into the current employment landscape for nutrition graduates across Australia. Findings show that current nutrition science professionals are highly qualified and prepared to navigate the evolving demands of nutrition practice. Regular review of graduate employment will inform nutrition science curriculum to enable graduates to be well equipped in the face of dynamic practice settings.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of Australian tertiary nutrition graduates was conducted to explore tertiary training, employment pathways and their perceived preparedness for practice.
RESULTS: This study included a final sample of 119 graduates from 17 Australian tertiary institutions. Almost two-thirds of respondents had completed further training. Most graduates (77%, n = 91) had worked in a food, nutrition science or health-related role after their degree; the most frequently cited employment settings were government or public health organisations; research, not-for-profit or nongovernment organisations; and the food industry. Work-integrated learning was identified as a key predictor of graduates working in a role that differed from their expectations as a student. The skill categories developed during nutrition training that were most valued in the workplace included nutrition and scientific knowledge, and professional and communication skills.
CONCLUSIONS: This study offers first insights into the current employment landscape for nutrition graduates across Australia. Findings show that current nutrition science professionals are highly qualified and prepared to navigate the evolving demands of nutrition practice. Regular review of graduate employment will inform nutrition science curriculum to enable graduates to be well equipped in the face of dynamic practice settings.
摘要：
背景：营养科学毕业生通过带来应对未来食品挑战所需的专业知识和技能，为营养劳动力做出贡献。这项研究旨在提供澳大利亚营养科学毕业生当前就业形势的快照，以及他们的学位如何为就业做好准备。
方法：对澳大利亚大学营养专业毕业生进行了横断面调查，以探讨大学培训，就业途径及其对实践的感知准备。
结果：这项研究包括来自17个澳大利亚高等教育机构的119名毕业生的最终样本。近三分之二的受访者完成了进一步的培训。大多数毕业生（77%，n=91）曾在食品中工作，获得学位后的营养科学或与健康相关的角色；最常被引用的就业环境是政府或公共卫生组织；研究，非营利组织或非政府组织；以及食品工业。工作整合学习被认为是毕业生在一个不同于他们作为学生的期望的角色中工作的关键预测因素。在工作场所最重视的营养培训期间开发的技能类别包括营养和科学知识，以及专业和沟通技巧。
结论：这项研究为澳大利亚营养学毕业生目前的就业前景提供了初步见解。研究结果表明，当前的营养科学专业人员具有高素质，并准备好应对不断变化的营养实践需求。对毕业生就业的定期审查将为营养科学课程提供信息，使毕业生能够面对动态的实践环境。
方法：对澳大利亚大学营养专业毕业生进行了横断面调查，以探讨大学培训，就业途径及其对实践的感知准备。
结果：这项研究包括来自17个澳大利亚高等教育机构的119名毕业生的最终样本。近三分之二的受访者完成了进一步的培训。大多数毕业生（77%，n=91）曾在食品中工作，获得学位后的营养科学或与健康相关的角色；最常被引用的就业环境是政府或公共卫生组织；研究，非营利组织或非政府组织；以及食品工业。工作整合学习被认为是毕业生在一个不同于他们作为学生的期望的角色中工作的关键预测因素。在工作场所最重视的营养培训期间开发的技能类别包括营养和科学知识，以及专业和沟通技巧。
结论：这项研究为澳大利亚营养学毕业生目前的就业前景提供了初步见解。研究结果表明，当前的营养科学专业人员具有高素质，并准备好应对不断变化的营养实践需求。对毕业生就业的定期审查将为营养科学课程提供信息，使毕业生能够面对动态的实践环境。
