I am an educator, lecturing about weight management and prevention of diseases associated with obesity. I am a volunteer, creating programs for the community to learn more about eating for health and strategies for weight management. I am an author, an officer with the Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group, and have a private practice.

EDUCATION | In my previous life I was involved in sales and marketing, with a BA from Florida Atlantic University, and had my own insurance brokerage in New York City. I returned to school in my late 30s and earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in nutrition/health education from Queens College, and advanced certificates in adult and adolescent/pediatric weight management. I am a certified diabetes educator.

HOW TO GET STARTED | Log on to www.eatright.org, the website for the American Dietetic Association. This is the largest group of nutrition professionals. The amount of information on this site, for launching your career is outstanding.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | Professional, ethical, empathetic, curious, tenacious, energetic, entrepreneurial

how I got started | Like many people, my career was not planned. I am lucky because I was able to return to school and the second time around was quite different and exciting, because I was able to parlay my success in changing my lifestyle and improving my health into a career in counseling others on how to accomplish their own lifestyle makeover.

why this job?| I read a book! What Color is Your Parachute, inspired me to look at what I LIKE to do, and imagine that I can work and make a living doing this. In my late teens and early 20s, I was very overweight and having a very hard time, but with help, with counseling and a healthy structured food and fitness program, I lost almost 50 pounds, and changed my life from overweight and unwell to fit and healthy. I used the strength I developed by working on my behaviors to challenge myself to complete the rigorous work necessary to return to school after being out for almost 15 years and take (and pass! Deans List) organic chemistry, biochemistry, and more.

why I love this job!| Part of what I must do is to stay current with research about weight management practices, nutrition research and findings, and public policy, and how it affects the health of our nation. I created a career where I get to practice what I preach, and preach what I practice. I feel honored that people seek me out for advice, and devote myself to improving my practice skills.

my typical day| First thing or just after breakfast, I bike, walk, or Nordic track. Then I work just about every day in my volunteer positions, creating presentations, soliciting sponsors for educational initiatives. I see clients, talk to the media about food, nutrition, wellness, fitness and write articles for clients and for my website and blog. I love to cook, and we eat at home most of the time and often entertain.

what they are | There are people who are not licensed or trained in nutrition who unlawfully practice, and we need to be sure consumers understand this. People call themselves "nutritionists" and sell products that may be dangerous, or at least not contain what is on the label. I feel challenged because our laws and enforcement are not sufficient to protect consumers.

all about growth | There is growth in my chosen career. Registered dietitians are employed in corporate, healthcare, food service, marketing, manufacturing and government worksites, as well as in education and private practice. There are a lot of options.

my website| http://www.susanburkemarch.com