RDN Spotlight: Clara Nosek, MS, RDN
What is your ethnicity/race? Did your family have any customs related to food? Please describe.
Filipina/Asian. Food is a huge part of my family and Filipino culture. It is definitely a love language. As a first-generation Filipina American, food was my first connection to my culture and heritage.
Where/when did you go to undergrad/dietetic internship/grad school?
D’Youville College, Coordinated Program, Class of 2016
Why did you decide to choose nutrition and dietetics as a career?
I wanted to work in healthcare, and nutrition and dietetics was the perfect combination of my love for food and science.
What do you do now as an RDN and what does a typical day/week look like for you?
I am currently focusing on being a homemaker and stay-at-home mom to two littles. I stay connected to my dietetic side through content creation for social media, drawing attention to issues that directly affect my peers and the communities we serve.
What is/was the biggest challenge for you in becoming a dietitian and how did you overcome that challenge? This can be related to being an RD of color or not just any challenge?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced is stepping into the role of a dietitian and taking up space. I was told that there was only one path to becoming a respectable RD, but at the time the path was not in alignment with my life. By opening up my first private practice, I learned there are many paths and very exciting opportunities for dietitians and it was up to me to seek them out. Lesson: don’t listen to the haters.
Have you had any mentors in your career if yes how have those mentors affected your career/life?
Yes (Jennifer McGurk and the pursuing private practice crew). She helped me feel empowered and gave me the confidence to take my first entrepreneurial leap.
Why do you think diversifying this field is important?
For the reason I entered the field: I want to help people. We can be better practitioners if the care we provide is more culturally humble and inclusive.
What is a piece of advice you would give a student of color interested in entering the field of dietetics?
It will be traumatizing AF. It is of the utmost importance to find support through organizations like Diversify Dietetics.