Lifelong Learning Expands Career Horizons

Abstract

Building on a solid foundation William Howard Taft's term as president of the United States was a stepping stone to his ultimate goal of being chief justice of the Supreme Court. Former child star Shirley Temple Black parlayed her talents into a political career. A similar story of second-career success is being repeated by many dietetics professionals who began in traditional areas of practice and now find themselves pioneering careers in new arenas—as writers, nursing home administrators, industry consultants, sports nutrition experts, and research study coordinators, to name a few. What is the key link in these success stories? An interest in lifelong learning and a commitment to “upskilling” or developing new skills. For dietetics professionals this means adding to the repertoire of solid nutrition knowledge and dietetics skills all dietetics professionals possess. Highlighting lifelong learning In this issue we bring together several perspectives on lifelong learning, including those of Duyff, who asserts that “The ability to engage in lifelong self-directed learning is the single most important competence that people must possess” (p 542). She offers a 6-step plan for becoming a successful lifelong learner. How do your skills match up with the traits, skills, and needs she identifies as being essential for success? The Commission on Dietetic Registration's Professional Development 2001 Portfolio (p 612), which focuses on self-reflection, assessing learning needs, developing and implementing a learning plan, and evaluating outcomes, is also based on a lifelong learning model. For tips on how to create a portfolio, along with sample portfolios, see the FYI (p 536). Finally, President Coulston (p 523) inspires dietetics professionals to enhance their skills to meet the future challenges and opportunities facing the profession. She identifies 2 trends to capitalize on: consumers’ outsourcing of cooking and the redefinition of nutrition as more than energy and nutrients. For more on lifelong learning, check out Dodd's April article (p 422) in which she challenges dietetics professionals to “leap” into new leadership roles and career paths. Gathering knowledge The Journal's combination of nutrition research and practice information makes it an ideal resource for lifelong learning. True to form, the May issue offers readers many ways to expand their scientific knowledge and explore innovative practice ideas: ■ Israel and McCabe (p 583) present a model for employer-sponsored coverage of medical nutrition therapy that represents the cutting edge of dietetics practice. The authors used medical nutrition therapy protocols, similar in design to the fluid/dehydration protocols on page 605, to document the positive patient outcomes achieved. ■ Hebert and colleagues (p 544) show that a dietitian-delivered intervention is the most effective for reducing fat, cholesterol, and weight in patients with hyperlipidemia. ■ Brooks and coworkers’ (p 591) interesting case study of a patient with anorexia nervosa and compromised bone mineral density demonstrates the value of an intervention that combines nutrition counseling with an exercise plan. Be sure to scan the table of contents to see what other articles might fit into your own lifelong learning plan. A dietetics visionary As we focus on fostering an atmosphere of lifelong learning, it is fitting to end with a tribute to the Association's 1982-1983 President, Kathleen Zolber, who died recently (p 604). She was president when I came on board as Journal editor, and I was impressed by the dedication and energy she committed to the profession and the people in it. We can celebrate her legacy by emulating her commitment to lifelong professional growth. Judith M. Ashley, PhD, RD, University of Nevada, Reno Stacey J. Bell, DSc, RD, Medical Foods, Inc, Cambridge, Mass Lori Borrud, DrPH, RD, US Department of Agriculture, Riverdale, Md Pamela L. Y. H. Ching, ScD, RD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga Bertrum C. Connell, PhD, RD, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, Calif Sonja L. Connor, MS, RD, The Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland Abby Ershow, ScD, RD, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Md Constance Geiger, PhD, RD, Geiger and Associates, Salt Lake City, Utah Michele Morath Gottschlich, PhD, RD, Shriners Burns Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio Mary B. Gregoire, PhD, RD, FADA, Iowa State University, Ames Jean H. Hankin, DrPH, RD, University of Hawaii, Honolulu Janet R. Hunt, PhD, RD, US Department of Agriculture, Grand Forks, ND Rachel K. Johnson, PhD, MPH, RD, University of Vermont, Burlington Janice L. Kidd, PhD, MBA, RD, Kidd & Company, Knoxville, Tenn Nancy F. Krebs, MD, RD, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver Karen S. Kubena, PhD, RD, Texas A&M University, College Station Richard D. Mattes, PhD, MPH, RD, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind Beverly J. McCabe, PhD, RD, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock Cheryl L. Rock, PhD, RD, FADA,University of California, San Diego Linda G. Snetselaar, PhD, RD, University of Iowa, Iowa City Patricia L. Splett, PhD, RD, Evaluation Consultant, St Paul, Minn Amy Subar, PhD, MPH, RD, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md Lesley Fels Tinker, PhD, RD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Wash Linda V. Van Horn, PhD, RD, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill Virginia L. Wilkening, MS, RD, US Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC Anita K. Wilson, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie Judith Wylie-Rosett, EdD, RD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY Monica Yamamoto, DrPH, RD, FADA, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa