Researchers followed 150 dietitian graduates from an Australian university for two years after they finished school to see how well they found jobs in their field. Most graduates (about 85%) were working as dietitians by the two-year mark, though many started in temporary positions. The study found that graduates who wanted to work in hospitals or private practices usually got those jobs, but it took time. The first year after graduation was the toughest period for finding stable, full-time work. This research helps universities understand how to better prepare students for the real job market.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How well dietitian graduates find jobs in their field and whether they end up working where they wanted to work
  • Who participated: 150 dietitian graduates from Griffith University in Australia who finished their degrees between 2017 and 2019. About 91% answered the first survey, but only about half answered all four surveys over two years
  • Key finding: About 85% of graduates were working as dietitians two years after graduation, with most working in hospitals (45%) or private practices (38%). However, only about 25% had permanent jobs at the one-year mark, and many started in temporary positions
  • What it means for you: If you’re studying to become a dietitian, expect that finding your ideal job may take time—especially in the first year. Most graduates do find work in their field, but be prepared for temporary positions before landing permanent roles. This suggests universities should better prepare students for this transition period

The Research Details

Researchers invited 150 dietitian graduates to take online surveys at four different times: right after graduation, at 6 months, at 12 months, and at 24 months (two years). The surveys asked graduates about their job preferences and what jobs they actually had. This approach, called a longitudinal study, allows researchers to follow the same people over time and see how their situations change.

The study tracked whether graduates got jobs in their preferred areas (hospitals or private practices) and whether those jobs were full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary. By following people at multiple timepoints, researchers could identify when the toughest period was for finding work and whether graduates’ early job preferences matched their actual jobs later on.

The researchers analyzed the data by looking at percentages and patterns—for example, what percentage worked as dietitians at each timepoint and how many people who wanted hospital jobs actually ended up in hospitals.

Following graduates over time is important because it shows the real challenges of starting a career, not just whether people eventually find jobs. By checking in at multiple points, researchers could identify that the first 12 months after graduation was the hardest period. This type of information helps universities improve their training programs and helps future graduates know what to expect

The study’s main strength is that it followed real graduates over a meaningful time period (two years) and asked them directly about their experiences. However, the response rate dropped over time—while 91% answered the first survey, only 51% answered the final survey. This means the later results might not represent all graduates equally. The study also only looked at one university’s program, so results might differ at other schools. The study is recent (graduates from 2017-2019) and comes from a reputable journal, which adds credibility

What the Results Show

At the two-year mark, 85.7% of respondents were working as dietitians, which is a strong employment rate. However, the path to employment wasn’t always straightforward. At the one-year mark (which appears to be the toughest period), only 84.3% were employed as dietitians, and only 25.3% had permanent positions—meaning most were in temporary or contract work.

By two years, the situation improved: 69.7% were working more than 32 hours per week (considered full-time), and permanent positions became more common. The majority worked in hospitals (45.5%) or private practices (37.9%), with smaller numbers in other settings like community health or food service.

When researchers looked at whether graduates ended up in their preferred work settings, they found interesting patterns. Of the graduates who wanted hospital jobs at graduation, 56.8% actually worked in hospitals two years later. For those who preferred private practice, the results were even stronger: 93.8% were in private practice at six months, and 75% stayed there through the two-year period.

These findings suggest that while most dietitians do find work in their field, the transition involves a period of temporary employment and job searching, particularly in the first year after graduation.

The study revealed that job preferences stated at graduation were fairly reliable predictors of where graduates would eventually work, especially for private practice. This suggests that students have a reasonable sense of their career goals. However, the data also shows that many graduates had to accept temporary positions initially before moving into permanent roles, indicating that the job market requires patience and flexibility. The fact that 69.7% were working full-time hours by two years (compared to 60% at one year) shows gradual improvement in employment stability

While the abstract doesn’t directly compare to other studies, it notes that ’transition to employment is considered a vulnerable period for health professional graduates,’ suggesting this is a known challenge across healthcare fields. The finding that the first 12 months is the toughest period aligns with general knowledge about early-career challenges in professional fields. The relatively high employment rate (85%) for dietitians is positive compared to some other professions, though direct comparisons would require reviewing other studies

The biggest limitation is that fewer people answered the later surveys—only 51% of the original 150 graduates answered the final survey. This means we don’t know if the graduates who didn’t respond had different job outcomes. The study only looked at one university in Australia, so results might be different at other schools or in other countries. The study also didn’t explore why some graduates left the field or why some took longer to find permanent work. Additionally, the study didn’t examine factors like gender, age, or personal circumstances that might affect job outcomes

The Bottom Line

If you’re studying dietetics or recently graduated: (1) Expect that finding your ideal job may take 6-12 months, and be prepared to work temporary positions initially (moderate confidence—based on this single program’s data). (2) Your job preferences stated early in your career are likely to match where you eventually work, so think carefully about your preferred setting (moderate-to-high confidence). (3) Plan for the possibility of part-time work initially, with most graduates moving to full-time work within two years (moderate confidence). Universities should improve career preparation programs to help students navigate this transition period

This research is most relevant to: dietetics students and recent graduates planning their careers; dietetics educators designing curriculum and career support; and universities evaluating their graduate outcomes. It’s less directly relevant to people in other healthcare fields, though some lessons may apply. The findings are specific to Australia, so international applicability may vary

Based on this study, expect a realistic timeline of: 0-6 months (job searching and temporary positions), 6-12 months (the most vulnerable period, with most in temporary work), and 12-24 months (gradual transition to full-time and permanent positions). Most graduates had stable employment by the two-year mark, but this represents the average—individual experiences will vary

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track employment status monthly including: job title, employment type (temporary/permanent), hours per week, work setting (hospital/private practice/other), and job satisfaction rating (1-10). This creates a personal employment timeline to monitor progress toward full-time permanent work
  • Set a goal to apply to 2-3 positions per week during the job search phase, and schedule monthly check-ins to assess whether current role matches your preferred work setting. If not, identify specific steps to transition toward your preferred sector within the next 6 months
  • Create a 24-month employment journey tracker that records: job applications submitted, interviews completed, offers received, and current employment status. Review quarterly to identify patterns and adjust job search strategy if needed. This mirrors the study’s timeframe and helps users understand their progress relative to the typical graduate timeline

This research describes employment outcomes for dietitian graduates from one Australian university and may not apply to all dietetics programs, countries, or time periods. Employment outcomes can vary based on location, economic conditions, individual qualifications, and personal circumstances. This study does not provide medical or career advice. If you’re a dietetics student or graduate, consult with your university’s career services, mentors, and professional organizations for personalized guidance. This information is educational only and should not replace professional career counseling