Student Highlights
Luca follows through on his early career aspirations

Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics student, Luca, always had a passion for cooking and chemistry. It was the potential to combine the two, and spread awareness of the importance of human nutrition, that sparked his aspirations.

“I have been wanting to study Nutrition and Dietetics since I was in year 9. Being from an Italian background, my life has revolved around the kitchen. Through high school, I’ve always been intrigued by chemistry. Adding this to my love for food, my curiosity for the science and breakdown of food and the human body has grown immensely, ”said Luca.

Not only did the degree program align with Luca’s interests, but also with his desire to help those in need.

“I had not previously realised just how undereducated the population was in terms of appropriate nutrition, so I took the opportunity to build my skills as an upcoming health professional in hopes of spreading awareness of the importance of nutrition – as well as helping those who are in immediate need of a nutrition intervention, such as patients in hospital,” he said.

Once Luca started studying the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics degree program, he expanded his perspective and learnt the skills required to be successful in his career.

“Learning appropriate communication skills has also been a very important part of this degree, which revolve around respect and informed consent, a growing area of discussion in contemporary Australia.

“I have gathered and begun honing many new skills that I did not previously believe I would be learning prior to studying this degree, including writing medical records in hospital, imitating grant applications for public health nutrition interventions, or interpreting nutrition data from government websites and textbooks,” he said.

Luca has been able to apply these skills in the real world through practical placement.

“These placements have greatly enhanced my study, especially my practice, as it has enabled me to convert the theory I have learned over two years into practice within different areas of health care, from Hunter New England Local Health District to the John Hunter Hospital, where I can see dietitians at work and practice hands-on skills with patients, that I hope to use in my future career as a health professional,” he said.

Now heading into his final year of study, Luca is focused on applying his new knowledge and skills to achieve his career goals.

“My current career goals include finding work, hopefully in the hospital setting, throughout my fourth-year placements, which would include shadowing a dietitian and developing my own dietetic practice for a few years, to then branch out and specialise into my own area of interest.

“This would include research in oncology and its ties with nutrition, whilst working with cancer patients to help manage their diet in relation to their cancer treatment,” he said.

Study a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) at the University of Newcastle

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Luca Sakoff

Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics student, Luca, always had a passion for cooking and chemistry. It was the potential to combine the two, and spread awareness of the importance of human nutrition, that sparked his aspirations.

I have been wanting to study Nutrition and Dietetics since I was in year 9.