Sophie Beattie
Meet Sophie Beattie BSc (Hons) Dietetics who graduated in 2024 and currently working as Specialist Dietitian at Cambridge University Hospital
| Current job | Specialist Dietitian - Head & Neck Oncology Dept Nutrition and Dietetics |
|---|---|
| Year of graduation | 2023 |
| Course of study | BSc Dietetics |
Why Dietetics?
Sophie chose to study BSc (Hons) Dietetics as she was inspired by personal experience and a mission for clarity. Growing up with a father who has type 1 diabetes, she was fascinated by how differently his body reacted to food. The overwhelming nutrition misinformation online inspired a desire in Sophie to separate fact from fiction. She says, ‘Nutrition and dietetics is a topic that can spark a lot of conversation and differing opinions.’ Now, with a degree in hand, Sophie has a simple philosophy: keep your opinions to yourself and let science do the talking!
Since graduating
Sophie has built a career within the NHS, starting as a Band 5 dietitian at a major trauma centre in the East of England. This role offered invaluable experience in supporting patients transitioning from critical care to rehabilitation, often working with brain injury patients requiring enteral (tube) feeding.
However, whilst on placement during her course at Herts, Sophie discovered her true passion – supporting cancer patients. When an oncology role in head and neck care opened, she seized the opportunity and is now focusing on helping patients facing challenges in eating and drinking due to treatments like surgery or radiotherapy. ‘No two days are the same in my current role and I love the patients I get to see.’
Alongside her clinical work, she has taken on the role of Secretary for the British Dietetic Association East of England branch, hoping to enhance support networks for dietitians in the region.
Advice for future students
‘I think dietetics is fantastic for anyone who is a foodie and has a medical/science mind..’
’Once you start university, enjoy it. The time flies by and before you know it, it's graduation day! Have debates in lectures if the opportunity arises, they’re useful but remember to pull apart the opinions from the facts.’
‘If was to do my time again I’d throw myself into more opportunities, offer to volunteer for anything and everything, and get in the library early whilst it's quiet!’