Professional Portfolio: Personal Summary, Communication Skills, Professionalism, Key Achievements and Skills

This professional portfolio showcases personal summary, communication skills, professionalism, and key achievements and skills of a sports and exercise nutritionist. It includes evidence of good communication skills, effective team work, and non-judgemental attitude. The portfolio also highlights the memberships and registrations of the nutritionist in various associations and organizations.

PROFESSIONAL
PORTFOLIO

Table of Contents
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Personal summary........................................................................................................................3
Evidence of good communication skill.......................................................................................3
Professionalism............................................................................................................................5
Examples of key achievements and skills...................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

MAIN BODY
Personal summary
Since a very young age I have enjoyed or feel connected being active and participated in
various types of sports/ teams like Arsenal ladies youth FC, England U18s women's cricket and
Saracens youth Rugby (Ali and et.al., 2021). However, I have realized that my passion is always
inclined towards tennis. It is because, tennis has been played by me since the age of 7 until the
age of 19. Moreover, during the age of 7 to 19 I have taken first-hand experience of importance
of exercise and healthy or nutrition diet to general health. Moreover, it has also analysed the
impact of good diet on the sports performance.
As I love to play sports and fitness so it has been decided to complete a BSc in sports and
exercise from university of Hertfordshire. Further, at university of Hertfordshire, I was awarded
with the first class honours. During this period, I have developed a interest for exercise and
sports nutrition. Due to this, I have applied for MSc in sports and exercise nutrition where I am
currently pursing MSc at University of Westminster. Further, my future goal is to complete MSc
with distinction marks. In addition to this, I want to become a registered sports nutritionist in
order to work with athletics (Cardenas and Fuchs-Tarlovsky, 2018). I also want to pursue a
career as a researcher in sports nutritionist.
Moreover, as I have a interest in this field which helps me to think beyond the satisfying
level. I have joined different programmes to update my knowledge in the field of sports and
research. In addition to this, different type memberships programme helps me to get access of
conference meeting, workshop, webinars and other knowledge enhance programmes. I am
always looked forward to address the client's problem with updated scientific solution.
Moreover, I am also using some ethical practices in order to make client comfortable to share
their problems without any obstacles. Likewise, I have also acquired different skills and
knowledge to make my knowledge updated (Cheng, 2017). Further, I am passionate to pursue
sports nutrition or researcher as my career, trying to make networks with the highly experienced
person in order to get deep knowledge in this field.
Evidence of good communication skill
Communication skills are the most important skill. sports nutritionists which have
effective communication skill can influence their clients. If dietitian will have good conversation
with their clients than there is highly probability that clients will follow their food plan properly.

It is required to change the way of communication or the style of communication on the basis of
age and on the level of education. Sports nutritionists should not have follow same
communication style with everyone. It is not necessary that every client will get influenced with
same communication style (Cheng, 2018). Age and education plays vital role in changing
communication style. With the client whose age is more, nutritionist should use soft
communication skill. You cannot talk rudely to the senior most person and also if dietitian talk
rudely with them then they will not properly follow the food plan given by them and hence goals
will not get achieved. Likewise, with young generation who is not following diet plan properly,
nutritionist can be strict with them. Often young age people take diet plan lightly and does not
follow as what is asked by their dietitian. Education level also plays important role in
communication.
Client whose is highly educated, nutritionist can communicate with him or her by using
various medical terms also. But those clients who is not that much educated will not understand
any medical term used by dietitian. When dietitian takes session they can use posters, images,
PPT etc. In order to make sessions more attractive and impressive (García-Sánchez, Amor-
Esteban and Galindo-Álvarez, 2020). It is obvious that when session consists of pictures and
ideas then information gets delivered to wide extent. Visual communication is the best
communication strategy because when sports nutritionists explains their client with the help of
presentation which consists of videos and pictures then they will understand easily. Dietitian also
takes training in which they guide about food safety and hygiene related practice which should
be enforced in the life. As a dietitian my role is to motivate or encourage my clients. It is not
easy to follow food plan so that is why it is very important to motivate clients. Motivation can be
provided to them by giving them various food recipes which is easy to make and turn out tasty as
well. Nutritional questionnaire can be also provided to the client to check their nutrition
knowledge. It is required for the client to have proper nutrition information because that will be
helpful for them in the future. When dietitian is consulting with seniors then it is important to
know the reason behind consultation which can be diseases, disorder, eating behaviour etc. they
should have asked about their family background and disease history if they are having. It is also
important to know their eating habits before making diet plan for them. Eating habit has to be
change for the purpose of weight management (Kårlund and et.al., 2019). As sportsperson have
to put attention on managing weight in order to play sport. The objective of the nutritionist is to

inspire and provide knowledge to the clients in regards of nutrition in order to promote wellbeing
so that healthy goals can be achieved.
As a dietitian I feel that it is important to listen to the problems which is faced by client
and also burst their wrong beliefs about diet in easy language. sports nutritionists can use images
and graphs to explain food plan to their client. Diet plan should be more than one so that client
can be chosen within. There is high possibility that client can reject food plan which is made by
their dietitian (Kárpáti, 2017). Rejection of food plan can have various reasons which can be
allergic to some food items, not liking specific food item etc. nutrition goals can be short term or
long term. Dietitian can organize food workshops to create awareness among people. Workshop
will consist food plan regarding information like how to follow it properly so that health related
objectives can be achieved. Food portion guidelines are also provided in it.
When dealing with children or teenager, dietitian should have change their
communication style. While communicating with teenagers, nutritionists has to be friendly with
them. By maintaining friendly nature with the client who is teenager will be helpful in achieving
goal. Before consulting teenager, it is important to know their daily routine, culture, eating habits
etc. dietitian will definitely change the eating habit of children. It is not easy to convince children
so that is why nutritionists have to motivate them so that they follow the diet plan. As a dietitian
it is necessary to carefully listen to what your client and their parents are saying without
interrupting. Communication is the important factor and it changes with the change in age. With
the same communication style, it is not possible to deal with seniors and children both in
effective manner (Lupo, 2018). When making food plan for the children it is important to add
little bit junk also. Although junk food is unhealthy but if it is consumed on regular basis. But
sometimes it can be consumed. Children will not follow food plan if it is boring and contain
tasteless food items. Dietitian can provide interesting food recipes to the parents of the children
which are tasty and healthy and also takes less time while preparing. Effective communication
will only helpful in getting more clients and retaining existing one. It is important that sports
nutritionists should be confident while speaking. He or she should have confidence on the diet
plan which is prepared by them because when they are confident then only they will be able to
influence their clients.

Professionalism
Currently, I am a member of Westminster nutrition society, physiological society and British
tennis, level one coach.
SENr is stands for “sports and exercise nutrition register” is designed to accredit suitably
experiences and qualified individuals who have competency to perform their task autonomously
as a nutritionist (Milton and et.al., 2020). Further, it performs sports and nutritionist with the
athletes and all those who are participating in the physical activity and sports. Moreover, joining
SENr is the most crucial decision for me. It is because, it will not only provide insurance which
is requited for the practices as a researcher and sports nutritionist. It is required to show to the
public, client and employees in order to make sure that I am competent and recognized
nutritional skill set and knowledge base (Mohr and Shelton, 2017). As a member, it will also
provide access to specialist group like the British dietetic association, training and educational
courses which help to keep update with the latest research in sports and exercise nutrition.
ISSN provide a membership to all those people who have passed its exam. After that it
provides an opportunity to get access the information which are based on science and sports. It is
planning to take CISSN exam at the end of MSC career (degree). By passing this exam, it will
make me eligible to become a professional member of ISSN which is the world of leading
provider of science based supplement information and sports nutrition. Being a member, it will
allow to go for attaining annual meetings and conferences. Moreover, it will also provide access
to get material of past conference meeting which will contribute to enhance their learnings and
professional development in field of sports (Moreira and et.al., 2019). As a goal of pursuing
career in the field of sports nutrition research it will help to meet certain criteria of research
based nutritional knowledge. Moreover, it also allows to make strong networks with the best
sports researcher and nutritionists across the globe. Further, I can enhance my knowledge and
skills with the help of ISSN membership. It also helps me to address high number of customer
base by creating competent image in the market.
AfN, it is being planned to register as an associate Nutritionist on the completion of MSC
degree. It is because, after 3 years it will provide an opportunity to get enough relevant
experience in order to apply to become a graduate nutritionist. Being a passionate to pursue a
career in sports and research, it may not be that route which take straight away. Apart from that,
SENr academic association registration membership is more relevant to take. Being a part of

AfN reflect that a person has competent level of nutrition knowledge. Moreover, after that it is
required to decide should that person go for nutritional consultancy (Peregrin, 2018). It makes
sure to the client that their nutritionist has taken rigorous training in order to achieve their goal.
In addition to this, it will also help to show the potential employer that can meet a certain
standard of professionalism and credibility which is required to enhance employability.
BASES provide a membership in order to increase knowledge in the field of research and
sports. Member of bases can access the meeting, conference in order to make good network to
fulfil desired goal. A career to join bases as a member is beneficial because being a passionate in
sports and researcher it helps to enhance the knowledge in the field of sports. Being a member of
BASES, it gives right to access conference, webinars and workshops which help to enhance the
professional development (Souri and et.al., 2019). Moreover, it also allows to create a nationally
recognition as a sports and exercise scientist which is required in order to apply for research
based job or sports scientist job. In addition to this, it will also provide free and full access to
journal of sport sciences so that it helps to keep up to date with the latest research. Further, it will
add their members to the BASES consultant list which automatically increase the chance of
getting job in sports, exercise research and nutrition role.
PDP
skills strategies resources Time-frame
Decision making skill In order to improve
this skill, consult
expert, set deadlines
Reading books which
is based on motivation
and enhance decision
making.
6 months
Problem solving skill Identifying the
problem and finding
alternative solutions
Solving logic puzzles
and keeping idea
journal
9 months
Time management Getting organised and
reducing time wastage
Using planning tools 7 months
Examples of key achievements and skills
Effective communication skill

It is the most crucial skill which is required in order to treat their client with respect. If
nutritionist has communication skill, then it becomes easily to take out all the problems of the
client and suitable solution. Client share their problems only if there is a well professional
communicator who is treating peacefully and professionally by respecting their thought and
religion (Villa, Gonçalves and Odong, 2017). As I have a waste experience of effective
communication because it is required to communicate with the high range of people such as
amateur, disabled, elderly athletes, public and critical patients etc. Moreover, a good
communication skill includes flexibility of accepting, confident and friendly nature.
Effective team work skill
Effective team work is important to manage their client and employees. With the help of
team, nutritionist can easily find out the solution of every problem and make future goal. As I
have possessed the skill of effective team work because as I have experienced of working with
the different teams, Stevenage borough FC, tennis club, Hatfield swimming club and Letchworth
sports. Further, team work is required in order to attain the goal in the field of sports or nutrition.
Whereas when all the person is going in different direction than it creates a confusion in the
mind of employees or client that will lead to fail to attain desired goal.
Non- judgemental attitude
It is required to have non-judgemental attitude in order to get their client treated
professionally. Further, when nutritionist judges then the client feel uncountable to share their
problems or personal details in order to make proper diet plan (Vinerean, 2017). If client is
uncomfortable while sharing their data, then most probably it may cause of taking wrong
decision. This skill has been gained by working with variety of individual, children, disabled,
elderly and overweight. In addition to this, by taking constant knowledge I am trying to improve
my non-judgemental attitude toward people.
Effective data collection and evaluation skills
It is important to have reliable data through which required information can be generated.
Accurate and reliable source of data helps to attain desired goal of making proper diet plan etc. I
have adopted this skill while pursuing BSc degree. As I have experienced of creating nutritional
assessment and diet plan in order to carried out quantitative data collection, presentation and
evaluation for my research project. Ii is also necessary to be confident while managing

quantitative data. It starts with collecting, analysing and presenting data to that clients whose
data belongs too. Further, find out the solution of desired goal to be achieved.
Excellent time management and organization skill
As it has shown by getting first class BSc honours degree and successfully conducted my
own research on particular project. Further, it requires effective time management and planning.
Moreover, some other skills like experience of using statistical package and programmes of data
analysis like SPSS, meta-soft, diet plan, GasCalc and nuritics (Von Heupt, 2017). In addition to
this, it is required to be competent while applying various laboratory equipment, Douglas bags,
Metalysers and running ergo-meters. Further, it is crucial to have the skill of using Microsoft
excel, power point and publisher. Body composition assessment experience is also play vital role
so that I have applied skinfold calipers, bod-pod, bio electrical impedance etc. Moreover, time
management is also plays important role in order to acquire higher skills within the limited
period.
Achievements
As I feel connected and engaged while performing my work in the field of sports or
nutritionist. Due to this, I am always looking forward to achieve the next level by increasing the
networks with the top nutritionist or researcher in this field. Further, I have achieved many
awarded during my career development journey. Moreover, I have also joined different
programmes and workshops in order to maintain high standard for client, employees. Further,
people or client look at this achievement, feel comfortable that a competent and high
knowledgeable person is treating. Further, these achievements help to encourage or move ahead
in these field (sports or as a researcher) in order to attain desired goal.
I have achieved first class BSc honours in the field of exercise science and sports from
the university of Hertfordshire. Moreover, at the university of Westminster, 1 of 6 persons are
selected to become a part of the Bod-pod assessment programme, and I was one of member who
got selected. Further, at university of Westminster, it has been chosen to be part of Athlete
assessment programme during this period I got a chance to learn and enhance my knowledge. At
the leeds beckett university tennis centre, I was accepted in the tennis coaching scholarship
programme while pursing first year of university. During the first year of me under graduation,
the effect L-carnitine supplementation on the fat oxidation in body for 2 weeks while exercising
and at rest. Further, body composition and its effects on the sports performance was the new

learning achievement. Moreover, I have also enhanced my knowledge in the field of sports and
nutritionist which help to achieve my goal. These achievements help me to build up a high career
growth and make new networks in the field of sports and nutrition science. Moreover, by
working with the top professionals helps me to get high level of knowledge and required skill in
order to go ahead to attain desired result. These achievements help to get the desired job in this
field by making sure their skills and knowledge.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Ali, B.J. and et.al., 2021. Business Communication Strategies: Analysis of Internal
Communication Processes. Ali, BJ, Anwar, G., Gardi, B., Othman, BJ, Aziz, HM, Ahmed,
SA, Hamza, PA, Ismael, NB, Sorguli, S., Sabir, BY (2021). Business Communication
Strategies: Analysis of Internal Communication Processes. Journal of Humanities and
Education Development. 3(3). pp.16-38.
Cardenas, D. and Fuchs-Tarlovsky, V., 2018. Is multi-level marketing of nutrition supplements a
legal and an ethical practice?. Clinical nutrition ESPEN. 25. pp.133-138.
Cheng, E.C., 2017. Managing school-based professional development activities. International
journal of educational management.
Cheng, Y., 2018. How social media is changing crisis communication strategies: Evidence from
the updated literature. Journal of contingencies and crisis management. 26(1). pp.58-68.
García-Sánchez, I.M., Amor-Esteban, V. and Galindo-Álvarez, D., 2020. Communication
Strategies for the 2030 Agenda Commitments: A Multivariate
Approach. Sustainability. 12(24). p.10554.
Kårlund, A. and et.al., 2019. Protein supplements and their relation with nutrition, microbiota
composition and health: is more protein always better for sportspeople?. Nutrients. 11(4).
p.829.
Kárpáti, L., 2017. The use of communication strategies in English language
education. International Journal of Humanities and Social Development Research. 1(2).
pp.5-14.
Lupo, C.V., 2018. Social media marketing strategies in landscape industry small
businesses (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).
Milton, K. and et.al., 2020. Maximising the impact of global and national physical activity
guidelines: the critical role of communication strategies. British Journal of Sports
Medicine. 54(24). pp.1463-1467.
Mohr, S.C. and Shelton, K., 2017. Best practices framework for online faculty professional
development: A Delphi study. Online Learning Journal. 21(4).
Moreira, F.T.L.D.S. and et.al., 2019. Effective communication strategies for managing disruptive
behaviors and promoting patient safety. Revista gaucha de enfermagem. 40.
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Peregrin, T., 2018. Revisions to the Code of Ethics for the Nutrition and Dietetics
Profession. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 118(9). pp.1764-1767.
Souri, A. and et.al., 2019. A systematic review of IoT communication strategies for an efficient
smart environment. Transactions on Emerging Telecommunications Technologies,
p.e3736.
Villa, S., Gonçalves, P. and Odong, T.V., 2017. Understanding the contribution of effective
communication strategies to program performance in humanitarian organizations. Journal
of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
Vinerean, S., 2017. Importance of strategic social media marketing.
Von Heupt, N., 2017. Creating a continuing professional development plan. Training &
Development. 44(6). pp.16-17.
Online
Top 10 Benefits of Social Media in the Digital Era., 2021. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.upgrad.com/blog/benefits-of-social-media/>
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