dietetic internship

  • How Strong Relationships with My Professors Got Me an Internship… After Match Day

    Check out Dianna Sinni’s advice on the importance of maintaining good relationships with professors and how they can affect the trajectory of your career!

    By Dianna Sinni, RD, LD

    I’ll be honest- I’m a Registered Dietitian who didn’t get matched. I logged into DICAS like every dietetic intern out there, anxiously awaiting to see my match. I felt confident, I had progressed in two phone interviews for two programs, and my personal statement was really well written. I remember my boyfriend was seated next to me on our couch, but he kept getting bored with the waiting game – DICAS was temporarily down due to the high volume of log-ins, no doubt attributed to Match Day.

    A few hours later, it happened – I logged in successfully…but only to see the horrible regrets memo.

    There were tears. A lot of them. But as much as I wanted to crawl into my bed and sob, what good would it really do me? Wallowing in self-pity and sorrow wouldn’t get me into an internship – only I could. And it was too important to me to waste any time.

    You might be wondering: how exactly did she get an internship and become a RD if there was no match?

    Within an hour or two after realizing I hadn’t matched, I IMMEDIATELY (immediacy, of high importance here!) emailed my undergraduate professors (the two who had written my DI recommendations as well) from Keene State College. I was already a few years out from undergrad, but had always kept in contact with my advisor and another professor during those two years post-graduation. This would prove to be the biggest asset to my dietetic internship journey.

    They were both shocked that I hadn’t matched (definitely a confidence booster after the initial sting of not matching) and immediately sent email after email of open intern spots for various programs across the country. There was hope!

    As a prospective dietetic intern, I had no idea that DI program directors connect with each other surrounding match day – something that turned out to be in my favor. I received at least 5 emails from my undergraduate professors of DI and ISSP programs that didn’t match to full capacity and were looking for well recommended interns.

    You might be wondering: so, why didn’t you wait until 2nd rounds?

    Sure, I could have waited a month or so until DICAS reopened and new matches were made with remaining applicants…but why would I want to wait? I took matters into my own hands – I cold-emailed at least 5 DI Program Directors with intern spots available. They sent over their program information and I had two phone interviews for two programs I was strongly considering; all within the 24-48 hours after Match Day.

    In less than 72 hours after not being matched, I was a fully enrolled Dietetic Intern at Sage College’s distance dietetic program. There were some formalities to complete, but I was in! While it wasn’t Plan A, it was the BEST Plan B I could have ever had. My experience was amazing and I am forever grateful for the support of my undergraduate professors. They believed in me because I believed in myself. They knew I was motivated and driven, and in turn were willing to put themselves out there to help me achieve my dream.

    So what does this mean for you?

    It’s never too late to start fostering relationships with your undergraduate professor and advisors. They aren’t just your teacher for a few semesters or the ones who write a DI recommendation letter – they’re the RD’s who can actively help make your dreams of becoming a RD reality and will continue to think of you throughout your career. Here’s a few tips to get started:

    1. Take advantage of office time (but don’t be annoying).

    Stop in to say hello and show serious interest in their classes. They have an immense wealth of knowledge and experience that you can tap into and learn from.

    2. Over summer break or after graduation, stay in touch via email or phone quarterly.

    Let them know what you’ve been up to in the dietetic world or new things you’ve been hearing about in the field.

    While I can’t guarantee you’ll get a DI just by cultivating a great relationship with your professors, I can – with confidence and through experience – say it is such an invaluable asset to your career path.

    Connect with Dianna Sinni here:

    PS. Click here to take your application to the next level with free resources and exclusive advice from Jenny!

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  • 8 Tweets Accurately Describing a Dietetics Major life

    Not everyone understands what it is like to be a dietetics student, but these fellow students tweets accurately describe the life of a dietetics major.

    We’re not sure what we enjoy more studying dietetics or reading tweets about the life of studying dietetics! We have complied a list of some of the best Tweet descriptions of what it is like to be an #RD2BE!

    1. The only way to write a scientific journal article is with cookies!

    2. I think we can all agree, we love eating food and talking about food!

    3. Oh, the memories! Shout out to all the #RD2BE’s in their DI’s!

    4. We do it for the tacos.

    5. If we had a dollar for every tear we shed we could afford the dietetic internship!

    crying as a dietetics major

    6. Precisely and spell, “DieTITian”.

    dietitian dietetics major

    7. But seriously, does Betty Crocker even know this much about muffins?

    muffins dietetics major

    8. Mind yo business Aunt Betty, mind yo business!!

    dietetics major

    In all seriousness, our major is HARD! It’s comforting knowing other students share the same trials and tribulations as you. Know that we are proud are you! Keep the hysterical and accurate tweets coming! We love em’!

    Check out some life tips for surviving as a dietetics student!

    PS. Have these tweets inspired you to become a Dietitian? Check out the Academy’s resources for becoming a Dietitian!

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  • The Perfect Thank You for Your Dietetic Mentor

    Searching for the perfect way to say thank you to the Dietitian in your life? We’ve created the ultimate list of thank you gifts for your Dietetic Mentor!

    As the school year comes to an end and the reality of your Dietetic Internship match sets in, you may be wondering, how can I express my gratitude to the Dietitian who helped me succeed? It can be intimidating trying to think of the BEST way to thank the Dietitian who inspired you and helped shape you into an #RD2BE. Do I need to buy a gift? How much should I spend on it? Is it too much or too little? Will they like it? These questions may be racing through your head. But, the key to having the perfect thank you is to be thoughtful.

    You should genuinely express how grateful you are. Don’t be afraid to get creative! Have fun with it!

    Starting with the note, you can make a homemade card or purchase a food-related card. Write from the heart, be honest and authentic! Try to describe the impactful experiences you shared with them! Get personal, your mentor knows YOU, and you know THEM. Remember, this Dietitian helped your dreams come true!

    Click here to learn how to write the PERFECT thank you note!

    Try to match the card to the Dietitian’s personality or likes! 

    • Do they love Bananas? 

    Thanks a bunch!

    • Are they a sushi fanatic?

    Thank you SOY much!

    • Is brunch their favorite meal?

    Thanks a brunch

    For additional fun foodie cards check out these sites!

    The next component of the perfect thank you for your Dietetic Mentor includes the actual gift!

    First and foremost, you are NOT obligated to give a gift to your mentor. We know the expenses ADD up quite a bit for #RD2BE’s. A thoughtful thank-you note is MORE than enough; your mentor will be more than happy with a card. However, if you do wish to go the extra mile and purchase a gift, we’ve got you covered!

    • Mugs are a great choice; we all know RD’s and #RD2BE’s run on caffeine.

    Special dietitian

    • A thank you for your thyme plant is a clever and thoughtful gift.

    Thank you for your thyme

    • For the plant lover with a killer sense of humor purchase a succulent and write thank you for not succulenting the life out of me or life would suc without you.

    succulent

    • Are they in need of a custom name sign with their favorite veggie?

    Desk sign

    • Do they need new wall decor that expresses how great they are?

    Truly a great dietitian

    • A sign to hang above their door, so everyone else in the office knows this is the Dietitians, not Dieticians office.
    •  

    Dietitian not Dietician

    • You cannot go wrong with the food; we all love snacks and sweets! If you want to test out those food science skills, make something homemade. If the Betty Crocker life isn’t for you, don’t be afraid to grab some cookies off the shelf. We’ve all passed off Tollhouse cookies as our “own” before!
    •  

    sweet treats

    For additional ideas, check out our amazon store!

    Overall, the possibilities are endless for gift giving! Remember to be thoughtful and express your gratitude! No matter what you give your mentor, they will be happy to have been a part of your success. You’ve got this!

    PS. If you are studying for the RD exam check out the Exam Toolkit here!

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