- Can you tell me about your undergraduate/graduate program in dietetics? What made you choose this field of study?
I am enrolled at Keiser University in Lakeland, Fl. and in my first year of the program. This program is accelerated and includes coordinated, supervised practice. This program is convenient for me because I have a family, and I don’t have to look for an internship after graduation because it’s all included.
I chose this field of study because I have always been interested in helping others. After I transitioned from the military, I decided this was the time to start my studies in this field. I started researching Keiser University in 2014 while on active duty but couldn’t officially attend until 2022. I have a background in clinical laboratory science, and I wanted to change my career.
- What were some of the most valuable courses you took during your program, and how did they contribute to your understanding of nutrition and dietetics?
The most valuable courses I have taken were Advanced Nutrition, Food and Culture, Medical Nutrition Therapy I, and Nutrition Counseling Skills and Communication. All the classes are helpful, but these classes laid the foundation for the classes I will be taking. There is much information to learn, but all the lessons build on each other to better assist the students in understanding the concepts.
- Did you have any specific research or internship opportunities related to nutrition during your studies? If so, can you share a memorable experience or project you worked on?
I haven’t had any research or internship opportunities to date. I am new to this field, and school is my first exposure to nutrition and dietetics. I was a Medical Technician for 14 years in the military, I received my BS in Clinical Laboratory Sciences in 2021, and in 2022 I was finally able to attend Keiser University due to my family moving to Florida, so here I am.
- Have you been involved in any volunteer work related to nutrition or dietetics? How has that experience influenced your career aspirations or understanding of the field?
I have not been involved in any work related to nutrition or dietetics.
- Can you share a challenging situation you encountered in your academic or work experience related to nutrition? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from it?
A challenging situation I have encountered in my academic experience that was nutrition related was trying to memorize all the reference ranges we had to learn. I overcame this hurdle by making index cards. I realized I don’t have to know everything, but making index cards or having a reference notebook on information I struggled to refer to in the future is essential.
- What are some of the critical skills you have developed throughout your educational and professional journey in nutrition? How do you believe these skills will benefit you in your future career?
Some critical skills I have developed throughout my nutrition education include public speaking, patient interviews, and documenting patient encounters. The responsibilities of an RDN are utterly different from my days in the laboratory. The culture is entirely different. These skills will benefit me in the future by assisting me to better communicate with my future clients and peers.