nutrition advice

  • Dietetics Programs, How to Become a Dietitian

    Improve Your Resume Over the Summer

    One of the most challenging aspects of becoming an R.D. is getting matched to a dietetic internship. Here are some ideas to add to your resume this summer!

    With the match rate hovering around 50-60% each year, the competition is fierce. Internship directors consider more than just your grades when they are looking at your application. And although each internship has its requirements, students with relevant work and volunteer experience in food service or a nutrition-related field have a higher chance of matching to an apprenticeship.

    Start your journey to a happy Match Day today! Schedule your intro call here.

    So what can you do this summer to improve your resume? Here are some ways you can gain experience.

    Volunteer

    According to a Deloitte study, 82% of hiring managers said they prefer applicants with volunteer experience, and 92% say volunteer activities build leadership skills. The same applies to DI directors. Volunteering your time in an area that you are passionate about shows DI directors that you are self-motivated, dedicated, and responsible.

    There are four broad categories to a dietetic internship: clinical, community, food service, and elective. If the internships you are interested in are clinically focused, volunteer in clinical settings. If they are a community, find community opportunities. But remember that experience can be applicable in many different ways to focus on opportunities that interest you.

    Have you thought about volunteering for the American Diabetes Association? Or the Jimmy Fund? Use VolunteerMatch.org to find other volunteer opportunities that will help your resume stand out.

    Get a Summer Internship

    Spending the summer months at an internship is a great way to get experience. A summer internship can also help you get a better understanding of what you are interested in. Use online websites like internships.com or indeed.com to find available internships. Another great way to find an internship is to network with R.D’s that might need a little help over the summer.

    Earn a Specialty Certification

    Adding a specialty certification to your resume may not only help you get matched but may also help you land a job faster. Certifications confirm your knowledge and skills in a specific area of practice. There are specialty certifications that you can earn over the summer. If you’re passionate about physical fitness, weight management, yoga, or a specialty area in nutrition, research the different certifications that are available. When looking for a certification, you should look for a validated and reliable certification examination and credible organizations.

    Here’s a list of just a few of the specialty certifications out there that would enhance your resume:

    Edit your Resume

    Perhaps you already have a lot of experience or are working this summer; make sure your experiences are communicated well by spending your extra free time editing and revising your resume. If you have a mentor, ask them to look over your resume and provide you with feedback. Would they hire you based on your resume? Would they call you for an interview? Ask them for their honest feedback. You can also use the Get Matched Course or Get Matched Coaching, which offers a resume template, resume strategies, resumes rubrics, resume checklist, and resume samples.

    Getting matched to an internship may seem overwhelming and impossible, but there are many ways of obtaining quality dietetics experiences. Taking the time to build a strong resume as a student will allow you to enter the internship application process with more confidence.

    P.S. Starting early with Get Matched Coaching gives you the advantage of getting advice from your coach on what experience to add before applying! Many of our clients start the summer before the February deadline to get a head start and be as strategic as possible. Check out more information on coaching here!

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  • Dietetics Programs, Dietitian Career Advice

    Advice from Dietitians to Future Dietitians

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    Becoming a Registered Dietitian certainly isn’t easy. We’ve compiled advice from dietitians for nutrition students, dietetic interns, and all future RD’s.

    We all have a clear recollection of why we wanted to get into the nutrition field and become registered dietitians.  Some of those reasons are near and dear to our hearts, and some of those reasons are very simple- we love nutrition!  When on the journey to become a registered dietitian, there are plenty of bumps along the road. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget why we are doing what we are doing.  

    “Why did I decide to volunteer again this week when I have a test tomorrow?”  Why am I taking six classes this semester?”  How is summer almost over when all I did was a volunteer and work?” These are common questions I’ve both asked and heard during my years as a student.

    Since becoming an RD (yay!) in July 2016, I often thought about what I wish I knew along the way to make things a little easier for me.  Honestly, the best advice that I could give would only begin and end with two words: networking and volunteering.  So important.  Not only do these things look amazing on your resume, but they will also help you navigate your way through dietetics with a bit of ease.  

    Networking can lead to you shadowing multiple RDs in different fields, learning about nutrition from another point of view, and making your name known in the dietetics field early.  

    Volunteering will make your resume and your DICAS application look amazing.  I asked one dietetic intern and one dietitian about what they would have liked to know before starting a nutrition career. This is what they had to say.

    “Network as much as possible, take on as many volunteer opportunities as you can, big or small.”

    “If you’re struggling in academics, then definitely seek out a tutor, your professor, or other resources that your University provides for extra help. When trying to get into an internship and meet with the director, whether it’s one-on-one or in a group setting, come prepared with questions.  Don’t forget to update your resume and LinkedIn as you go continually”. – Jess Mirkin, Dietetic Intern at the University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT.

    “Becoming a dietitian is a long road, but it will all be worth it in the end; keep going!”

    The dietetics community is tiny and close-knit. Never burn bridges; you never know who knows your potential internship director or future boss.  Volunteer as much as you can; it’s the best and sometimes the only way to get experience in nutrition as a student. Be persistent; dietitians are super busy and may not respond to questions right away but typically respond well to those who show they are ready to work, learn, and show that they have something to offer.  Being a dietitian can sometimes feel like a thankless job; remember why you started in the first place and how important what you’re doing is”.  – Hailey Beiner, RDN, C-DN.

    The consensus seems to be the same- networking, persistence, volunteering, never feeling like you can’t ask for help, and always remembering why you started this journey.  Never give up, and remember that it’s worth it!

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  • How to Become a Dietitian, Student Life

    Professor Advice to Survive Tough DPD Courses

    Five nutrition and dietetics professors give helpful advice to help you survive challenging DPD courses and get one step closer to becoming a dietitian.

    Everyone knows that studying and hard work are the keys to success. Highlighting your notes, re-reading the chapters over and over, and even making up songs… .we’ve done it all. But what if there was something else that we could do? I picked the brains of professors of notably challenging DPD courses for their secrets to success.

    Study a little bit each day

    Even when you think you know everything, keep going! Over-learning is key to understanding the ins and outs of intricate concepts.

    “It is important to learn to study effectively – one method I used as a student is still considered a useful strategy: over learning. Even when you think you know the material, keep studying – that is, keep reciting the information and keep writing out the information in text form. It will make more and more sense when you do this – you will start seeing the connections better, and understanding will improve.”

    Dr. Carol Johnston, Ph.D., R.D., Director of Nutrition Program and Professor at Arizona State University. Instructor of Advanced Micronutrient Metabolism and Research Methods.

    Go the extra mile

    You can’t expect your teachers to feed you everything you need to know; be sure to do the assigned readings, and don’t be afraid to go beyond your textbook and lecture slides to learn the material.

    “As a student in the DPD classes it is critical you come prepared to class. Professors can’t go over all the information in class, so students need to take ownership of their learning, read the assigned chapters, and do additional research to learn the material. Just showing up for class is not going to be enough to be successful.  I know it is easy to memorize the information for the exam, but learning how to apply the information will better prepare you for your internship.”

    Dr. Sandra Mayol-Kreiser, Ph.D., R.D., CNSC, Clinical Associate Professor at Arizona State University. Instructor of Medical Nutrition Therapy II and Geriatric Nutrition.

    Not the best at test-taking? Start by making your own

    Testing yourself will make you think outside of the box and help you see things from your professor’s perspective.

    “Essentially, I would like to remind students that studying for tough DPD classes should be viewed as a ‘marathon rather than a sprint,’ so instead of cramming a day or two before the exam, try setting aside an hour or so each week to review the content from that week. When studying, try not only to read over your notes but also practice actively engaging in the content by making and answering your practice questions, i.e., “test yourself” before the instructor tests you!”

    Dr. Christy Lespron, Ph.D., R.D., Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Student Affairs at Arizona State University. Instructor of Advanced Micronutrient Metabolism.

    Your professors double as a mentor.

    Your professors aren’t just there to teach you the course. They’re there to help you make connections in the field, get you to your next step, or become a confidant and mentor.

    “Ace your DPD courses.  It would help if you were going for the “A” in these core courses, so make sure you put in the extra time to get the best grade possible.  Also, keep in mind that the professors that teach these core courses may also make outstanding references for you.  Get to know them!”

    Joan Salge Blake, MS, R.D., LDN, Clinical Associate Professor at Boston University. Instructor of Community Nutrition.

    Go above and beyond

    Please talk with your professors, rewrite your notes, but it’s also important to enjoy what you’re learning! Enthusiasm leads to excellence so let your passion fuel your desire to succeed. “DPD courses can be challenging, but with a few essential tips, all students can follow. Here are my suggestions for success:

    •   Study a little bit each day…or at least each week. Never wait until the last minute! Even short 10 minute sessions going through notes make a difference! So put down your cell phone when you have a break and pick up your textbook or notes!
    • One of the most helpful things I did as a student was rewritten my notes in my own words and pictures. My goal was to reduce the number of note pages from class by three-quarters so that I had a smaller stack of notes to study from. It can be overwhelming with a giant pile of letters, so this made me feel better. Creating my version of the notes was a huge help in learning the material because after making this new version, I had a much easier time remembering complex information. I used different color pens too. Color has been shown to improve information retention, so give it a try!
    • Constantly ask yourself “why” when studying. If you keep asking this question when looking, it will force you to dig deeper and understand the information. It also assures that you can apply knowledge to critical thinking questions test day and prepare you well for future dietetics internships.
    • Be brave and talk to your professors. They want to help you, so don’t assume they don’t care or have time to help. A few minutes during office hours can go a long way if you struggle with a complex concept or need help with certain information from class.
    • Revel in the wonders of human metabolism and nutrition. Our bodies are amazing, and due to a unique set of reactions and biochemical products, we see unique complexities which result in various states of health and disease. These differences keep dietitians and nutrition professionals striving to help our families, friends, and communities. Enjoy learning all aspects of nutrition science and let it fuel continued curiosity because this will keep you enjoying what you do and take you further than you ever thought possible“.

    Dr. Corrie Whisner, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Arizona State University. Instructor of Advanced Human Nutrition I and Nutrigenomics.

    P.S. Are you in yet? Join Get Matched Coaching to learn how to land the dietetic internship of your dreams!

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