volunteer

  • 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!

    CONTINUE READING

  • Dietetics Programs, Dietitian Career Advice

    Advice from Dietitians to Future Dietitians

    • Comments Off on Advice from Dietitians to Future Dietitians
    • by

    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!

    CONTINUE READING

  • Productivity, Student Life

    TIPS TO STAY ON YOUR A-GAME THIS SUMMER

    Staying focused during the summer can be challenging as a dietetic student. Use these tips to help you enter the upcoming semester feeling prepared and refreshed.

    OK, the dog days of summer are almost over (trust us, we’re sad too!). For me, summer is a time to explore, have fun with friends, and…prepare for the upcoming school year. Wait. What? Using your summer can help you go from average to a stand-out student. Here are my tips for staying on your A-GAME during those summer months.

    Set up informational interviews with RDs who inspire you.

    Maybe it’s just me, but I love meeting new people (especially in a professional atmosphere) so that I can hear their stories. Everyone has a little gem or piece of wisdom they are willing to share; you just have to ask!

    Do I set these interviews up expecting to earn a job upon completion of my Dietetic Internship? No way! These informal interviews allow you to learn about the wide variety of careers in the nutrition world and help you expand your network of people in the nutrition world.

    So pick up the phone and set a coffee date with an RD that is inspiring to you.

    Volunteer in your community.

    Volunteering is another excellent way to meet other people in the nutrition world, gain experience, and possibly tap into a passion you didn’t even know existed.

    Some volunteer ideas that are fit for foodies are Cooking Matters, local races, and local food banks.

    Rest and relax.

    Yep, I said it…relaxing will help you stay on your A-GAME. During the school year, our brains are preoccupied with studying, working part-time jobs, getting involved in the school’s dietetic association, building our resumes, and the list goes on. According to current research, it’s SO important to give our brains mental downtime, and the summer is the perfect time to do it. Rest is when our brain can absorb and make sense of all of the information it has gathered over time.

    So this is your permission to take a nap, meditate, take a yoga class, or go for a casual walk. It’s good for you!

    Have fun!

    After all, it is summer. Use this as your chance to get creative and do something that you LOVE to do. Train for a race, bake a cake, host a dinner party, hang out with friends, go on vacation, whatever it is that brings you pure joy…do it!

    Let’s hear from you:

    • What is one way you are having fun this summer?
    • How do YOU stay on your A-GAME during the summer?

    PS Are you in yet? Sign up for our newsletter here to receive monthly webinar invitations, free resources, exclusive experience opportunities, and so much more!

    CONTINUE READING

  • Dietetics Programs, Student Life

    A Surefire Recipe to Gain Volunteer Experience

    To stay competitive as a nutrition student you have to get good grades, be involved in extracurriculars, and volunteer like your life depends on it.

    The semester is coming to an end and summer is right around the corner.  As dietetic majors, you know that summer means that there is more time for… volunteering! 

    At times this is a very stressful and time provoking task but this is why you have us to help you through and find and create your best possible experiences that DI directors will gasp at (good gasps!) and put you right at the top of their lists.

    To make this task a little more tolerable, what better way to read about volunteer experiences is there than a recipe.  With just a few ingredients, a dash of determination, and some simple directions, you will be on your way to cookin’ up great volunteer experiences!

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

    Ingredients

    • Leadership skills
    • Confidence
    • Creativity
    • Persistence
    • Enthusiasm

    Not sure where to begin? First, check out local volunteering opportunities near you here. Next, follow the directions below.

    Directions

    1. Ask – Put yourself out there. There are very few people that will turn down someone that wants to work for FREE.  What excites you?  What do you want to learn more about?  Whether it is for 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years, experience is experience, and anything helps, all you have to do is ASK!  If you are uncomfortable at first approaching someone to see if you could volunteer with them, there is nothing wrong with an email.

    Sample Email: 

    To Whom It May Concern,

    My name is __________.  I’m a nutrition major at _____________ and I’m extremely interested in your __________________.  I would love to learn more about ________, and was wondering if I could volunteer for you.  I appreciate your time and patience with this request and I look forward to hearing back from you in the near future.

    Thanks,

    ____________

    2. Ask again – This is where persistence comes in. If you don’t hear from anyone in a week, try a follow-up email.  Still no response?  Stop in in-person!  People are just as busy as you are and may not check their emails often.  They may think that your persistence is an asset to their company and want to know more about you.

    3. Ask for more – Yay, you are volunteering for something that you are passionate about! Now that you’ve learned the ropes of their company/business, ask for more projects.  If you have something in mind that you think will be beneficial, ask your boss for permission.  Lots of people are open to fresh, innovative, and creative ideas, that will help them make more of a positive influence in society.  Go for it!

    Now, enjoy the fruits of your labor.  At times, this may be hard work, but it’s worth it in the end.  Stay positive, always keep a smile on your face, and remember your end goal.

    P.S. Are you applying to your dietetic internship? Join Get Matched Coaching for personalized advice that will help you gain confidence that will bring you one step closer to becoming a dietitian!

    CONTINUE READING