Dietetic Internship Survival Tips
The dietetic internship is a period in our lives that prepares us for our future careers, and I cannot stress enough how much we learn and experience during this time. Of course, experience is the best teacher and there are some things we need to experience before we completely understand them. But it is always wise to know what to expect by learning from the experiences of others.
With this blog post, I want to share some of my thoughts and insights so that you can survive your internship and make the most out of it.
Tips for Future Interns
1. Treat your internship as a trial job experience: This is the best time for you to understand your strengths and weaknesses. The internship will truly help you figure out what it is you want to do with that degree. I am in my 3rd rotation and the start of every rotation feels like entering a new job and meeting new people and having new experiences. Isn’t it great that we get to experience a job scenario without the commitment? I feel like it is a great opportunity to understand what we truly love in this field. I completed my clinical rotation and loved it and currently am in my community rotation. I am waiting for my foodservice rotation to finally decide where I want to navigate after the internship is over.
2. The real learning is just beginning: Whatever we learned in the classroom setting is great, but to actually apply it is just fantastic. The dietetic internship helps us apply all that we learned in the real-world setting by placing us in rotations and our directors work very hard to help us get varied experiences. Make the most of it! I referred to my notes and textbooks from my MNT class whenever I was stuck in my clinical rotation and reading them with my new-found practical knowledge is amazing.
3. Find something you love in every rotation: Every rotation will be different – clinical will be completely different from community. There will be rotations that you will like more than others…but try to find something that you enjoy. Staying optimistic on difficult days can be hard but learn the art of finding the good in the not-so-good. Every experience is preparing you for the future.
4. Network and make connections: I cannot stress this enough, but networking is the key – the key to being a successful intern. I myself am an introvert and every inch of me dreads having to initiate a conversation with a stranger but making connections and getting to know your colleagues and supervisors will help you in both professional and personal ways – from getting a job to making friends for a lifetime. When I was applying to the dietetic internship, I went to the Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) all by myself and made sure I went to the student fair. That is where I met Kati, my program director here at Cal Poly and as soon as I met her, I knew I wanted to apply here. Even during the interview, she remembered me. So, just getting yourself out and talking to people will help you in various ways.
Don’t lose your mind: There will be days you will feel down and burned out. The internship can be stressful with many highs and lows. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you were chosen to be in this internship for a reason – someone believes that you can do this. Just take one day at a time and don’t let the bad days take away the joy of the internship experience. Find something that helps you destress. I recently joined a weekend dance class along with my husband to help me dance my stress away!
5. Have fun: As crazy as this may sound, the internship is temporary, and time will fly. I cannot believe it’s been over 4 months since my internship started (feels like yesterday). Take time to know your fellow interns and be supportive of them. If you moved to a new place for this internship, take time to explore it, go to a new restaurant or the new park nearby. Keep in touch with friends and family who believe in you and are always there for you. I promise the internship year will be worthwhile, successful, fulfilling and fun – all at the same time. ![endif]--
