What Does “Play” Have to Do with a Dietetic Internship?

Draining. Overwhelming. Intimidating. Intense. Busy. Challenging.

If you know anything about dietetic internships, these are probably among the words you conjure up first when thinking about what your year in the program will be like. And if I’m being honest, you wouldn’t be wrong.

This is one of the many reasons I’ve been so gratified to read and discuss Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are with my interns both of the past two years. There are many important lessons to be learned (or at least revisited) in this book, and the interns and I dive deep into many of them. It is my great delight to watch our interns engaged in “Cultivating Play” (part of Dr. Brown’s Guidepost #7) throughout their year at the Cal Poly Dietetic Internship.

The internship year is hard. It requires powerful dedication, focus, and grit. But it is also intended to be a joyful and exuberant experience. While the primary purpose of the internship is your professional growth, it is also a time to make connections, discover new things about yourself, and enjoy the unique position you’re in – somewhere between student and practitioner. Especially if you’re completing your internship in a location as saturated with beauty and adventure as we are here in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, you will hopefully make time to explore your new community and reap the benefits of all is has to offer.

Our current cohort is fewer than 3 weeks into our program year, but they’ve already found many opportunities to connect, be silly, and play.

I hope that all interns (in this program or any other) always remember that if you want to bring your best self (and your best work) to your internship commitments, your mind and body need opportunities for rest, relaxation, and fun!