RD at Every Type!
Not your average Type A RD or RD2be? First of all, do not fear, because trust me you are far from average. Second, this blog post is dedicated to debunking the myths that all RDs are Type A. Throughout my DPD program, I questioned if I was in the right field. I always felt very different from my classmates. I didn’t join too many extra-curricular activities during my undergrad because I felt that I was not the typical RD2Be. Though through this internship, I have learned that there is no typical RD. You are the RD you claim or want to be, whatever that means to you. Society may think RDs are Type A, gym rat, calorie-counting, health-nut people, and deep down I guess I might have thought that too. However, this internship has shown me that we are all different but that doesn’t mean we are any better or worse.
I’ve often heard in talking to other professionals in the field about how all RDs work utilizing their Type A personalities. Most of the time I could not relate. Some common behaviors of a Type A personality include:
Great at multi-tasking
Rigidly organized
Self-driven; feels guilty when relaxing
Ambitious
Assertive
Highly competitive
While these characteristics are neither better or worse to possess compared to a Type B personality, just knowing that there is another way to be a successful RD is important. Some common behaviors of a Type B personality include relaxed, patient, easygoing, flexible, and emotional. You may be an RD who is a bit of both. Whatever type you identify with, just recognize your strengths and work with them. Some individuals work best in a space that is rigid, clear cut, and structured while others thrive in spaces that are casual, organized chaos, and relaxed. Outstanding dietitians come in every type. Find a space in this field that fits you, not one that you need to force yourself to fit into.
Throughout my internship, I’ve met RDs that are Type A, Type B, or a bit of both, however all very successful. Interning with various types of RDs I’ve discovered what type I most identify with and what types are more likely to be found in each sector of the field. It may not come as a surprise, but type A dietitians usually thrive in a clinical setting. In a clinical setting, organization and multitasking are qualities that can contribute to success. A type-A RD may be more comfortable and flourish in a setting that embodies organization, routine, and structure. That doesn’t go to say that all clinical RDs are Type A; I’ve met some amazing type B RDs who are as outstanding but just go about their day differently. On the flip side of that, I have noticed more Type B RDs in settings like community and foodservice management. Type B personalities thrive in settings that are more relaxed and easygoing which is extremely necessary as days may be more spontaneous. My preceptor at a school food district would often say, “day in the life as a sheet pan” meaning that sheet pans are used for so many different tasks and in that same way RDs in these settings are juggling a variety of different duties every day. However, being in this field it may be necessary to hone in on some type A or type B traits as most settings will sometimes call for both.
My favorite author, Morgan Harper Nichols, writes, “Let today be the day you are kind to yourself and focus on believing what is beautiful and true. And this does not mean you ignore your imperfections. It means, in spite of them you believe there is beauty to you.” Many RD2Bes face imposter syndrome with “I don’t know enough,” “I am not ready,” or “I have no idea what I am doing” thoughts that flood our minds. However, as a matter of fact, we are exactly who we need to be, we know enough, we are smart enough, and we have the skills to be successful. We all have different strengths which can be more useful in some settings of the field versus others. It is important to realize that not all RDs are Type A and that there is no mold to creating the perfect RD; we are all different and will all be assets to advancing the nutrition field.