4 Internship Tips that are Practical for Anything You Do

When I first started my dietetic internship, I did not think that the tips that would make me the most successful would have nothing to do with nutrition. In fact, the 4 tips I have picked up these past 14 weeks are not exclusive to the field of dietetics whatsoever.

Tip 1: Be assertive.

I started my internship with a clinical rotation and immediately felt overwhelmed. Working with actual people and not student-simulations made me doubt my abilities as a professional. I withdrew from my surroundings, instead feeling like a burden to the more experienced individuals around me.

Fortunately, I received an encouraging call from the director of my rotation, Arlene. She reminded me that my acceptance into the program is proof that I belonged, and that I needed to become more assertive. Since then, I have regained my focus, which has helped me learn so much more by stepping out of my comfort zone.

If you know what you want, then do everything you need to get it. If you do not know what you want, then fake it until you do. Show up with a smile, a loving heart, and a curious mind. Throw yourself through every open door until you find what brings you joy. Should a door close on you, know that a nearby window is open.

Figure 1: Stepping outside my comfort zone to deliver nutrition education.

Tip 2: Don’t be a perfectionist.

I’ve always been someone who waits until the last minute to finish something. This is not necessarily an issue of procrastination, but rather a “need” for everything to be perfect. Experiences in school have conditioned students toward a point-based system in which there is one, correct answer. Outside of the classroom, there is hardly ever a “correct” answer, but rather a sliding scale of efficiency versus quality.

For example, I noticed after submitting a Bitmoji classroom (an interactive, digital, classroom for children) that the proportions of a cat were unrealistic. Should this have happened prior to my experiences as an intern, I would have been horrified to have overlooked this. Having gone through the program, I instead asked myself the following: “Will these kids even care?” The cat meows when you click on it. The page is filled with cute activities. Most likely, these kids are probably not going to care and it would be a waste of my time to worry over this when I could be planning for the next activity.

Your time is the most precious currency you own. Perfectionism robs you of the time you could be spending on others or yourself.

Figure 2: A Bitmoji classroom. Pictured from left to right, intern Kelly Six, preceptor Erin Primer, me, intern Carisa Hilton, a monster-sized cat.

Tip 3: Set aside “you-time.”

There is no reason to completely change your schedule or who you are upon starting your internship. If you are a yogi, then make sure to plan time for your morning meditation. If watching Netflix after a long day of work decreases your stress, then plug in those headphones. And for the love of cheese and crackers, if you are a caffeine-drinker, then do not stop drinking coffee now!

You are undergoing a new chapter in your life, and it’s important to practice self-care. Don’t put yourself down if you need to come up for air. You are worthy of any time or help you may need to reach your goals.

Figure 3 Setting time aside for myself to explore Valencia Peak with other interns.

Point 4: Reach out to others (mentors & other interns.)

If you are a prideful person (guilty!), then it may be hard to reach out to others when you are struggling. You might think: ‘It’s just me. I’m the only one having a hard time in this internship.’ In reality, we are all climbing some mountain. Your fellow interns and mentors might have the gear and snacks you need to help you reach the top. In fact, there’s a chance they recently climbed this mountain themselves and know an easier route.

Figure 4 Preparing food for a media shoot with Carisa Hilton. (By the way, she drove me to work for a week when I lost my car keys).

To sum it up, be assertive. Go for what you want and don’t let perfectionism drag you down. Take time to practice self-care and if you need help, reach out!