From Intern to Supporting Preceptor in Less than a Year!

When Cal Poly intern Lauren Thomas started her first rotation at San Luis Coastal Unified School District (SLCUSD), she had no idea she would develop such a passion for school foodservice. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University, Lauren pursued a non-traditional route to obtaining entry to the field of dietetics. She moved from California to Rhode Island to obtain a B.S. in Culinary Nutrition then returned to California for the Cal Poly SLO Dietetic Internship.

At SLCUSD, Lauren used her culinary knowledge and skills to develop healthy, delicious recipes such as Thai basil lentil burgers. Lauren returned to support SLCUSD students in March when the pandemic caused school closure. She worked alongside Food and Nutrition Services Director and Preceptor, Erin Primer, to combat food insecurity. After passing the test to become a Registered Dietitian (RD), Lauren was hired at SLCUSD as the Dietetic Intern Coordinator and Recipe Development/Culinary Support.

Caption1: Lauren Thomas, RD, Dietetic Intern Coordinator, and Recipe Development/Culinary Support at San Luis Coastal Unified School District.

When I did my rotation at SLCUSD, I was amazed by Lauren’s culinary ideas. For instance, she added chia seeds to the strawberry jam prepared on site so that the sunflower butter and jelly sandwiches would have extra protein and fiber. She also used this strawberry jam to prepare a balsamic salad dressing. Lauren experiments with food to find ways to make vegetables more fun for the kids. She adapts recipes and plans based on what supplies are available. Watching her in the kitchen, inspires me consider a career in foodservice management.

Lauren is warm and helpful when interacting with children and parents. It is clear that she cares for her community and is striving to meet their needs. During the weekly meal-kit pickup, she is able to balance both interacting with families and managing the work in the kitchen.

Caption2: Lauren poses with vegetables from the school garden that will be given to families when they pick up their meal kits.

Lauren’s career goal is to become a food services director. Her mission: “All students deserve healthy delicious meals. Period.” Lauren is grateful for how the Cal Poly internship provided her the experiences she wanted. Lauren values the previous director, Kati Fosselius, as a mentor for both career and life advice.

Lauren recommends that dietetic interns stay in touch with both their preceptors and their intern class. They should seek out fields or special practices that they have an interest in. Lastly, they should find a mentor who will provide the leadership advice they need.

I am fortunate in that I did not just have Lauren as a supporting preceptor, but I also have her as a mentor. I have been able to text, call, email, and even meet up in-person for advice since we began rotations in September. Lauren is easy to talk to and encourages me and the other interns to take initiative. She has reminded me that not every day will be a great day, but that every experience gives me a chance to grow as a person and as a future RD.

Caption 3: Lauren Thomas, Carisa Hilton, and I tour Cal Poly Creamery.