Tips, Tricks, and Takeaways by Mandy Edwards

It’s hard to believe that we are at the half-way point of this dietetic internship. I really do feel like it was just yesterday that I was moving into my house in Santa Barbara, just a few days before orientation started. I remember my nerves going into the first week, excited but so worried I was not going to be good enough. Flash forward five months I have officially completed my foodservice management rotation and two amazing community rotations. My nerves are still present, but I am only getting more and more confident day by day.

This internship really has the capability of teaching you something all the time. I'm serious! I am constantly learning. Although I still have so much to learn, I have come across some integral things during my internship that I think future interns may benefit from.

1. Stay strong!: Sometimes life can get hard.

And, I’m not just talking about hard assignments or a long day at a rotation. Personally, my internship journey started off rocky - I won’t sugar coat it. (It was 2020 wasn’t it?) I had a few family members that had to be hospitalized (they are okay now), I was in a car accident the second day I moved here, and I lost my childhood dog due to old age. To be honest these events made it really hard for me to show up at my 100% each day to the internship. However, the amazing rotations, experiences, and people that I have met throughout this internship reconfirmed my passion for dietetics and my future as an RD more than ever. To the future interns: Some moments in the internship will be harder than others, but you are stronger than you think, and the support you will receive from your fellow interns and director will help you no matter what comes your way.

2. Be positive.

During all of my end-of-rotation evaluations, one of the top strengths that my preceptor identified was spirit and positivity. Going through this internship, you may be exposed to many different situations, so it’s important to stay positive throughout whatever transition may happen. As one of my favorite quotes from Maya Angelou says, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

3. Come prepared for each rotation.

There are many things out of our control as interns, however, one thing we can control is how prepared we are for our rotations. Definitely go into each rotation with an understanding of what the rotation entails, the assignments you will need to complete while being there, and what tasks you need to accomplish. Do not expect your preceptor to have this information. Also, be on time!! That’s one of the best ways to start off on a good foot with your preceptor.

4. Be flexible and act like a sponge.

I am sure you have heard to be flexible on every internship tip sheet. That's because it’s probably one of the most important qualities that an intern can possess, especially during a pandemic.

You will also learn so much throughout this internship. “Be like a sponge” and try to absorb as much information as you can, even if you think it is not applicable for your future career. Don’t write things off too early. You may actually need that information later on in the rotation or in future experience.

5. Don’t be afraid to fail.

You are going to do absolutely amazing in your internship. However, NO ONE is perfect.

Sometimes you may feel like you are failing or not doing well. These are the moments that will ultimately help you grow professionally and personally.

6. Keep an open mind.

You will receive feedback that, at times, may seem harsh or negative. Just know that there is a reason why your preceptor went into precepting; because they want to help future RDs like yourself. As one of my preceptors just told me, “My constructive criticism is not meant to break you down, but to build you up.” The more feedback you receive, the more opportunities you get for you to become the best dietetic professional that you can be! Do not be afraid to give preceptors feedback as well. If any issues arise, you both can talk about it to come up with a solution that works for the both of you.

Every rotation is SO different and is different for each intern. Different interns may go through the same rotations, but each rotation may be a different experience than what you may go through. Ask interns what their experience was, but do not let it cloud your judgment while entering a rotation.

7. Reflect on each rotation.

I found that taking a moment on the weekend after each rotation, (sometimes weekly), to reflect on the experience while it is still fresh in my mind really helped me. I thought about the things that went really well, things that didn’t go so well, things that I have learned, and any other takeaways that I had from the rotation. This helped me adjust things that needed improvement before I go into my next rotation.

Reflecting on a rotation can also be very beneficial for future job interviews. If you keep a log of your significant projects, (sustainability, wellness, research presentations, etc.), they can become excellent talking points during an interview and show your future employer some of the skills you can bring to the table.

8. Have fun!

Remember that you have worked so hard to get to where you are today, so embrace each new opportunity and challenge that comes your way. It is a great path that you are about to be

on. Don't let yourself get too overwhelmed, but if you do, that’s okay because things will always get better. Make sure to connect with the other interns and do things that aren't solely for the internship (Hello beach/hike!). All the interns are going through fairly similar experiences. Do not ever think you are alone in all of this!

Dietetic internships can be challenging. But, this internship has already proven to be some of the most rewarding months of my life. Your dietetic internship is a year(ish) that will help set the stage for the rest of your career and will be a collection of experiences that you will remember forever. You get to work with a handful of resilient and intelligent RD's, (and other individuals), that you may have never been able to meet before this experience. I know applications for DICAS are coming to a close. No matter if you are matched right away or not, you will be an amazing dietetic intern. If you do get matched, CONGRATULATIONS! And if you’re coming to Cal Poly for your dietetic internship, I certainly hope to meet you and perhaps give you more tips coming from an intern about to graduate!