Dietetic Internship Spotlights
Erin Carbajal
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
Eating disorders and/or endurance sports nutrition.
What is the most rewarding part of being an intern?
For me, the most rewarding part is the feeling that yes, this is what I am meant to do. I love the feeling of becoming more competent and settled in the profession.
What is the most challenging part of being an intern?
The most challenging part of the internship is having to wear business casual! On a more serious note, I find it hard to maintain a professional boundary when the preceptor is very bubbly and wants to share their whole life story.
What has been your favorite rotation so far, or what rotation are you most looking forward to?
I surprisingly enjoyed my WIC rotation, probably because my preceptor was so encouraging and a great mentor. I am looking forward to working with Featherstone Nutrition and an eating disorder rotation as my electives later on.
Why did you choose 窪蹋勛圖厙?
Being married and already settled down, I needed something within driving distance. I also immediately felt the support of the program both on the master's and internship side within my very first emails and interactions with the faculty
Abigail El-Richani
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
My main nutrition interest is Sports Nutrition.
What is the most rewarding part of being an intern?
The most rewarding part of being an intern is interacting with all kinds of patients and hearing their stories.
What is the most challenging part of being an intern?
Juggling school, internship, and social life at the same time.
What has been your favorite rotation so far, or what rotation are you most looking forward to?
The rotation I am looking forward to the most is my sports elective rotation. I am excited to learn more about the sports nutrition world.
Why did you choose 窪蹋勛圖厙?
I chose KSU because it is close to home and Emily is a great director/professor who listens to each of her interns. She always wants what is best for her interns and treats the program like a family.
Lillian Groff
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
I am most interested in pediatrics, community, and weight management sectors of nutrition.
What is the most rewarding part of being an intern?
The most rewarding part of being an intern is being able to watch your self grow as an intern and become more experienced at each site. It is also very rewarding being able to learn different aspects of nutrition at various sites.
What is the most challenging part of being an intern?
The most challenging part of being an intern is balancing Masters classes, internship, a part time job, and a social life. At times it can be very overwhelming but keeping a schedule and TO DO list at all times helps to manage all of the responsibilities.
What has been your favorite rotation so far, or what rotation are you most looking forward to?
I am most looking forward to WIC, school nutrition, and clinical rotations.
Why did you choose 窪蹋勛圖厙?
I chose KSU because I completed my undergrad at KSU and knew how amazing and supportive all the professors are. There is never a moment when you are not able to get support from each nutrition faculty. The internship also provides various rotation sites to broaden each intern's learning experience.
Caitlyn Hendershot
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
Im open to all areas of dietetics, but as of now Im most interested in pediatrics, as well as maternal and infant nutrition.
What is the most rewarding part of being an intern?
The most rewarding part of being an intern is being able to apply all the knowledge weve learned in school within a real-life setting. I also love having the opportunity to get exposure and explore so many different areas of dietetics.
What is the most challenging part of being an intern?
The most challenging part of being an intern would be learning how to manage your schedule and balance the workload between school and the internship. Its a completely new experience for each rotation, so getting a hang of the routine can be a challenge at first.
What has been your favorite rotation so far, or what rotation are you most looking forward to?
My favorite so far has been my WIC rotation at the Lake/Geauga County WIC. I am also looking forward to my clinical rotation this summer and getting more experience with that area of dietetics.
Why did you choose 窪蹋勛圖厙?
Even though I loved my undergraduate experience at Bowling Green State University, I wanted to be closer to home and get experience with a different program for my graduate degree. The program here at Kent felt super welcoming and supportive, and I love the environment and community that Kent has to offer.
Briana Horvath
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
Ive been keeping an open mind throughout my rotations, but currently my interests are in clinical, renal, and nutrition education.
What is the most rewarding part of being an intern?
Its rewarding to be able to apply all the knowledge Ive gained in the classroom in a real-life setting. Its also surreal to know that Ive finally made it to the last stage of my journey before becoming a registered dietitian.
What is the most challenging part of being an intern?
One of the biggest challenges in the internship is having to move on after a rotation ends. Its amazing how quickly you become comfortable in new settings and build strong relationships with your preceptors and others in the organization. Before you know it, the rotation is over and its time to start somewhere new.
What has been your favorite rotation so far, or what rotation are you most looking forward to?
Im looking forward to doing a renal rotation because it encompasses both clinical and community aspects of dietetics.
Why did you choose 窪蹋勛圖厙?
My experience during my undergraduate degree at 窪蹋勛圖厙 was a big reason why I chose Kents DI program. The faculty is incredible and their number one priority is their students. Additionally, I was drawn to the leadership concentration. Further developing my leadership skills will benefit me not only in my career, but in all aspects of my life as well.
Grace Maragos
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
Im mainly interested in working with people with food allergies, but I am also interested in outpatient counseling and potentially oncology.
What is the most rewarding part of being an intern?
For me the most rewarding part has been discovering things about myself and what I am capable of that I never would have thought I could do even just a few months ago. I surprise myself nearly every day with how much Ive learned and grown in the short amount of time Ive been in the program!
What is the most challenging part of being an intern?
I think having to transition to different rotations so often is challenging, especially if youre like me and have 3 different rotations in one semester. It can be tough because the shorter rotations go by so quickly, so as soon as you get accustomed and comfortable, its already time to leave.
What has been your favorite rotation so far, or what rotation are you most looking forward to?
Ive only had 2 rotations so far, but I absolutely loved my WIC rotation at Lorain County WIC! Everyone I worked with there was so enjoyable to be around and learn from. Im also looking forward to my elective/special community rotations next fall. Im not 100% sure what I will be doing for those yet, but Im excited for the opportunity to explore different areas of my choosing!
Why did you choose 窪蹋勛圖厙?
I mainly chose KSU because I live around here and knew I wanted to move back home after undergrad. I had also met with Emily not long before match and attended a graduate fair where I spoke with Dr. Caine-Bish. They were both so kind and helpful and took the time to talk about the program in depth and answer all my questions. I figured if they were a representation of how the program is then it must be pretty amazing, and I was right!
Quinn Parker
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
Regulatory and Food Labeling, Food and Nutrition Research and Development, Culinary Menu Development, Community, and Food Science
What is the most rewarding part of being an intern?
Knowing that being an intern is one of the last steps to being done.
What is the most challenging part of being an intern?
Finding a balance between grad work, internship, regular work, and life/family is very difficult.
What has been your favorite rotation so far, or what rotation are you most looking forward to?
I am most looking forward to my elective rotation.
Why did you choose 窪蹋勛圖厙?
I wanted to go somewhere close to home, and I heard that Kent had a really good nutrition program.
Alex Reeves
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
I am interested in food service management, sports nutrition and school nutrition.
What is the most rewarding part of being an intern?
The most rewarding part of being an intern is being able to grow as an individual and a leader as a dietetic professional. With only being one semester into our journey as interns, it has become extremely apparent that there has already been a huge confidence shift in myself and the rest of my internship class too! It is super rewarding to see all our hard work pay off little by little as we continue to grow more and are able to start to use our knowledge to help others around us.
What is the most challenging part of being an intern?
The most challenging part of being an intern is adjusting to being a graduate student, an intern, having a part-time job and just keeping up with life. This program has really put my time management skills to the test so far, but it gets easier day by day!
What has been your favorite rotation so far, or what rotation are you most looking forward to?
My favorite rotation so far was at Akron Childrens Hospital for food service management. I am also looking forward to my school food service rotation and my special community rotation in athletics.
Why did you choose KSU?
KSU was where I finished up my undergrad degree and already had great experience with all of the nutrition faculty! They were a huge reason in continuing my education with KSU. I also really appreciate the leadership aspect to the program as well as the variety in our rotations and being able to experience different sites.
Justin Rutherford
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
Pediatric nutrition, oncology, diabetes education, and clinical nutrition management.
What is the most rewarding part of being an intern?
To be able to track my strength and weaknesses at each rotation through leadership styles. I am able to personally reflect on any areas where I may feel is not my strength, and I can focus on improving these areas at each rotation.
What is the most challenging part of being an intern?
There is a lot of deadline requirements, so time management is challenging to meet all the deadlines on time.
What has been your favorite rotation so far, or what rotation are you most looking forward to?
I have really enjoyed my experience at WIC. My preceptor was so informative and helped me understand what it is like to be a registered dietitian at WIC.
Why did you choose 窪蹋勛圖厙?
I personally chose KSU because I was familiar with all the staff here and wanted to continue learning from them. KSU was a closer campus for me, that offered the exact program I needed to become the future practitioner I am striving to become.
Makenna Sladky
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
School foodservice and sports nutrition but I am keeping an open mind and ready to explore different rotations!
What is the most rewarding part of being an intern?
The most rewarding part of being an intern is constantly getting to learn and meet new people! I like being able to finally connect the dots meaning I get to connect the real world to what I have learned in class (making things that much more eye opening).
What is the most challenging part of being an intern?
The most challenging part is keeping myself from burnout. I like to think that I thrive on a busy schedule but that is not always the case. I focus a lot on time management and giving myself outlets to decompress. I have to remind myself that I am only human a lot!
What has been your favorite rotation so far, or what rotation are you most looking forward to?
I am looking forward to my business, school foodservice, and sports rotation!
Why did you choose 窪蹋勛圖厙?
I loved my time at Kent as an undergraduate student and knew I did not want to leave. Although Kent is a larger school, I like the smaller size of the nutrition program. I know a lot of my peers and professors well (plus they are also so nice)! A bonus is being not too far from home as well!