Beverly Ellis - Region 11

Hello fellow interns. My name is Beverly Ellis (previously Beverly Corry) from region 11 in Denver, Colorado. I received my masters in dietetics December 2023 from MSU Denver and started the Sodexo internship in February 2024. Before starting the internship, I worked as a restaurant manager overseeing 40+ people in a shift with 50-hour work weeks. As my internship nears the end, there are many adventures and experiences I feel sharing could help someone else.

This internship will put you to work. And in all the ways we need to truly understand what the field of dietetics really is all about. Sodexo does a phenomenal job at bringing to light several areas we could work in.

My internship started with the Food Service Rotation – my wheelhouse! Even with all my years in the restaurant world, I quickly learned how different (and similar) managing a kitchen in a hospital could be. The management team was exceptional and tailored the experience to meet my skill sets. Next was clinicals. Everything about clinicals was new to me from the computer software to participating in rounds to charting on patients. Every day felt like I ran a marathon but, in the end, I could only be thankful for how much I learned each time I walked in!

After clinicals came the LTC and specialty rotation, Senior Living. The times I spent in the assisted, independent and long-term care facilities were truly my favorite days. My previous thoughts of this population would be that they are sad and lonely and the site would be depressing. However, I was very wrong. Many of the residents were lovely to talk with (many, not all!) and curious about my work. Several were happy to have a chat about what they ate… except if it was bingo time. You’d have to find another time to discuss things with them.
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My biggest take aways and advice for those still working through the hours is as follows:

1. Keep an open mind because you just never know what area of work, you’ll find the most joy in. To my surprise, I LOVE the senior community population!
2. Give yourself some grace. We all have life happen sometimes.
3. Stay organized. Known when your assignments are due. Track which hours/days you were at each place.
4. Communicate! The Sodexo preceptor team is absolutely amazing. If you feel like giving up, you aren’t the first. Open up to your preceptor if things aren’t going well in your life or if you find you are struggling with your work load. Also, you met so many wonderful humans at orientation. Chat with them, too. All Thyme Five truly was the support I needed throughout it all.

 
All in all, the experience is unmatchable. There were times I thought my head might explode or times I thought I wasn’t built for this but now that it’s near the end I can confidently say it has all been worth it!

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