Erblina Mustafai - Region 4

​Hello everyone,
 
My name is Erblina Mustafai. I am a dietetic intern from New Jersey, currently residing in Jersey City. I began my dietetic internship in February 2024 and am completing my master's degree in clinical nutrition and dietetics at New York University.
 
For my first rotation, I started with clinical nutrition. Initially, I was nervous, as this rotation can be intimidating, but I felt at home from day one. I was warmly welcomed by a team of passionate dietitians and educators who showed patience, kindness, and a genuine enjoyment in teaching me everything necessary to succeed. My preceptors provided me with the tools to overcome my anxieties and succeed. The structured approach of the clinical rotation—basic, intermediate, and advanced—ensured that I could focus on different disease states with a clear understanding of MNT and interventions without feeling overwhelmed. Every day was a new learning experience, allowing me to process and apply much information. I had the opportunity to handle highly complicated and diverse cases, which enhanced my clinical judgment and knowledge of medical nutrition therapy. Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying clinical’s much more than I anticipated. I honestly cant wait to go back into a clinical setting!
 
After completing my clinical rotation, I moved on to a long-term care rotation, which lasted one week. In this short time, I experienced the role of a dietitian beyond the hospital setting, which I truly appreciated. The dietitians at the long-term care facility were well-respected and integral to the care team, some having worked with residents longer than I have been alive. This rotation highlighted the importance of dietitians in long-term care settings.
 
I am currently in my food service rotation, at Societe Generale (a corporate and investment bank) and it has been fascinating to see the business side of dietetics in action. I am already learning so much and finding a new love for food service. This internship has been going by very quickly, and I am both excited and sad to see it come to an end. I am very grateful for the experiences I’ve gained.
 
Overall, my experiences as a Sodexo dietetic intern have been very fulfilling. I am grateful to the Sodexo team and all my preceptors for their support and patience in helping me acquire the necessary skills for an entry-level dietitian. I am very excited to begin my career.

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