Hello everyone, my name is Kiley Therrien and I am a Sodexo dietetic intern in region 2, specifically located in Fall River, MA and Providence, RI. My time within my dietetic internship has allowed me to gain valuable insight into the myriad of ways dietitians are able to make a positive impact on their communities, whether that is through educating and treating patients in a clinical setting or developing nutrient dense recipes in a community setting. This particular lesson was highlighted during my time in my foodservice rotation where I had the chance to develop a new recipe to be served in a hospital cafeteria to celebrate National Nutrition Month’s theme of “Celebrate a World of Flavors.” To accompany the recipe I developed, Baja fish tacos with mango salsa, I also created educational handouts in hopes to teach customers easy ways to appreciate and incorporate recipes from various cultures. With the help of my preceptor, kitchen staff, and other dietitians working within the hospital, I am happy to say that the recipe and event was a success as shown through increased sales and excitement shown through talking with customers. Since finishing my foodservice rotation, I have had the opportunity to intern for an outpatient dietetics office focusing on intuitive eating and serving those with disordered eating habits—two interests of mine. Overall, I have had a wonderful time making connections with each of my preceptors and educating patients. I greatly look forward to what my community and leadership rotations have in hold for me!
To ensure success within a dietetic internship, advice I would relay to incoming interns is to stay curious, practice open communication with your preceptors, and have compassion for yourself throughout the process. While most of us may come into this internship with a specific area of interest, staying curious and open will allow you to relish the time spent in each rotation. With this, open communication with your preceptor will be vital to ensure you are learning all you can from each experience and may even open up new opportunities for yourself that may surprise you. Finally, regularly practicing a bit of compassion for yourself can help to manage stress levels and reach your highest potential.
To ensure success within a dietetic internship, advice I would relay to incoming interns is to stay curious, practice open communication with your preceptors, and have compassion for yourself throughout the process. While most of us may come into this internship with a specific area of interest, staying curious and open will allow you to relish the time spent in each rotation. With this, open communication with your preceptor will be vital to ensure you are learning all you can from each experience and may even open up new opportunities for yourself that may surprise you. Finally, regularly practicing a bit of compassion for yourself can help to manage stress levels and reach your highest potential.
