Hi everyone! My name is Morgan, and I am a region 5 intern. I started the internship in fall 2019, and am finishing up amidst the Covid-19 crisis. I was able to complete my FSM, patient services, and clinical rotations in person. The support and encouragement us interns have been receiving from our directors during this crisis is really something to brag about! They work so hard for us to have the best experience possible. I want to start this post by shouting THANK YOU to all of them!
Now, I want to talk about the Professional Research Project (PRP). This is the biggest project Sodexo interns will complete during their internship. It involves writing an 8-10 page research paper, putting together a PowerPoint presentation, and presenting a 45(ish) minute presentation in front of other interns and registered dietitians. As an intern, knowing this project is on the horizon is quite intimidating. It can be overwhelming thinking about how to start and finish it. Here are 5 tips for upcoming interns on how to tackle this project:
Once you get over the hump of starting, this project can be a lot of fun! You are learning about something that is interesting to you and sharing that information with others. You got this!
Now, I want to talk about the Professional Research Project (PRP). This is the biggest project Sodexo interns will complete during their internship. It involves writing an 8-10 page research paper, putting together a PowerPoint presentation, and presenting a 45(ish) minute presentation in front of other interns and registered dietitians. As an intern, knowing this project is on the horizon is quite intimidating. It can be overwhelming thinking about how to start and finish it. Here are 5 tips for upcoming interns on how to tackle this project:
- Choose a topic that is interesting to you. If your greatest interests do not reside in clinical, that is OK! Choose an interest and I guarantee there is some connection between it and something clinical - you might have to get creative. Talk to your director; they are happy to help you solidify your topic.
- Collect all of your research first. Read through each of your articles one by one and highlight important pieces of information within them. Trash pieces that are not offering you what you need. Quality over quantity.
- Organize your articles by the information they offer you, and then begin writing your paper in chunks based off of each “category” you have. Chip away at this and before you know it, your paper will come together!
- Ask professionals that are familiar with your topic to review your paper. My husband reviewed my paper and gave me great feedback in terms of grammar, but I also had two RDs who work in the field of my topic review my paper. The feedback they provided me really helped take my paper to the next level.
- Practice, practice, practice your presentation! Practice on your own. Practice in front of roommates, friends, family. Practice! And know that it is more than OK to have notes/note cards with you during your presentation to help you to remember specific things you want to say.
Once you get over the hump of starting, this project can be a lot of fun! You are learning about something that is interesting to you and sharing that information with others. You got this!
