DI Spotlight
Kayla Brubaker
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
Clinical nutrition, eating disorders, and food allergies as of right now. However, I’m still trying to keep an open mind.
Most Rewarding Part of Being an Intern:
Utilizing all the knowledge we’ve gained in school and putting it into practice. It’s amazing how much you actually know even though you might not feel very confident. Also, it’s nice getting to “dip your toes” into the different areas of dietetics to figure out what you like.
Most Challenging Part of Being an Intern:
Balancing school work, internship, and your outside life can be challenging at times. It’s easy to get stressed out and overwhelmed with homework, projects, studying, paperwork, etc., but just remember to take one day at a time!
Favorite Rotation so Far OR the Rotation You Are Looking Most Forward To:
I’ve only had 2 rotations so far, but the rotation I am most looking forward to is Clinical. I am nervous, yet excited because I think it will challenge me and force me to step out of my comfort zone.
Why did you choose Kent State?
I chose Kent State because of its friendly environment and comfortable atmosphere. Initially, it was quite nerve-wrecking to be one of the few interns who had completed their undergrad at a different college. However, the welcoming and supportive atmosphere from everyone at KSU, especially the Nutrition staff, has made me feel at ease. The staff at Kent State is not only concerned with your academic success; they also prioritize your health and overall well-being.
Kelsey Fritts
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
I’m interested in pediatric clinical nutrition, outpatient dietetics, private practice, and school nutrition.
Most Rewarding Part of Being an Intern:
The most rewarding part about being an intern is getting to have hands-on experience with dietitians throughout our various rotations. It is a great way to get to learn more
about different fields of dietetics and explore areas that I would have never thought I would be interested in.
Most Challenging Part of Being an Intern:
The most challenging part of being an intern is managing a work-life balance. There is a lot to do being an intern while also getting a masters, and then adding everything
outside of that into the mix. It can feel like there’s never enough hours in the day but staying organized and managing your time makes it a lot more manageable.
Favorite Rotation so Far OR the Rotation You Are Looking Most Forward To:
I have enjoyed all of my rotations so far. My favorite rotation has been my business rotation with KSU athletics. I’m looking forward to my school rotation and clinicals over
the summer!
Why did you choose Kent State?
I chose KSU because I completed my undergrad here and have had great experiences with all of the nutrition faculty! I really liked the program, and I have formed great
relationships with the staff. I knew I wanted to continue finishing my education here and that Kent was the best fit for me.
Caitlyn Gerdes
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
Clinical and sports!
Most Rewarding Part of Being an Intern:
Being able to explore different professions in dietetics and building connections.
Most Challenging Part of Being an Intern:
Being able to balance school, internship, work, and life.
Favorite Rotation so Far OR the Rotation You Are Looking Most Forward To:
Favorite Rotation: KSU Athletics
Looking Most Forward To: Clinical
Why did you choose Kent State?
I completed my undergrad here and loved the professors and the support system. I knew KSU could provide me with life-long friendships and education to become a successful dietitian. I can proudly say I do not regret my decision choosing KSU and am proud of the dietetic intern I am starting to become!
Ruby Greenwood
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
As of right now my interest is community, specifically working with individuals or communities that experience food insecurity or living in a food desert.
Most Rewarding Part of Being an Intern:
The most rewarding part of being a intern is being able to grow as an individual and being able to put everything I learned in class into practice. I think it is also awesome that you get to have exposure to a variety of different areas in the field.
Most Challenging Part of Being an Intern:
The most challenging part of being an intern is time management. I am an athlete, a full-time grad student, working part-time and an intern so at times it can be really stressful and overwhelming, but I know that it will all pay off in the end. It’s important to find time for yourself so that you don’t get burned out.
Favorite Rotation so Far OR the Rotation You Are Looking Most Forward To:
My favorite rotation so far has been my foodservice. I feel like foodservice gets a bad rep. I did my rotation at Akron Children’s Hospital. I really got to build a good connection with the workers there, which is something that I am big on. I feel like it makes so much of a difference for your rotation. I also loved how it was always changing. Everyday was different and I liked that. I’m looking to my special community rotation that I will be completing at the Hunger Network of Cleveland.
5.) Why did you choose Kent State?
I chose Kent State for many reasons. One reason being I completed undergrad here and I got a chance to develop a relationship with the faculty. Another reason I chose Kent was because I feel like the faculty really care and show so much love to their students. I think that is a great program that offers a lot of opportunities for their students.
Leah Lisle
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
I’m ultimately interested in sports nutrition, but I’d like to have a solid foundation in various areas such as clinical and counseling to support a future career in sports nutrition. Overall, I am open to learning from and experiencing all areas of dietetics during my internship. You never know where life will take you!
Most Rewarding Part of Being an Intern:
The most rewarding part of being an intern is seeing yourself grow as dietetics professionals and leaders throughout the course of your internship experience. Even with less than 2 rotations under my belt so far, I feel so much more confident in my knowledge and am proud of how much I have grown. As interns, we’ve all put in so much hard work during our undergraduate degrees to get to this point, it feels amazing to finally be able to utilize our knowledge and help people while watching ourselves thrive.
Most Challenging Part of Being an Intern:
I would say the most challenging part of being an intern is that initial adjustment to the increased workload of graduate coursework and 8-hour workdays, 3 days a week for rotations. Having so much fun during your internship and graduate school experience makes the days pass so quickly, just don’t let the work get too far away from you!
Favorite Rotation so Far OR the Rotation You Are Looking Most Forward To:
My favorite rotation so far has been my food service rotation. I initially was dreading a food service rotation as it isn’t particularly high on my list of interests but was pleasantly surprised. I loved working with and getting to know the staff in a strong team-based atmosphere
Why did you choose Kent State?
I chose Kent State for their incredible nutrition program (including the faculty!) and for the dietetic internship’s leadership concentration. The nutrition program at Kent State is well respected in the region and I knew that I would further build my knowledge as a graduate student and intern. The dietetic internship’s leadership concentration was another thing that immediately drew me to the program as leadership in dietetics is becoming increasingly important, and the concentration was very unique from other programs I’d looked into.
Nina Macali
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
Private practice, oncology nutrition, diabetes education, nutritional education, pediatrics and prenatal & postpartum nutrition
Most Rewarding Part of Being an Intern:
Most rewarding part about being an intern is being able to officially offer people nutritional advice with the help of our preceptors, that I haven’t really been able to do thus far.
Most Challenging Part of Being an Intern:
The most challenging part of being an intern is going through a rotation that you don’t enjoy. It can be really discouraging to continue to show up and put your full effort forward, but it is a reminder to be resilient and know that you are going through all these steps for a reason. It is humbling to know that all of the experiences will help you grow and cultivate you to become a well rounded RDN. The program has also forced me to become as master at managing all the different responsibilities that come with completing the dietetic internship and taking coursework simultaneously. It is extremely challenging to find time for yourself, the internship, and to work if that is something you have to do. But, I am navigating it and becoming better at utilizing my time wisely.
Favorite Rotation so Far OR the Rotation You Are Looking Most Forward To:
I am most looking forward to hopefully spending a few weeks for a nutrition company that focuses on integrative nutrition also looking forward to doing a rotation with the Beef and Dairy Council!
Why did you choose Kent State?
I completed my Masters first at KSU and then the amazing staff made it extremely easy to make me want to stay and complete the internship at KSU as well.
Jessica McKinney
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
I am interested in many different areas of dietetics. The multiple opportunities that the internship has revealed all seem like a direction I wouldn’t mind heading in. I am most
interested in making a difference in the lives of others & helping those around me that I love.
Most Rewarding Part of Being an Intern:
I think the most rewarding part currently, is seeing all the different opportunities that dietitians have within organizations as well as the lives of others. I love being able to be a part of
something bigger than myself where I can help others learn & grow the same as I am currently doing. This internship is giving me the opportunity to not only do that but also to observe
multiple ways I can expand my skills to provide the same help & opportunities for others.
Most Challenging Part of Being an Intern:
One of the hardest parts of being an intern, for me, would be balancing the school, internship, work, & friendships I have. I have always been good at time management, but the internship
requires me to allocate my time differently.
Favorite Rotation so Far OR the Rotation You Are Looking Most Forward To:
The rotations I am most looking forward to is probably one of the ones I get to choose. I am excited to do a special community and an elective, which can be just about anything! I am
excited to continue learning the many ways a dietitian can be involved in just about anything!
Why did you choose Kent State?
I completed my undergrad at Kent & it was a great experience. I don’t see why I would have gone anywhere else. Kent is a beautiful campus & does a good job at taking care of their
students… plus my family lives close to me here.
Sydney Needham
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
Sports/Performance, Community, Long Term Care
Most Rewarding Part of Being an Intern:
Being able to apply the knowledge used in undergrad and having the “light bulb moments” when education and action come together. It’s a nice reminder that this is what I’m supposed to be doing, which is a very rewarding experience.
Most Challenging Part of Being an Intern:
Only getting so much time at rotations makes it difficult to really feel like I can make an impact, however the exciting experience itself of being an intern and getting to learn, far outweighs the challenges.
Favorite Rotation so Far OR the Rotation You Are Looking Most Forward To:
My favorite rotation so far has been my long-term care rotation, which was surprising to me because clinical was not an area of interest for me. The rotations I am looking most forward to will be in the fall of 2024 where I may be able to work with sports dietitians in the field of combat sports and weight cutting, which is my dream career.
Why did you choose Kent State?
I chose Kent State because of the leadership concentration and the fact that it was a combined program. The leadership concentration is important to me because I value a solid leader, especially in the workplace. The ability to adapt and interact with a vast majority of people, situations and how to create a positive and productive work culture is extremely important to a well-functioning business. This internship has equipped me with more tools and resources to add to my professional repertoire and feel more competent in my leadership skills. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to be a Kent State Dietetic Intern.
McKenna Peters
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
Bariatrics, Pediatrics, and Clinical Nutrition
Most Rewarding Part of Being an Intern:
Being able to meet different dietitians and experiment in different areas of dietetics allowing me to learn more and see what may or may not interest me. It is very rewarding being able to put what has been learned in the classroom into practice and being able to council individuals.
Most Challenging Part of Being an Intern:
Learning how to balance the internship, school, and your personal life. The first semester I would say is the hardest as you are adjusting to changes and trying to figure out what works best for you. Eventually you settle into a comfort level and can feel a bit more at ease with what is going to work for you.
Favorite Rotation so Far OR the Rotation You Are Looking Most Forward To:
I am looking forward to my elective rotation in bariatrics!
Why did you choose Kent State?
As soon as I met Emily and the interns at the open house, I realized how much of a family atmosphere they have and I loved that. Everyone is so kind and caring and that is so important to have during the internship process. After meeting with Emily I saw how compassionate she is and how much she loves the program and I wanted to be with a program with that type of passion. A program should make you feel valued and supported and that is why I chose Kent State. Everyone is supportive of one another and has valued each other’s input.. There is no place I would rather be than Kent State!
Kendra Smartnick
Nutrition Area(s) of Interest:
I am interested in the areas of weight management, renal and diabetes.
Most Rewarding Part of Being an Intern:
The most rewarding part of being an intern is taking the information we have learned in the classroom and applying it to real world scenarios.
Most Challenging Part of Being an Intern:
The most challenging part of being an intern is juggling the schedule of internship hours, classes, school assignments and outside work.
Favorite Rotation so Far OR the Rotation You Are Looking Most Forward To:
I am looking forward to the Renal rotation at a dialysis center. Kidney disease is a very complicated condition with necessary nutrition intervention. I look forward to the opportunity to help those manage the disease with nutrition counseling.
Why did you choose Kent State?
I chose Kent State’s internship program because it is a very established program with many industry connections and opportunities. The internship program offers a diverse range of internship sites.