"Some people dream of
success...while others wake-up and
work hard for it!"
Currently we are all enrolled in a Didactic Program in Dietetics at Texas Tech University which is preparing us for the achievement of knowledge requirements for entry-level dietitians. The next step after gaining your bachelor's degree is a dietetic internship which provides for the achievement of performance requirements for entry-level dietitians through a minimum of 900 hours of supervised practice.
The Directory of Dietetic Programs that contains all available internships, can be found in Dr. Roman-Shriver's office (Rm. 404) or on the web at http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/career_2191_ENU_HTML.htm. If you plan to graduate in May or the summer of 2004 all application materials must be mailed to program directors by February. If you plan to graduate in December applications materials have an October 2003 deadline. These internships are limited and very competitive so it is very important to keep your GPA as high as possible, get involved in different activities, and to try to obtain work or volunteer experience in the field of dietetics.
PATHWAY TO AN INTERNSHIP
Freshman:
- Join SDA, LDA and ADA
- Start volunteering: local hospital or clinics (UMC, Covenant MC), research opportunities (ask faculty members), community programs (Meal on Wheels, South Plains Food Bank, WIC program), nursing homes, TTU Fitness Wellness Center
- Consider doing this during the summer, if you are too busy during the academic year.
- Find an upper classmate mentor
- Establish a relationship with your professors in your Major & Minor
- Ask questions, visit them during office hours, so later they will know you when you ask for letters of recommendation
- Ask questions
Sophomore:
- Same as above, plus...
- Expand areas of voluteering
- Assume leadership positions
- Get involved in extra-curricular activities
- Consider a host/hostess job at local hospital or any foodservice/dietetic-related job
- Keep a high GPA
Junior:
- Research internship directory: http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/career_2191_ENU_HTML.htm
- Select 5-6 internship programs of interest, check our Internships File in Room HS 601 (ask secretary for access to the file drawer) or request information if you cannot find information in our files. Narrow choices to 3-4 internships.
- Check our link to Scholarships for details on applications for ADA/TDA Scholarships.
- Become an Associate Member of ADA (get application from the Bulletin Board, next to HS 404)
Senior:
- Decide on internships of interest
- Consider who may write letters/forms of recommendations for the application (at least 3)
- Recommendations may be from professors in Foodservice Management, Food Science or Nutrition/Clinical; and/or employers
- Complete application, mail to internships
- Make sure you follow specific instructions with the application packet
- Complete and mail computer matching card to D&D Digital (Get from DPD Director)
- Practice interviewing skills