6 Ways We Support & Empower Dietetic Interns
At KBDI, we believe in supporting and empowering our interns to reach their full potential. In addition to providing an in-depth rotation guide and comprehensive class days, we also focus on supporting our interns overall well-being and mental health.
After all, your personal life and external commitments don’t stop just because you’re enrolled in a full-time dietetic internship program.
Here are 6 ways we support and empower dietetic interns to be successful during our dietetic internship program.
1. Flexible rotation scheduling.
We encourage all of our interns to take at least 3-5 days off in between rotations to reset before starting their next rotation. This time allows you time to wrap up any assignments and also gives you a chance to mentally prepare for the next rotation. Our interns have loved this time and they also feel like it allows them to fully enjoy their weekends.
Our flexible rotation schedule also allows you to plan rotations in the order that works best for you. If you know that you’ll have a busy month due to other commitments, you can plan an easier rotation during that time.
2. Vacation time and personal days.
We encourage you to take advantage of our vacation policy. Interns are allowed to take up to two weeks of vacation time during the program.
This means that you don’t have to miss your best friend’s wedding or your annual family vacation. You get to plan your rotation schedule and can plan around these events!
Most internship programs have a no-absence policy. You aren’t allowed any vacation days AT ALL. We don’t believe in this. Your life doesn’t stop because you’re doing an internship- we want you to still enjoy your personal life.
We also provide interns with the opportunity to take 3 personal/sick days during the program. If you wake up with a fever or a stomach bug, you can take a day off, no questions asked.
Or if you’re just feeling run down or mentally tired, you can use a personal day. Your mental health and well-being are very important to us.
3. Meditation & mindset training.
Throughout orientation and our class days, we will teach you different meditation techniques. We will also cover ways to use the power of positive affirmations and positive thinking to direct your mindset.
We also incorporate this training into our RD exam preparation and workshops.
4. Easy to reach internship directors.
As internship directors, we are very hands-on and are in constant communication with you.
Our interns meet with the directors after the completion of each rotation. We confirm that all forms and documents are completed so that there are no surprises at the end of the internship.
We are available via email and also meet frequently with interns via video chat. We provide you with an easy scheduling link that makes it easy to reach out whenever you need additional support.
We don’t put any limits on how often we meet with interns- we are readily available as often as needed!
5. Personalized business coaching.
As a business-based dietetic internship we not only teach you the foundational skills to start a business, but we also provide you with mentorship.
Both Kelan and Beryl are small-business owners and we will support you from the brainstorming process though your business launch. We share our insights and can also connect you with the right resources that will help you be successful.
This business training and mentoring usually costs thousands of dollars- and we are providing you with it all within the cost of the internship.
6. Support after you graduate!
Our support and encouragement don’t stop after you graduate from the program.
We continue to provide support and mentorship well into your professional career. KBDI graduates have reached out for advice on their business decisions, assistance with job applications, and general career guidance.
We also have graduates who are now working as preceptors for our program. We have also hired several graduates to work for our corporate wellness events with B.Komplete.
Your dietetic internship will no doubt be challenging, but we will equip you with the tools and mindset to be successful.
We fully believe in you and your future as a successful registered dietitian.
About the Author
Kelan Sarnoff, MS, RD is a registered dietitian with over a decade of experience in nutrition. She has worked in academia for the past 4 years and taught graduate-level courses including medical nutrition therapy. She loves helping future dietitians and interns discover their passion. She also works as a career coach.