Why I chose a Distance Dietetic Internship

Why I chose a Distance Dietetic Internship

Why I chose a Distance Dietetic Internship Join KBDI intern Kayla Bensen as she shares all about her experience traveling around the country to complete her distance dietetic internship.  One of future RDs biggest concerns when looking at distance dietetic internships is finding preceptors for their rotations. I can relate to this concern; it is overwhelming to reach out, and most people don’t even know where to begin! My internship experience is unique because over half of my rotations are in various cities across the country. I often get a lot of questions on the logistics of how this works, so I thought I would give four tips to get you started. 1. Decide if travel is right for you. Depending on how big the city you live in is, finding a site that meets the requirements and is willing to take you on as an intern can be challenging. You need to start by knowing how far you are willing and...
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Create an All-Star LinkedIn Profile as a Dietetic Intern

Create an All-Star LinkedIn Profile as a Dietetic Intern

Create an All-Star LinkedIn Profile as a Dietetic Intern If you aren’t already using LinkedIn as a future dietetic intern, now is the time to start. Your LinkedIn account is more than just a resume; it is a digital profile that allows you to showcase yourself and your expertise in more depth. Your profile should be polished and professional before you leverage LinkedIn to find preceptors for your dietetic internship. Follow our five tips on creating a LinkedIn profile as a dietetic intern.  1. Update your Profile with a Professional Photo. If you cannot afford headshots, have a family member or friend snap a picture of you with a clean background and good light. Avoid selfies for LinkedIn and don't just crop out your best friend from a photo. A nice picture from traveling can also work, but make sure the background is clean and your appearance is professional.  2. Highlight Current Projects and Work Samples. LinkedIn allows you to attach multimedia files and work samples....
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The Best Rotation Sites for Dietetic Interns

The Best Rotation Sites for Dietetic Interns

The Best Rotation Sites for Dietetic Interns One of the greatest benefits of a distance dietetic internship is the freedom to choose rotations and sites that most closely align with your interests. In this post, we have crafted a list of the best rotation sites for dietetic interns that are interested in doing something different! So whether your passion is pediatrics, adults with GI disorders, sports nutrition or product development, you can craft the internship of your dreams. We are proud to offer unconventional rotations for a dietetic intern. Read below for more ideas on unique places to complete your rotations. Business Rotation Sites Interns will complete 7 weeks (280 hours) at two different business sites. We encourage interns to select at least one private practice. Three of the seven weeks can be completed virtually. Ideas for unique business rotations include: Food Blogger or Photographer Cookbook Designer Corporate Wellness Dietitian (such as B.Komplete) Author or Copy Writer Media Dietitian Food or Product Developer Tech such as...
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The Best Business Podcasts for Dietitian Entrepreneurs

The Best Business Podcasts for Dietitian Entrepreneurs

The Best Business Podcasts for Dietitian Entrepreneurs It's no secret that the KBDI staff loves podcasts. Today we're sharing the best business podcasts for dietitian entrepreneurs. From nutrition, to business, to motivational and story telling podcasts, we love them all! We'll also share some must-listen episodes from each of our favorite business podcasts for dietitians.  The Unconventional RD Podcast Are you ready to think outside of the traditional employment box and create your own unconventional income streams? Then you’re in the right place. SEO Expert and Dietitian Erica Julson shares strategies to help you start, grow, and scale your own digital empire. Episodes to check out:  #37: 7 Ways to Diversity your Income for Financial Security and Freedom #67: Social Media Versus Blogging: Which one is Best?  Make More Money as a Dietitian Christine Dyan discusses all things money, mindset, and marketing for the RD business owner. Money issues are mindset issues, and each episode of this podcast will help you resolve them so you can reach your...
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A Day in the Life of A Community Dietetic Intern

A Day in the Life of A Community Dietetic Intern

A Day in the Life of a Community Dietetic Intern Today dietetic intern Ann Vu is taking over the blog to share all about her community nutrition rotation at Recipe for Success, a non-profit in Houston, Texas. Ann was able to complete a 3-week rotation with Recipe for Success and her primary tasks were helping with their youth summer camps as well as their vegetable share program. Read more below to find out all about what it is like to be a community dietetic intern at a gardening and food-access based non-profit.  Recipe for Success Recipe for Success is a non-profit organization that was started to combat childhood obesity by changing the way children understand, appreciate and eat their food and to educate and mobilize the community to provide them with healthier diets. The organization takes place at Hope Farm, where they grow fresh, affordable produce in the midst of a Houston “food desert”. The seven-acre farm is also a healthy...
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Five Tips to Optimize your Nutrition For the RD Exam

Five Tips to Optimize your Nutrition For the RD Exam

Five Tips to Optimize your Nutrition for the RD Exam The RD Exam can feel like a marathon and like long races, nutrition can make a big impact on your ability to perform at your best. Discover our top five tips to optimize your nutrition for the RD Exam. Just like counseling clients on their nutrition strategy for big events, it's important to focus on your own nutrition strategy for exam day. Many interns are surprised to learn that you cannot bring water or snacks into the exam room. You'll be able to store water and snacks in a locker at the exam site, but the clock will not stop if you need to take a snack break. Plan ahead for your exam day nutrition strategy by reading our top 5 tips to optimize your nutrition for the RD Exam.  1. Fuel like it's an endurance event. The RD Exam will take approximately 3 hours to complete (30 minutes for the orientation and up...
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How to Gain Dietetic Experience as a Nutrition Student

How to Gain Dietetic Experience as a Nutrition Student

How to Gain Dietetic Experience as a Nutrition Student When preparing for a dietetic internship, you might be wondering how to gain dietetic experience as a nutrition student. It may even be tempting to do a few volunteer hours here and there to meet a program's volunteer hour requirement.At KBDI, we value QUALITY over quantity and don't have a minimum number of volunteer hours or professional experience required. Instead of volunteering for a few hours here and there at a bunch of different organizations, consider an ongoing volunteer or paid position that spans several months.We recommend cultivating experiences that provide you with practical skills that will help you succeed in the internship. For example, working as a virtual assistant for a private practice dietitian will help you develop your marketing skills. Volunteering with a community cooking class will provide you with teaching and professional speaking experience.When you focus on high quality experiences, you will also foster stronger connections and build...
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How to reach out to potential preceptors for a dietetic internship

How to reach out to potential preceptors for a dietetic internship

How to Reach Out to Potential Preceptors for a Dietetic Internship In our last post we covered six networking strategies to secure preceptors for a dietetic internship. In today's post, we'll cover exactly how to reach out to potential preceptors for a dietetic internship and what you should say in an email or phone call.   We'll also review the best strategies for staying organized and persistent throughout the process.  Start networking at least 6 months before the internship starts. It can take several months to secure preceptors and you’ll want to start early in order to secure rotations at the sites that most interest you. In addition, some preceptors take on several interns a year and they might only have openings at specific times during the year. Finally, the contracting process with some facilities can take several months to complete. If you already know that you plan to apply to distance dietetic internship programs, you can start looking for preceptors before...
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Six Networking Strategies to Secure Preceptors for a Dietetic Internship

Six Networking Strategies to Secure Preceptors for a Dietetic Internship

Six Networking Strategies to Secure Preceptors for a Dietetic Internship One of the many benefits of a distance dietetic internship is the opportunity to design your own internship experience. Interns are encouraged to select rotation sites that most closely align with his or her interests. While it can be challenging to secure preceptors for a dietetic internship, we're confident that with the right strategy and persistence, you too will be successful with designing the internship of your dreams.Today we'll be covering six networking strategies to secure preceptors for a dietetic internship program.  1. Put the word out to family, friends and neighbors. Does your best friend’s dad’s sister work as a dietitian at a hospital? As obscure as the connection sounds, people are more willing to say yes if they have a personal connection. Let everyone know that you are looking for rotation sites and ask if they know anyone in the healthcare sector that might be able to help. Instead of asking...
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Top Six Podcasts for Dietetic Interns

Top Six Podcasts for Dietetic Interns

The Top Six Podcasts for Dietetic Interns It's no secret that the KBDI loves listening to podcasts. Today we're sharing the top six podcasts for Dietetic Interns that are just starting out on their internship journey. 1. Application Insider If you're just starting out on your search for a dietetic internship, we highly recommend the Application Insider Podcast. Nicole Vance is a former dietetic internship director and now runs her own DI coaching business at http://applicationinsider.co . Nicole provides helpful tips on how to navigate the DICAS process and write an award-winning Personal Statement. Check out Episode 48 for our interview with Application Insider at https://applicationinsider.co/podcast-source/ep48 or watch the video below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UNKXlGdjt4&t=2s 2. 40 Something & Interning Podcast Host and Current KBDI Dietetic Intern, Danielle Smiley, takes you through her journey as a non-traditional dietetic intern. In the first season of her podcast, Danielle shares the highs and lows of her own journey. In the second season, Danielle interviews other dietetic interns from programs all over the country. It's a...
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