Weeks 11-13: Narrowing my Niche

Week thirteen marks the halfway point in my dietetic internship! It’s bizarre to think I have been completing rotations for over three months. Lately, I have been contemplating the answer to a question I am asked frequently – “what area of dietetics do you plan to work in?”

I have spent time in long-term care (food service management), school nutrition, public health, clinical outpatient, and now dialysis, but dietitians are involved in so much more. Inpatient, research, eating disorders, sports, education, pediatrics,  public policy – the list goes on. How do I pick an area of expertise?

Some dietitians i’ve spoken with say their career path were influenced by their internship experiences. They either loved or hated a specific rotation (or preceptor), which then shaped their specialty. Personally, i’ve enjoyed all my rotations and have had much respect for my preceptors, but I can’t say i’ve felt drawn to one over the others. Is it possible to just love the Nutrition Care Process?

It seems like most dietitians work in variety of areas before carving out their niche in the profession. Sodexo’s Nina Crowley, PhD, RD, LD worked clinical before specializing in bariatrics. REBAL Rockstar Melissa Dobbins, MS, RDN, CDE worked as a supermarket dietitian before starting her own business in communications as a media spokesperson. REBAL Dietitian, by the way, is an awesome blog featuring interviews with some pretty inspiring professionals.

Luckily, my focus now is to learn, grow, and challenge myself as an intern and young professional. I consider myself blessed to have this time for self discovery in the field of dietetics.

Until next week,

S