NutritionJobs.com Interviews Katie Hamm, Dietetic Student and Owner, All Access Internships

May 2009

NutritionJobs: Congratulations on recently getting matched to a Dietetic Internship Program. How are you feeling these days?
Katie Hamm: I'm very excited! I was matched with my first choice.

Did you do anything unique that you believe made your application more competitive? I think one aspect of my application that set me apart was that I was able to include my involvement with a wide variety of student activities. Activities and clubs outside of the Student Dietetic Association. I've been very involved with the University Student Foundation, honoraries, and other associations that included an application process. I wanted to be involved with a variety of associations to help build my skills

Did you make contact with the Internship Directors? I visited 3 out of 4 of the programs that I applied to. I wanted to see if I would feel comfortable working with the staff, the Internship Director, and also at the location. It was a very helpful process. It helped me tailor the letter of application for each program I applied to.

Any advice for others applying to Dietetic Internship Programs? I would recommend that applicants take the application process very seriously. You are not automatically guaranteed a match at an Internship program. It takes a lot of hard work to demonstrate to the Director why you are the best match. It's very much like finding a job. Nothing is guaranteed. You need to earn your spot.

I would also recommend starting the application process as early as possible. I started researching programs in my sophomore year. It took me a while to narrow down the list. When deciding amongst the programs begin by defining your criteria; is there a stipend, am I open to moving, does it have a Master's program, does it have a strong clinical or medical or food service or community focus. I spent a lot of time looking through the program's website, which I found valuable.

Be yourself in the application and be truthful. Don't try to say what you think the Internship Director wants to hear if the program doesn't ring true to your interests. Be honest to yourself and in the application. For example, if a program has a strong medical nutrition focus and you really are interested in community nutrition, then maybe that program isn't the best match for both of you. Remember to pick an Internship program that will allow you to shine and that will also help you build additional skills.

Once you have narrowed your focus on the programs that would be a good fit for you then you can focus on your letter of application. Tailor your application to show why and how you are a good fit or "match" for the program. If possible, provide specific examples based on conversations with the Director or examples from your tour. Show in your application why you are the best "matching" candidate for their program. Describe specifically what is appealing to you about the program.

Once you submitted your applications, did you have an interview with the Internship Directors? Of the programs I applied only one required an interview. I interviewed via Skype using a webcam. I had visited that program when I was touring during the Fall.

What resources are available to students who didn't get matched into an Internship Program? About a week after the initial matching results are announced, D&D Digital, the computer matching organization, lists the Participating Dietetic Internship programs with openings. You can also participate in the November matching. Some people have a back up plan or pursue a job that doesn't require an RD.

What are your future plans for All Access Internships? The process of applying to Internship programs is what inspired our website! We are expanding our database and enhancing our functionality. We are developing The Perfect Fit application, which will help applicants find the best match for their interests which, in turn, will possibly better the chances for a "match" on match day.

Resources

American Dietetic Association - Dietetic Internships
All Access Internships
NutritionJobs.com - Internships Info
Spring 2009 Participating Dietetic Internship Programs With Openings
Sodexo Dietetic Internship Programs
Tufts Intership Info
WIC Dietetic Internships
WIC Internships How To Be The Best Applicant
Oakwood University Dietetic Internship Program