Meet Kati Fosselius, MS, RDN, an incredible dietetic internship (DI) director. Her schedule is jam-packed with educating students, guiding students, developing coursework and programs, and attending/participating in workshops and conferences. A DI Director has a lot of work to do, but it is extremely rewarding and fulfilling. Read on to learn how Kati optimizes her interns DI experience. - Sarah

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics?
I’m an educator at heart, and I started my career as a middle school math teacher. Working with kids that age had me thinking a lot about the impact of food and body image on students’ success in the classroom and beyond. I’d also noticed that most of my favorite moments as a teacher were times when I connected with students one on one or in small groups. I got excited about the idea that I could make more of a difference in students’ lives by teaching and counseling them and their families about nutrition, and empowering them to make peace with their eating choices and bodies.

Your Job Title?
Director, Dietetic Internship

Company you are with now?
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Website:
http://www.fsn.calpoly.edu/dietetic-internship

Social Media:

- Instagram: @calpolyslodi

- Twitter: @CalPolySLODI

- Blog: https://calpolyslodi.wixsite.com/blog

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?
My days are typically a blend of:

• Teaching our Dietetic Internship Seminar, the undergraduate DPD Nutrition Counseling course, or a general education Intro Nutrition class
• Speaking or emailing with students, alums, preceptors, and prospective applicants to our program
• Grading / providing feedback on student and intern assignments, including reviewing and responding to interns’ journals
• Completing administrative tasks such as tracking data and writing reports for accreditation, strategic planning, and managing the logistics of our internship
• Collaborating with colleagues and attending meetings – I try to incorporate walking meetings regularly when possible
• Participating in workshops and book clubs about teaching and mentoring strategies

I’m lucky to truly love what I do, so it’s a passion of mine to talk about internships, rotations, public health, education, nutrition counseling, or the many twists and turns our careers and lives can take. Interactions with interns and students are my favorite part of my job, and I especially enjoy exploring the grey areas of our field with these future dietitians, and empowering them to achieve their professional goals.

How did you get your current job in dietetics?
I began working in higher education as a part-time lecturer while I was still a full-time public health dietitian. The college where I was teaching opened the position for a Dietetic Internship (DI) Director, and I pounced! I already loved being a preceptor and working with interns in the field. And truthfully, I was always so inspired by Golda Ewalt, the Director of the DI I attended myself. I admired and respected her so much, and seeing the care and joy she poured into our experiences, I felt being a DI Director must be one of the most rewarding positions in our field. For me, at least, this has proven to be absolutely true!

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?
I’d like to believe I’m a born teacher, although I’m still constantly learning how to further hone these skills. It comes naturally to me to see many sides of an issue and seek out and respect diverse opinions about that topic, which helps me to hold space for students’ divergent opinions and ideas. And I’m innately someone who’s always striving for change and seeking strategies to make a successful program or initiative even better.

There’s so much I’ve learned throughout my career! I’m especially grateful to have been introduced to Health At Every Size®, which influenced the way I counseled patients and how I talk with students about supporting clients’ health goals. I’ve come to recognize that there are many ways to achieve nearly any goal. I’ve benefited so much from learning about curriculum mapping and assessment, and also how to be a compassionate, clear, and consistent leader.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?
Never stop growing, learning, and trying new things. Pay attention to the many paths a dietitian’s career may take, and imagine yourself exploring a different direction if it intrigues you. Even when you love what you do, you can take on more challenges or throw yourself into a new passion within the field that will bring uncharted successes and joys.

Also, create and nurture a support network, then be sure to use it, both to navigate challenges and celebrate successes.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what
would it be?
The power to freeze time so I can create enough hours in the day to revel in quality time with my family, be at my best at work, enjoy my favorite hobbies, and still have plenty of time for reading and learning about growing as an educator, mom, and individual.