Meet Nadine Braunstein, PhD, RD, FAND, who is a dietetic internship (DI) director at California State University, Sacramento. She shares a day-in-the-life of a DI director and what it takes to guide future dietetic professionals in their studies and career paths. - Sarah

Your Job Title?
Dietetic Internship Director and Asst. Professor

Company you are with now?
California State University, Sacramento

Website:

www.csus.edu/facs/dietetic-internship

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?
Because I am the dietetic internship director and teach classes, some days are spent with the interns and planning their schedules, meeting with them and their preceptors, exchanging emails, administrative duties and establishing/strengthening relationships with preceptors and alumni from our program. In the role of professor I spend several hours each day planning the learning experiences for my students (i.e., making PPT and developing assignments), teaching the classes and advising students. We have monthly faculty meetings. In academia we are also required to do research, so there are activities related to scholarship, such as writing (and revising) grants and research papers, developing abstracts to present at professional meetings, and interacting with research collaborators. No two days are ever the same.

How did you get your current job in dietetics?
When I was looking to change jobs I heard about the position at Sac State, when I had lived on the east coast my entire life. They were looking for someone who had been a dietetic internship director and had accreditation teaching and policy experience. I had all of those things, and it sounded like they were looking for me. So I applied and here I am nearly 3 years later!

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?
I was born with a positive/optimistic personality, enthusiasm, determination, love of learning and curiosity. I was also a first born among my siblings and my parents (who were both youngest). Along the way I learned leadership and management skills, knowledge about nutrition, diabetes, complementary and alternative medicine, policy, education, business, and so much more.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?
Find things within the profession that get you excited! Our profession has so many opportunities. Join and become an active member in some aspect of the professional association at the local, state, national levels and/or within a DPG. Keep learning new things as knowledge and technology evolves, which will allow you to remain current.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what
would it be?
Assuming that I had enough money to pay for my housing, food, and transportation, I would value being ‘paid’ with time for some flexibility to learn new things, travel, and serve my community.