What have you been doing since completing your degree & RDN training?

I currently work for the Washington State Department of Agriculture as a contracts specialist for the Focus on Food Initiative where I help to lead a project to distribute remaining Coronavirus state recovery funds to support hunger relief and emergency food response efforts, while supporting local farmers and strengthening food system resilience across Washington.

What unique opportunities does UW and the Seattle area offer for students pursuing a degree in dietetics?

I was most impressed with the breadth of internship opportunities that exist for students. During the program, it became clear to me that I was interested in pursuing opportunities in public health nutrition, specifically focused on food and nutrition policy and programming at the local, state and federal level. Through connections made during the food systems policy class in our first year, I was able to connect with an amazing mentor who I completed my MPH Practicum / Public Health Concentration with and who was instrumental in helping me to land my first job out of graduate school.

How was the small cohort size beneficial to you? 

It allowed me to connect with my classmates in a more meaningful way and supported my learning style through discussion and peer learning. I think it also better simulated the work environment and helped me to prepare for my future career working on a team in this field.

Did the training or connections you made during the program assist you in securing a job?

100%. The connections made during my practicum, fieldwork and coursework were key to helping me secure my first job in public health nutrition. I still keep in touch with faculty and mentors who I worked with and met throughout the program.

Describe your nutrition experience prior to our program and comment on how the program complemented your previous learning.

Prior to coming to graduate school, I had a 10+ year career in marketing and communications, including my own freelance marketing business. When I decided I wanted to entertain a career change, I was fortunate to work for a local farm-to-pastry bakery in Seattle where I helped to run our farmers market program and farm box delivery program. Having a previous career in marketing and exposure to the local food scene in Seattle was supportive to my experience in the program as it gave me a unique lens to view food and nutrition through. I was also struck by the array of experiences my classmates/colleagues brought to our program, which greatly strengthened our learning and collaboration.

Are you interested in studying nutritional sciences as a graduate student? Explore programs and RDN training offered in the UW Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health program.