I grew up in the United States in the 1990s as a product of the industrial food complex,

exposed to all kinds of processed and refined foods. Mostly, though, I ate foods that came in
different shapes and colors foods, I understand now, designed more for marketing than
nutritional purposes. As a result, I had a lot of respiratory issues as a child, but I had no idea it
was because of the kinds of food I was eating.
My investigation into the cause of these respiratory issues led me to a deeper
understanding of my diets direct impact on my well-being. My search for ways to alleviate and
eventually cure my respiratory condition helped me discover my passion for nutrition and seek
further education UC Davis. I hope to become a dietitian so I can use my skills and knowledge to
mold current and future generations attitudes towards eating in order to achieve optimal health,
as I did in my own life.
My experiences working with individuals in the Davis community have motivated and
helped me prepare for a career as a dietitian. At CommuniCare Health Center, I assisted the
Perinatal Program Nutritionist as an interpreter for pregnant Hispanic patients in a clinical
setting. After conducting 24 hour diet recalls, I would spend time with these individuals alone. I
learned about the patients diverse lifestyles and relationships with food, which helped me
determine the most effective diet strategies that satisfied both the dietitian and the patients. From
the moment I saw the women, I made it my mission to create a welcoming environment. I
learned the importance of building relationships with patients and immediately saw improvement
in their willingness to have a discussion and ask questions. Many of the women also brought
their children to the clinic visits. As I interacted with them, I quickly understood the importance
of reaching out to the younger generation. Most kids had never been exposed to fresh produce
and were unable to identify common fruits and vegetables from a storybook. While my primary
work was helping adults break lifelong habits at CommuniCare, I now understand that it is just
as important to give children the tools for a lifetime of healthy living, which has become one of
my goals as a dietitian.
Perhaps my most rewarding undergraduate experience has been serving as the president
of the Student Nutrition Association (SNA). I worked with campus partners and professionals to
coordinate a variety of community service and networking opportunities to help members
develop professionally and academically. Throughout the beginning stages of my term, I found it
difficult to accept criticism. I took every comment regarding my work personally and quickly
saw our progress diminishing as an organization. As I slowly let down the wall I had built, we
picked up momentum. Now, as soon as my board gives me feedback, we sit down and find ways
of turning it into actions. Being more open to constructive criticism has proven invaluable,
especially during a dietetic internship where I will constantly be receiving feedback from my
preceptors. Being in SNA has also taught me a great deal about flexibility and solidified the
importance of having a positive attitude. These principles parallel the practices I plan to uphold
in my future. I understand that circumstances are constantly changing, and as a dietitian, I must
hone old skills and adopt new ones to remain flexible.
As I started to focus on my interests throughout my undergraduate career, I found my
niche during a research internship at the University of California, San Francisco. I worked as a
research assistant on the Healthy Beverage Initiative Study, examining whether the effects of a
campus-wide sales ban on sugar sweetened beverages can be enhanced in heavy consumers by
adding a clinical intervention. On the first day, I was introduced to massive databases and data
files and immediately began training for participant clinic visits. I quickly became bogged down
with specifics but soon developed a system to organize all the information. My supervisor
immediately took note at how fast I was catching onto the pace of the study and assigned me to
my first solo clinic visit after a few days. Being part of a research study meant that it was
especially important that I completed my tasks with the utmost attention to detail, taking note of
any deviations in the process. When I had moments to spare, I would sit down with the clinicians
and staff, introducing myself and asking questions about their experiences. Even though I was
only an intern, I felt like a valuable part of the staff, which maximized my learning experience at
the hospital. I learned to take charge of situations by adapting to my surroundings and these
skills will in turn allow me to get the most out of my dietetic internship.
Towards the end of my internship at UCSF, I conducted a preliminary analysis of the
beverage study. I found promise that a multi-level intervention that includes changing the
food/beverage environment and providing individual counseling may be more effective than
policy change alone. I knew this was my calling. I want to learn more about the legislation
policies that shape and impact nutrition programs across the country, as well as the role I can
play in the process as a dietitian. My short term goals including being not only a confident and
competent dietitian working in the Northern California region, but to also taking an active role in
the CAND-Northern Area Dietetic Association Executive Board as a Public Policy
Representative. My commitment to advocacy translates to my long-term goals, which include
being involved with the UC Nutrition Policy Institute. I want to examine the social
environmental determinants of dietary intake and diet-related outcomes and use scientific
evidence to influence public policy and create healthier environments, particularly in low-income
elementary school settings. As such, completing a dietetic internship will provide the opportunity
to delve deeper into my goals by observing the influence of nutrition across the lifespan.
While exploring the field of health as an undergraduate student, I have seen how
education can have an enormous impact on promoting healthy lifestyle decisions. Similarly, I
have witnessed leaders influence policy on a daily basis, which made me realize that it just takes
one person to make a difference. I want to become an expert in the field and be that one person.
Now that I have completed the intense curriculum offered at UC Davis, I need the rigor of a
dietetic internship program one that will allow me to capitalize on the resources offered in a
teaching hospital environment and provide the knowledge I will use to mold the health of current
and future generations.