Growing up, nutrition was an integral part of my life.

I always wanted to know exactly

what I was putting in my body and was curious to understand how my body processed it. With

that curiosity, I developed disordered eating behaviors which led me to seek out and learn from a

Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist. From there, I began to shadow RDNs. The passion they had for

their jobs is the reason I found my way to nutrition and dietetics. I knew I wanted to educate

myself, but more importantly, I wanted to educate others. I made mistakes in the past and it is

very important to me to help others avoid the same mistakes I did. I grew a passion for helping

those consume the proper nutrients needed for their bodies. This led me to explore different

aspects of dietetics which nurtured my passion and led to my current interest in oncology.

While exploring the different aspects of life, I began to set goals for myself. My main

goal is to obtain a dietetic internship at Marywood University. Even though my primary interest

is in oncology, I want to continue to educate myself in the different areas of dietetics, and

Marywood’s internship program will provide that opportunity as it creates well-rounded students

in all areas. This is why your internship program is the perfect fit. The education that Marywood

provides will prepare me for a lifelong dietetics career as I continue to grow within and

contribute to the field. This program will allow me to grow as a person and create new skills

along with honing those I already possess.

Through my peer connections at Marywood, I to applied and received an internship at the

Cristian Rivera Foundation. As an intern I took my passion for oncology and incorporate that

into a learning opportunity. While working with this organization, I developed and improved

skills to help me grow on personal and professional levels. During my time at the foundation, I

was able to enhance my time management, organizational and communication skills. Each day I

was given a variety of tasks to best benefit the organizations daily needs and goals. I had to
prioritize, and problem solve to get these tasks done. I used leadership and critical thinking skills

to develop a fundraising virtual 5K. With the Pandemic, this event took a little more planning

than usual. I utilized my communication skills and my ability to empathize with patients and

family members to interview parents who lost a child to brain cancer. I was also able to increase

my knowledge of public relations by creating social media and blog posts on variety topics on

various platforms. Although my initial internship ended this past summer, I still spend my time

volunteering for the foundation through my connections and my own personal drive to help these

families deeply affected by this type of brain tumor. It was so rewarding to be an advocate for

these children suffering from DIPG. It was an experience that I couldn’t let go.

I am always trying to improve myself. With that, I try to acknowledge my strengths and

use different opportunities to help me grow. Through Marywood, I provided educated lectures on

how to have a smooth transition to college through the PACT program. This program provides

education on sexual assault; a topic that can be difficult for students. Each time that I presented, I

entered into a different atmosphere where I had to adapt quickly to different questions and

situations. These students relied on me to give proper education on a topic that can be very

triggering.  I was flexible and compassionate because I never knew what to expect while

presenting. Along with using public relations skills at the Cristian Rivera Foundation I was able

to build on those skills as the Public Relations Officer for the Student Academy of Nutrition and

Dietetics (SAND) at Marywood University. I am responsible for posting on all social media

accounts for the student organization. I serve and teach the followers of the social media account.

Being the public relations officer allows me to inspire followers and be a voice to them with

evidence-based content. In the world of social media, as soon as something is posted, that

information gets shared and interacted with. Here I decide to communicate with the followers
and provide them with even more education. This becomes a collaborative process with the

president of SAND and other members who create the content. We communicate with each other

to agree on what content is posted along with when. I create a place of acceptance with the eye-

catching content that is created. Another creative outlet for me is leading dance classes,

something that I have been doing since I as fourteen years old. I use a positive manner to teach

young dancers proper technique while giving effective feedback. While teaching, I developed the

ability to verbally communicate with others of all ages. I am able to ensure that students and their

parents understand what to do and when to do it. I teach these dances while I am in my

hometown, but while I am at Marywood I also teach my fellow teammates on the dance team. In

the spring semesters, I take the opportunity to use my creativity and choreograph dances. I show

them new techniques that aren't familiar, and we learn them as a team. I communicate my vision

to others and the listen and perform my ideas.

Weaknesses are nothing to be ashamed of and I try to take the areas that I need to

improve on as learning opportunities. I am a self-sufficient person and I like to get all of the

work done myself, which means I sometimes find it challenging to work in groups. It’s a comfort

aspect for me, because then I know what needs to be done, instead of relying on others to get

them done. I’ve worked to improve this by placing myself in more group work settings.

Teamwork is an aspect of life; it is important to learn to work with others and trust that they will

do their part.

         Whenever a person describes me the word they often use is empathetic. I am always the

person who advocates for others in any situation. I understand what others feeling, and I do not

judge. I plan to use this trait in any work that I perform. I will advocate for patients in all

circumstances. I will understand what they are going through and work to better their situation.
The struggles that they are facing is nothing to put down, but to build up from. I will push

through with them. Everyone needs support and with empathy I can be that support while

helping them prosper.

In conclusion, my empathy and my ability to adapt to new situations makes me an

excellent candidate for the dietetic internship at Marywood University. Marywood’s dietetic

internship will allow me to use my creativity and to grow into the successful dietitian that I strive

to be. Marywood University has given me the opportunity to enhance my skills and has aided in

the development of who I am today. Overall, all of this will support me in becoming a successful

dietetic intern and a future oncology dietitian.