School Dayz

As with most recent graduates, as you put away your cap and gown, you probably thought school days were a thing of the past. Right? Wrong! As with any dietetic internship, school days are here again. The life of a dietetic intern includes a variety of learning experiences to enhance the rotation experience including class days. Once a week, typically on Monday, the dietetic interns meet for class. Class days can include anything from MNT related lectures to conferences. They can also include field trips and joint class days with other internship programs. Whichever the venue or the topic, you are guaranteed to learn and have a great time. Below are just a few of our most recent class day adventures.

University of Maryland Joint Class Day: Nutrition, Communication, and Information Management

Joint Class days are always fun especially when you are the host! On January 12^th, the University of Maryland Dietetic Internship Program hosted a joint class day. The over-arching theme, like our emphasis, focused on nutrition, communication, and information management. Presenters shared information on new and upcoming Apps in nutrition and dietetics, reaching a new generation of foodies through technology, and life as a super market dietitian just to name a few. As inters hosting a class day, we all participated in helping the day run smooth. I was able to introduce different speakers while others helped with registration and facilitated other activities.  We were also given the chance to network with registered dietitians and other interns while visiting different vendor/information tables.

Me, Rayna, and Rory at UMD Joint Class Day

Children’s National Medical Center Pediatric Symposium

The Pediatric Symposium was hosted by Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C on January 5^th.  The symposium included multiple speakers lecturing on a variety of topics. Presentations were given on pediatric nutrition assessment, formula and enteral nutrition, inborn errors of metabolism, cystic fibrosis, and much more. The symposium allowed interns to take an in-depth look at how to appropriately assess, evaluate, and care for critically ill infants and children.

Always time for selfies! Chandler, me, Rory, and Andie!

Technology Class Days at the National Agricultural Library

Technology class days are by far the most fun yet the most simple in regards to class days. Many of our class days are spent on the 14^th floor on the National Agricultural Library (NAL) in College Park, MD- what a great view!  During class days at NAL we cover tons of information regarding technology and nutrition information management in a variety of ways. We've learned how to effectively maintain information databases through useful applications; the importance of reaching audiences through social media; and, how to build our own website.  Having html basics is a great tool to have in your back pocket in the age of technology; having your own website to showcase your hard work is even better!

Me and the gang at Hopkins Bayview Joint Class Day

Halfway through the internship program I find myself extremely thankful for class days! Whether I am learning about MNT or learning how to reach audiences through Twitter, I count them as days to learn more about what I truly love-nutrition!