Featured Intern: Introducing Amanda Bot

By Amanda Bot


Hello AAI blog followers! I am excited to be the featured intern this semester for AAI and hope to provide you with valuable insights about my dietetic internship experience.  A little about my background:  I graduated in May from the University of MN-Twin Cities after completing the DPD requirements with a degree in nutrition.  After my freshman year of college I decided that I was not meant to be an engineer so I switched career paths and dedicated myself to becoming a Registered Dietitian.  Best decision I ever made! I have lived in Minnesota all my life (except for one semester in Australia where I studied abroad), but moved to Florida to begin a dietetic internship with Sarasota District Schools.  I could not be more excited!  I officially became a dietetic intern on July 27th with the first couple of days being orientation.  


A year ago I was in the process of preparing my dietetic internship application.  I understand how overwhelming having an empty application can seem.  It is important to work on the application over the entire fall semester (assuming you are applying in the spring).  The didactic program at my school had a 1 credit senior capstone class that was developed solely to help senior nutrition students prepare their DI applications.  Yes that is right - a SEMESTER LONG class where each week was dedicated to a different aspect of the application.  So the application is not meant to be filled out a week before it is due.  Star now and come February, you will be much less stressed about the application deadline looming only two weeks away.  A few resources, in addition to the capstone class, that I used while completing my DI application includes:

• My mentor: an RD who was also my supervisor during an internship.  She cave me suggestions and feedback about how to make my resume more organized and direct.  My mentor also wrote one of my letters of recommendation and proved to be a valuable source of advice.  If you do not have a mentor it is never to late to get one, but the sooner you can the better! 

• Campus Career Center:  I had my general personal statement reviewed three different times by the career center staff and also used the free mock interview services offered.  I would strongly encourage anyone applying to an internship to investigate what services their campus career center offers.

• All Access Internships: I used AAI's services where I felt my application could be strengthened as well as advice on the interview preparation.  I had one of my personal statements reviewed by Jenny, and watched the personal statement webinar because that is where I could sell myself the best on my application. 

My next post will be a recap of my first week as a Dietetic Intern.  If you have any additional questions about the application process, my experience preparing for the internship, or anything else in particular just post a comment.  I hope you are all enjoying a relaxing and productive summer!

- Amanda