Reflective Summary of My Experience in the Coordinated Program at

GSU
Through the last fifteen months I have learned not only about
advanced nutrition topics and practice techniques, but about myself as well.
There was always a positive learning experience occurring throughout the
Masters in Science Coordinated Program in nutrition that expanded my
personal and professional abilities. When I began the program I considered
myself outgoing and personable, but not in a professional capacity. I had
never been in the corporate world, but rather worked over the past twenty
years as a chef, swim teacher, preschool teacher, and the owner of a
cleaning service. Neither of these positions ever put me outside the comfort
level of my abilities. Coming to the CP was an opportunity to come forth and
demonstration newly obtained skills with proficiency, which I may otherwise
have not attained if it were not for the core competencies of the program.
My ability to communicate with others expanded as I began engaging
in the classroom discussions. At first, I felt as if I were the old lady of the
group, but after becoming friends with other cohort members, like Brittany
Linton, who were so open to working and studying together, I became more
comfortable in the cohort atmosphere. Teamwork became a strong point of
my increased skillset as I completed interventions with other cohort
members, worked with leaders of community outreach events, worked on the
description of services team of the business plan, and worked together
with others on research projects. Up to the beginning of the CP, my role in
life was one of a leader due to being a mother of two children. They lean
on you all the time, expect you to come up with the answers to their
questions and fulfill their every need. I love this role, but in the GSU cohort
team each member contributes equally so I did not need to be in the
mother role, which was a pleasant setting after 18 years of mothering!
Professional experience in managerial, leadership, and organizational
skills improved with the inclusion of my student liaison position at Decatur
YMCA and the opportunity to be a part of the business plan manager team.
Presenting my plate study findings to all the managers and the district
managers was a profound moment of my professional skills coming into
fruition. Likewise, presenting to the Salvation Army staff on the subject of
Eat This, Not That gave me the opportunity to engage with the participants
as well as bring nutrition information to them in a professional manner. Now,
as my graduate work comes to an end at GSU, I recognize that I have
gradually grown in both a personal and professional manner.
I would like to continue to expand my skillset in the area of clinical
medical nutrition therapy (MNT). I believe the nine weeks we spent in the

acute and critical care setting was engaging and fulfilling. It gave us enough
experience to spark our interest to learn more, but it was not long enough to
become proficient in clinical MNT. As I look to my mentors, such as Barbara
Hopkins and Dr. Sarah Henes, I see the years of experience it takes to be
able to provide the kind of care I hope to exemplify in my career. I have
important strengths that will help me achieve proficiency in the clinical
setting. I possess the ability to multi task, think critically, work well with
others, have good bedside manner, and can problem solve competently. An
area that I need to improve is that of my ability to use constructive criticism
to my advantage and not to be so emotional and internalize it all. The
clinical field is demanding and I need to be able to handle the pressure,
coming out of it as a stronger person. For this reason mainly, I am going to
pursue a career in clinical MNT to strengthen myself and my knowledge of
clinical MNT. Afterwards, I may go back into the food industry to pursue my
original goal of becoming a food RDN research and development chef.
I remember reading a recommendation from a previous supervisor who
said, I think the program she is applying to will help her to recognize her
own capabilities and to realize the amazing qualities others see in her. This
supervisor knew me quite well, and she was absolutely right in saying that I
did not know how capable I am! Now, Through 1,200 hours of supervised
practice and coursework in the CP graduate program, I believe I have only
just realized my capabilities as a professional in dietetics. I plan to continue
my professional development by staying active in the Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics (AND). Since I enjoyed every day at the Cherokee County
School District, I plan to work with my sons school as their liaison to the Kids
Eat Right sector of AND. Working with CIMA added to my interest in
volunteering in the Hispanic population, so I plan to continue my education in
learning Spanish to open up more opportunities for me to work effectively
with them. I will continue to make practice related decisions based on
current research and position papers that drive our profession, increasing the
validity and efficacy of the dietetics profession. Fulfilling my continued
education hours each year will keep me informed on current nutrition
practice as well. It will be an ongoing process to continue my professional
development because there are so many areas of nutrition that interest me.
I believe that my development and effectiveness will organically expand over
time, bringing me years of joy and fulfillment in the field of dietetics.