Describe the steps you took to obtain your internship.

I searched for small companies that needed interns in order for my opinion to be heard and for me to feel useful rather than just another employee number. That is how I came across Staci's Plate and her very welcoming team online. It was a place meant to be for me.

How far in advance did you prepare and begin applying for your experiential learning opportunity?

I started applying around a month ahead.

Describe some of your responsibilities or duties during your experiential learning opportunity.

During my internship, I make/edit cookbooks, talk to patients through zoom consultations, help make diet plans, participate in research, and take over a big project throughout three months in which I made ready-to-eat recipes including meal prepping and pressure cookers.

What was a typical day like "on the job?"

A typical day would be working on my own time and on my big project with ready-to-eat meals. I would also jump in zoom calls with the team and offer to help in any weekly tasks needed.

What are some major takeaways from your experience? How will these help prepare you for the next step after graduation?

The biggest takeaway from this internship was finding out my passion for food science and nutrition. Everything I was doing felt easy, logical, and I enjoyed it the whole way through. I took various lessons from that job, some being how to be detail oriented, multitask, meet deadlines, be creative, and be supportive of everyone no matter their background. Overall, this experience will help me with human relationships later down the road, and it will be an experience valuable to my resume.

Did this experience help clarify your career path? If yes, how so?

Yes, it helped me understand that despite my interest in nutrition, I enjoy more food science and the chemistry/cooking behind it. Thus, that's the way I would love to lean towards.