Monday, July 19, 2010

Becoming a dietetic intern is not a given.

When I first started thinking about majoring in dietetics, I never even considered that I might not be able to become a registered dietitian (RD). I heard about the major and the profession from RD's, and in their glowing reviews they didn't talk about at how hard getting an internship really is.

According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), in the April 2009 only 50% of applicants were matched for an internship (Wilson, 2010). That means half of the people who want to become an RD each year will have the opportunity, whether they're qualified or not. And that number does not reflect those who have or are receiving a B.S. in nutrition/dietetics and don't apply. Many of the internship applicants who were not matched to an internship this year will apply next year, poised with an additional year of experience, making the competition even stiffer for new graduates.

From the ADA Times Winter 2010 Issue: Supply and Demand for Dietetic Internships Since 1993

Getting an internship is hard. Unless you're in a coordinated program, no one is guaranteed a spot. Your competition will be fierce, and each year it is getting more savage. So take your education seriously, and be prepared to do everything you can to improve your chances. Don't expect getting an internship to be easy, but do expect it to be worth the hard work.

Source(s):Wilson, A. (2010). Creating our competition: why the dietetics internship shortage is as important to your future as it is to the practitioners of tomorrow. ADA Times, 7(2), 12-13.

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