Maricopa County Department of Public Health was my first choice for an internship as I loved the diverse rotations that they offered while still keeping a community health perspective. My favorite part of the program was how many different subjects I got to learn about and the different specialties that I was exposed to (eating disorders and pediatrics being two of my favorite). The program really tried to bring in new perspectives and challenge our beliefs on things which ultimately made me a well educated and well rounded Registered Dietitian. I also loved how the cohort all worked together on projects and how there was always someone that I could reach out to if I needed support or clarification. Everyone who worked at MCDPH was also incredibly willing to help us with anything as well.
The most difficult part for me was that I was never really able to gain a routine as we would change sites every week, but ultimately it helped me become a much more flexible, go with the flow type person which will definitely help me with my career in the long run. Not having the same daily routine helped me learn how to think quickly on my feet and how to always be prepared for the day to change in an instant. This is very reflective of real world experience and something that most of my preceptors had to tackle daily. Maricopa County Department of Public Health Dietetic Internship is a great option as it will set you up to enter nearly any position as an RD. They have great connections and so much support to provide you throughout the internship. During my cohort, the program definitely attracted those that wanted to make a difference in the world, so my cohort of interns loved to help one another- not compete with one another. My best advice to future applicants would be to be as honest as possible during the interview and to try to get as much real-world experience before applying (volunteering, work experience, restaurant experience). My best advice for future interns would be to go with the flow and to try to soak up as much as possible. Focus on one rotation and one project at a time and you will be done before you know it!
-Brogan Taylor, RD
I graduated from the 2020 WIC-track cohort. After working for Maricopa WIC for a year I was able to apply to the WIC-track internship that is offered to WIC agencies in Arizona. MCDPH was my first choice because they offered the unique WIC-track option and the internships commitment to having a diverse group of interns. I enjoyed the various rotations within the nutrition community. Although having 10+ rotations in less than a year sounded overwhelming, Diana and Courtney made me feel so supported by offering a variety of resources for each rotation and lending an ear to hear out any concerns/problems I had. I appreciated that Diana and Courtney’s focus was us! I know other internship programs consist of university professors where they have other duties to perform. I knew that with MCDPH the interns were priority. I am now working with my WIC agency and love my position as an RD, but still miss the internship every day!
-Karina Robledo, RD
Having completed a master’s degree in nutrition and public health, and with most of my work experience being in community and research, I was interested in landing a community and public health focused DI program. When I learned about MCDPH DI program I knew it was the right fit for me, given that I had some work experience, I am bilingual (Spanish-English) and I was going to have the opportunity to be working with the Hispanic population at some point during the internship. After meeting with the director for the interview, I was convinced that MCDPH DI was the best fit for me. The vast variety of rotations was another thing that drew my attention into this internship program.
All my preceptors were very knowledgeable, and passionate about their work. Their dedication to MCDPH dietetic interns, and the variety of rotations we had, made me feel prepared to work in any setting as a Registered Dietitian. Among my favorite rotations were Outpatient Diabetes at St. Vincent de Paul and Foodservice at Alhambra School District. There were definitely some challenging rotations, but looking back, those that got me outside of my comfort zone were the ones that provided the most growth.
The MCDPH dietetic internship program, apart from being part of the third largest health jurisdictions in the country, offers a vast variety of rotations, has dedicated preceptors and directors to guide you along the way, and the cost of the program is among the most affordable in the U.S.
My advice to future applicants is to network, network, network. And, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
-Karla Ortiz, MS, RD, LDN
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