1. I distinctly rememberthe very firstclassof my college career. ItwasIntroduction toHuman
Nutrition. Whenmyadvisorfirstsuggested thisclasstome on a whim, Ireluctantly tookit,havingno
insighttowhere itwouldlead. Thatfirstday of my academicexperienceatColoradoState University
changedmy life. Irealizedinthatclasson Monday morningthatI wouldneverfeel asstrongly about
anythingasI did aboutnutrition andpreventative healthcare. ConsideringthatIinitially beganschool
hopingtoone day become a doctor, I was hesitantatfirstto commitmyself tosomethingsoforeign and
ambiguous tome. I struggledformonths, searchingforthe courage and family supportIneeded to
pursue a degree indietetics. Almostayearand a half later,itwas undeniable— thiswasthe fieldwhere
I belonged. Ideclared aDieteticsmajorandfromthat pointforward, I have dedicated mylife tothis
passion.
Since committingtodietetics,Ihave involved myself infoodthroughwork andvolunteer
experiences. The mostmeaningfulnutrition-relatedexperienceIacquired wasduringa service tripto
Denverwhere Ispenttime ina community sufferingfrompoverty andmalnutrition. Iinteracted with
many individualsandwasable toserve insoupkitchens, parksandchurch supportgroups. As a result, I
learnedmore aboutthe large population inourcountry whoare foodinsecure.Itisa privilegetohave
access to wholesome foodandthe knowledgetoutilize itadvantageously;aprivilege muchof the world
doesnotknow. Thisis the mostimportantvalue thatI will carry alongthroughoutmycareer.
Duringmy junioryear, Isincerely focusedmyeffortswithinmyinternship atMealsonWheels. It
was here thatI really begantounderstand the impactof a community-wide programfocused onthe
positive powerof suitable nutrition. Itwasmyresponsibility asthe fundraisinginterntowork closely
withthe staff and volunteers toraise money towardpurchasingandprovidingfoodtolow-income
individuals inthe area. We helda successful dinnerpartyfor200 people, raisingover$40,000 forthe
program. This opportunity opened myeyestothe importance thatpassion, time andcommitment
makesforany worthy cause.

2. While these experiences taughtme agreat deal aboutdietetics throughthe eyesof various
populations, mygreatestlearningexperience hasbeen throughmycurrentleadership positionasa peer
mentorfor17 first-yearhealthprofessions students. Iroutinely coachthese students throughtheir
transition andexperiences atCSU, bothindividually andingroups. Coachinghasincreased my
awareness of the need forandpowerof personalized counselingandgoal setting. Itismyjobto relate
to theirchallenges anduse personal experienceandknowledge, coupled withaccesstoprofessional
resources, toleadthemto be successful studentsandyoungadults. Thisisthe same attitude Iwould
bringwhencounselingwithinthe dietetics role –individual attention andcompassionate guidance.
I pride myself onusingtime-managementandorganization inevery aspectof mylife. Asasenior
workingwithfirst-yearstudents,Iconsistently have toarrange individual meetingswhile coordinating
my ownacademic,work and social schedules. Ihave balanced 18 to 19 creditswhile workingmultiple
jobsand immersingmyself involunteerandextracurricularexperiences throughoutmostof mycollege
career. In addition, Ibelieve myself tobe exceptionally personable andcompassionate towardthe needs
of others. Forexample, throughmyvolunteerexperience atColumbine HealthCenter, Ilearnedthe
importance of puttingothers needs before myownbyactively listeningtopatientsconcerns and
requests regardingthe institution’s food service.
The main weakness inmypersonal, academicandprofessional life isthe virtue of patience. Iam
a quick-thinkingperson bynature. Sometimes mydrive towardendresultsandattainablegoalsgetsin
the way of slow, effective progress. I have beenchallengingmyself toconquerthisweakness bytaking
my time onvarious tasksand planningoutrealisticgoalsforeachday.By doingthis,Ifeel accomplished
by mydevelopments, ratherthandefeated bymyshortfalls.
Withinthe nextseveral years,Ihope toprogress myknowledge of myownskillsandabilities,
preventativenutrition, andthe dietetics fieldasa whole. Iwantto be workingwithpatientsinfood

3. service, clinical,andcommunity settingswhere Icanform meaningfulandlife-changingrelationships. At
the conclusion of mydietetics program, Ihope tohave taught manyindividuals aboutthe benefits of
eatingforhealthandsatisfaction.Inthe future,myultimate goal istoworkin a large corporate wellness
program benefitingemployees. Ibelieve thatthe majority of peopleinoursociety have insufficient
knowledge onhow tolive healthylives,andmypurpose istoshare simple andeasily accessible
information tobenefitthem. Myspecificrole will be personalcoachinbothnutrition andexercise. No
mattera person’sage orlevel of knowledge, Iwantto teachpeople the benefits of livinghealthierand
more energeticlives.
I have worked very hardto gain well-roundedskillsthroughwork, volunteerandextracurricular
experiences. I value thisinternship foritsfocusinadvocatingpublichealthforthe bettermentof
community well-being, somethingwhichisexhibited inmypastvolunteerexperiences. Ifeel my
strengths of self-disciplineandcompassion will reflectthe valuesof the University initsgoal toprovide
community-wideeducation,somethingwhichIlook forwardtocontinuingthroughoutmyeducation.
My tireless commitmenttofoodandnutrition throughservice projects, fundraisingandleadership sets
me apart from my peersandmakesme the perfectcandidate forthe internship atCaliforniaState
University, Sacramento.Notonly will Iembrace thisposition tobetterthe healthof alarge community,
but I believe the positionwill betterme asa person, a leaderof health,andafuture dietitian.