“Soy una dietista!”
By Nicole Patience, MS,RD, LDN, Nancy Munoz, MS, RD, LDN and Janet K. Little, MPH, RD, LDN
Nicole Patience, Nancy Munoz and Jan Little had an intense three hours at the National Hispanic Career Fair, Inc. on Monday, October 30. Between 1,000 and 1,500 high school students, mainly Hispanic, from the local area were bussed into the athletic center at the attractive University of the Sciences in SW Philadelphia. Nicole and Nancy were able to set up our table well before 9 am, so we were able to enjoy the complimentary breakfast.
At breakfast, we met a representative from a university in Miami, Fla. who gave us tips when working the Fair. She also told us that the National Hispanic Career Fair was one of the best career fairs, so we picked a good venue.
Nicole and Nancy, both bilingual RDs, met, counseled and gave out career materials to at least 100 kids; 18 signed up for more materials. April Rudat’s posters attracted students to the table and the PA Apple Board nutrition materials were invaluable. It was a good thing we didn't accept donated apples as the representative from Miami told me she thought that was against the rules. We had information about dietetics written by Lynn Monaghan, Director of the dietetics program at West Chester University. Both Lynn and Karen Drummond, the Director of the dietetics program at Drexel University asked their universities to donate funds toward the cost of registration for the table.
We did have occasion to speak Spanish to some kids including two students who arrived from Columbia two weeks ago. I met some students from Frankford High School, accompanied by two Spanish-speaking tutors and the head librarian, encouraging them not to be shy and take advantage of this “oportunidad.”
Although the focus of the fair was on Hispanic students, all minority groups were well represented at the fair, seeking information about careers and college. The PADA Strategic Plan endeavors to reach ALL young men and women because, as Nicole and Nancy can tell you, the nutrition/dietetics career is unknown to most.
School buses came and went in intervals from a variety of Philadelphia schools: public schools such as Dobbins, Edison, Frankford, Kensington, Olney; parochial schools like Little Flower, and a charter school called Community Education Partners.
We wrote a follow up email to the 18 students, as they were already given a bundle of information about dietetics, the college major and the career. These interested students will be offered a mentor, the key to success, as the Student Dietetic Association at Drexel University has offered to correspond with these students. As we get to know these students better, we may bring other RDs into the relationship.
What did Jan Little do? She circulated, introducing herself to guidance counselors accompanying the students. One guidance counselor approached our booth, asking if RDs could come to her school. Of course! Jan met administrators highly placed in the Philadelphia school system. Good thing some Philadelphia DA members had already given presentations at or operated booths at two of the largest public high schools, Edison and Northeast. As a result of meeting these counselors, additional opportunities to promote our profession may arise.
Jan also introduced herself to representatives from schools that have dietetics programs. This way, we could direct students to those tables. Schools located in Pennsylvania included Penn State, Cedar Crest, Mansfield, West Chester, and Marywood University. Camden Community College (CCC), located in New Jersey, has a DTR program. Graduates of CCC’s program can matriculate at a distance CUP program to become registered dietitians at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
A (NBC) Channel 10 cameraman was there for a good half-hour. He stopped by our table a couple of times but, our booth did not appear in the 30-second segment about the Fair on the news. Hopefully, we will remain part of the footage.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this fine day. PADA members may download and print the following materials.
You may contact the PA Apple Board for attractive nutrition materials in English and Spanish. http://www.pennsyapples.org/
Bookmarks – You can have them copies onto firm paper, both sides, then cut. In addition to the logo and the Career Page url on the front, there is career information on the back.
Business Cards – Print them on one side using Avery 8371 business cards. You can add your own name and contact number, too.
Facts about Cholesterol
Spanish Version: Datos Sobre El Colesterol
Guidelines for Parents: Ways To Help Your Family Live Healthy
Spanish Version: Pautas Para Los Padres: Maneras de Ayudar a Su Familia Viver Sanamente
“I am a dietitian.” – You can have a poster professionally made using the pdf file of one or both of the following images.
“Soy un dietista.” – male dietitian
“Soy una dietista.” – female dietitian
A more formal way of expressing "I am a dietitian."
Nancy Munoz, MS, RD, LDN:
For the male:
"Soy Licenciado en Nutricion y Dietética."
For the female:
"Soy Licenciada en Nutrcion y Dietética."
Francisca Fernández, M.S.
Latino Health Communications: In many cases, there are no accents; it is perfectly acceptable in Latin America to not use
accents if all the letters in a word are in caps. On the other hand, it is always culturally acceptable to do so if one wishes.
How to Become a Nutrition Professional – This sheet showing two flowcharts, one for RD and the other for DTRs can be enlarged, laminated and used as the table copy.
Learn Your ABC’s: What RDs and DTRs Do – Each letter of the alphabet begins the name of a role of a registered dietetics professional.
What is a RD? / What is a DTR? – This small poster defines the RD and DTR
and details what courses and programs to take.
Student Scoop newsletter for September, 2006 – This is the newsletter for members of student dietetic associations. What better way to show middle and high school students about issues concerning dietetics students?
More can be found at www.eatright.org under the Careers & Students section (for ADA members only).
"Why Seek An RD?" brochure
This new brochure identifies RDs as the most valuable
source of nutrition information. It highlights the top ten reasons why
people need the expertise of an RD. The original
directs the reader how to find an RD in Pennsylvania.
ADA Career Guidance Materials Order Form:
ADA members may complete and fax this form to receive one complimentary package
of each of the listed career guidance materials.
(Note: "Check it Out…Careers in Dietetics Brochure" is listed for junior high students
but is appropriate for senior high students.)
(A big thank you to Genny Trinko, MS, SPHR, Vice President, Human Resources,
American Dietetic Association for sending a set for our table at the Fair.)
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Special thank you to the following who helped develop these materials:
- Peter Thompson College Relations
National Hispanic College Fairs, Inc.
Toll free - 1-888-655-6611 Fax - 1-858-505-9053
pthompson@collegefair.info
http://www.collegefair.info
- Francisca Fernández, M.S.
Latino Health Communications
a division of C.P. Fileti Associates, Inc
1251 N. Dixboro Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
P: 734.741.8600
F :734.769.1904
- Genny Trinko, MS, SPHR
Vice President, Human Resources
American Dietetic Association
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
TEL: 800/877-1600 x4734
312/899-4734
FAX: 312/899-4766
EMAIL: gtrinko@eatright.org
Visit our website at www.eatright.org
- Karen Drummond, EdD, RD, FADA, LDN
Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics
Drexel University, Stratton 118
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
e-mail: Karen.A.Drummond@drexel.edu
Office: 215-895-6441
- Lynn Monahan, MPH, RD, LDN
Instructor
College of Health Sciences
Department of Health
Sturzebecker Health Science Bldg, Room 302
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19282
610. 436. 2289
lmonahan@wcupa.edu
Visit our website at:
http://health-sciences.wcupa.edu/health/NUTRITIO.HTM
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