To Whom It May Concern,
I would like to be considered for acceptance into your dietetic internship program. I will be graduating in May 2010 in Nutrition and would like to implement the background knowledge I have already learned and develop additional dietetic skills. My education and employment background make me a desirable candidate for the internship position.
This fall, the undergraduate Aramark internship has given me the opportunity to apply my undergraduate Bachelors degree knowledge to real life counseling situations for several staff and students at UT. Due to the independence and flexibility that my role allows it has given me the opportunity to showcase my passion for nutrition to the students and faculty at UT. The latest project I’ve been developing is, labeling all foods served in the dining halls as vegetarian, vegan, low-fat, and low-carb. This allows students and staff the option of making healthy knowledge based food choices while dining. I have also vastly increased my proficiency at uploading menus and nutrition facts on the UT Dining website in order to make it available to anyone who would like to access the nutrient facts. Through this internship I have been able to experience clinical nutrition as well as food service systems.
Last summer, I was employed as a nutrition intern with Camp Ronald McDonald in Sacramento. The position involved a concentration in food service systems. In retrospect, I would have to classify this experience as a life changing experience. Working with campers that have such great disabilities was inspiring. The campers’ limitations did not affect their day-to-day existence and did not inhibit them in any way. It was their spirit that really amazed me and made me realized what an impact I was making on their lives through food and nutrition! When campers on special diets approached me and hugged me, to thank me for their meal; it made me realize the importance nutrition can play in someone’s life. It reinforced my educational decision and made me realize that I really enjoy what I do. My responsibilities gave me the chance to increase my experience in menu planning, food safety (ServSafe), food preparation, placing orders with Sysco, logging inventory, checking in and receiving shipments.
For the past 2009 academic year, I have volunteered with two separate organizations: N.E.A.T and the Healthy Living Kitchen. N.E.A.T is a one-hour per week program for elementary age children. During the hour, I teach a lesson about health and nutrition, which also includes a smattering of physical fitness. The students really enjoy the activities and games that we play while learning. Working with children requires me to be outgoing, boisterous, and creative. On the other hand, the Healthy Living Kitchen is tailored toward an older crowd of adults that have various types of outpatient medical conditions. Family members participate as well. The classes can vary in length but the format is usually similar. The participants learn how to modify their cooking, choose healthier alternatives, save money and time, and best of all get to sample the items they helped to prepare. Working with the adult crowd is completely different from working with kids. It is necessary to be respectful, a good listener, knowledgeable, and bubbly in personality!
Combining my strong academic background in nutrition and hotel, restaurant and tourism, along with my work experience in restaurant, volunteering and nutrition in the industry, qualify me as a strong candidate. I am confident my previous experiences and skills in working with adolescents and young adults and my knowledge of the food service industry will be an asset to the organization and internship. I feel given the chance I could make a significant impact during the internship.
I look forward to speaking with you regarding the internship opportunities. For more information about myself I invite you to visit my online portfolio at: http://ellisbrittany.blogspot.com, which includes work samples, in depth job descriptions, photos and much more. I greatly appreciate the time you have taken to read and consider my application. If you need any addition information I will be more than willing to provide it for you. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Brittany E. Ellis
202 Highwood Ct.
Knoxville, TN 37920
(630) 453-9960
bellis8@utk.edu
Cover Letter
