PUTTING YOUR INTERNSHIP PACKAGE TOGETHER

1. PUTTING YOUR INTERNSHIP PACKAGE TOGETHER 2017

2. Time Is Short…Make time now! • StFX IDI Program: • Packages due by 3pm January 31st • DC Graduate Applicants: • Packages must be uploaded on DC Match Site and payments must be received by programs by February 1st • Recommend sending by January 15th • Program Coordinators notice early packages!! • Consider “Express Post” – extra $ but tracking for payment of fees to programs • Use the checklist and refer to brochures

3. Make An Impression • Most important: cover letter and resume • Cannot change marks on transcript • Able to select references, no control over their evaluation (and not allowed to view for IDI)

4. Internship Programs • Integrated Dietetic Internship @ StFX • 3rd and 4th year HNU students • DC Match Programs • can apply up to 3 (one fee) • Masters Degree w/ Dietetic Internship • can apply to as many as desired; fees for each • Reminder: Official Transcripts are required for Graduate and Masters Degree programs • StFX official transcript NOT required for IDIas long as all transfer marks appear of your StFX transcript on MesAmie

5. Interviews and Portfolio • Most placement sites will have interviews (Graduate – in person or by phone) – often during the 3rd week or 4th week of Feb; Some early March • IDI Selection Committee selects students for interview for IDI program – notified only a few days before! interview date TBA (will be before reading break)

6. Interviews and Portfolio • PRACTICE • Sample questions and tips sheet will be available • Setting up an Interview Workshop with Jane MacDonald from the Career Centre – Feb 3rdin JBB 255 in F Block 11:15am • Bring your portfolio to interview • Make an appointment with Jane if you have questions about your portfolio

7. “DIETITIAN” • Spelling and grammar important* • Accuracy – documents included, style… • How do selection committees rate you? • Cover letter and resume* • Confidential reports • Transcript • Interview • Based on “evidence” of established predictors of successie. Self-direction, adaptability, personal balance (school, work and leisure)

8. Tips: Cover Letters • Tailor each cover letter (a.k.a personal letter) for each graduate internship program • Read over brochures • incorporate information from graduate programs when appropriate • Clear, concise content; accurate spelling and grammar

9. Tips: Cover Letters • Highlight experiences related to professional goals • ***Transferrable skills!!!*** • Examples: • - Developed communication and interpersonal skills • - Ability to be self-directed • - Expectations of internship and dietetics • - Potential contribution to the profession of dietetics

10. Tips: Cover Letters • Introductory Paragraph • - State why you are writing • Second Paragraph • - Tell what you can offer • Third Paragraph • - Explain why you are interested • Closing Paragraph • - Open the door for an interview *Review information from Jane MacDonald’s Resume and Cover Letter Workshop (on the HNU Website)

11. Tips: Cover Letters • Include your name, address, date • Addressed to? Internship coordinator or selection committee • “Sincerely” , • Your signature in black or blue ink • Type your name Don’t try to cram in too much information!

12. Tips: Resume • Accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation – vital • Factual information – do not exaggerate • Clear, concise and easy to read • Page limit based on each program • List experience in HOURS (work and volunteer, including service learning) • Do not include experiences on resume if less than 20 hours – but can include in your portfolio • Limit high school experiences unless they stand out

13. Tips: Resume Questions? Book an appointment with Jane MacDonald in Coop! • Avoid personal pronouns • I, me, and we • Use good quality paper • dramaticcoloursnotrecommended • Divide into categories • Education • employment/volunteer • extra curricular etc.

14. IDI Application Package • Addressed to: • IDI Selection Committee • Department of Human Nutrition • St Francis Xavier University • PO Box 5000 • Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5

15. IDI Application Package - Required • Resume & Cover Letter • Essay • (1-pg, single spaced 12 font essay (approximately 350 - 600 words): • What interests you about becoming a dietitian and how will your experiences and personal skills contribute to your professional goals? • Contact Information Form • Include your home address in addition to address in Antigonish • Confidential Reports • (1 composite from dept + 2 your choice)

16. IDI Application Package - Optional • Sir James Dunn Scholarship Letter • This award recognizes a student who demonstrates the potential for leadership and a keen interest in dietetics as it relates to healthy aging and the nutritional care of the elderly. • demonstrated through work experience or volunteer activities, etc., an interest in nutrition as it relates to healthy aging and care of the aged. • expressed a strong commitment to nutrition and aging via writing a statement of interest in geriatric nutrition and his/her professional and scholarly plans as a consequence. • *1 – 2 page letter (single spaced, 12 font) outlining why you wish to be considered for this scholarship. This letter must be addressed to the Sir James Dunn Scholarship Selection Committee (use address on previous slide). • * IDI placements will be arranged to focus on nutrition and seniors for all practicums

17. IDI Application Package - Optional • Declaration of interest in Sport Nutrition StFX Athletics Placements • HNU 363 Sport Nutrition is required • Complete the form on the IDI website • http://sites.stfx.ca/human_nutrition/node/55 • Submit with your application package

18. DC Registration Access • Available NOW! • $170 + tax ?? • Must be processed by February 1st, 2017 • if not, DISQUALIFIED • Indicate up to 3 internship programs; all equal not ranked according to preference

19. Application Package: DC • Submit on DC Match Process Site: • - Cover letter (individualize to each program) • - Resume (1) • - Transcript • - Confirmation of Completion of Academic Program • **Submit to Laura • - 3 Confidential Reports – uploaded by references • **most DC Match programs prefer only one academic reference • - Any other material requested by individual program (i.e. application fees, etc.)

20. Last But Not Least… • All IDI References have been contacted to complete your references and many have already submitted. • Confirmation of Completion of Academic Program (for DC Graduate Internships) – Completed by Dr. Ann Fox– submit to and pick up from Laura • One last look? Schedule an appointment with me…

21. DC Match

22. GOOD LUCK!!! Remember: a Professional does a good job, even when they don’t feel like it!