A New Beginning

Oh, how quickly time has flown by and things have changed; I am now a proud Purdue CFS Alum!  My experiences at Purdue have forever changed my life, and I’m so thankful to have endured this amazing opportunity.  Regardless of the tough economic climate, my Boilermaker pride is taking me places.  The job application process has been an eye-opening experience.  I found it most helpful to increase my exposure as much as possible by utilizing our Center for Career Opportunities (CCO), Monster, and LinkedIn.  Our CCO is an amazing tool for students, and constant monitoring of the job postings can help create a competitive advantage.  During my employment search, I conducted thorough research on my companies of interest to ensure that my goals and values alligned up with theirs and it was tremendously helpful during the interview process and with my morale.  Initially, responses from employers during the fall were slower and fewer than I anticipated. Heading into the new year, my persistence and company responses have greatly increased.  At this point, I’m thankful to have choices.  I will miss all the stellar people at Purdue and the comfort of my home-away-from-home.  I look forward to embracing this new chapter of my life and being able to give back to future Boilermakers.

Tammy

Savoring the Memories

Late-night Insomnia Cookie runs, football games, fountain runs, seeing familiar faces all around campus, walking from class to class with a group of friends from my major, studying into the wee hours of the morning, Breakfast Club...oh the fond memories of Purdue!

It's interesting sharing these memories with my new friends in the dietetic internship and finding that some of these things are very unique to Purdue. That just makes my memories all the sweeter!

The thing I probably miss the most is the friendships I developed with fellow students and CFS faculty and staff. They truly are phenomenal people and I still keep in touch with some of them! I've also been able to meet other Boilermakers in New York (and even during a grad school college visit) who share some of these same memories! It sure is wonderful sharing that BOILERMAKER pride with others!!!

Amy Conklin
Dietetic Intern, Cornell University
CFS Ambassador Alum
Purdue University Class of 2009

Currently a Cornellian, Always a Boilermaker

After graduating from the Dietetics/Nutrition, Fitness, and Health dual-degree program at Purdue, I went on to pursue a 1-year dietetic internship at Cornell University. The internship is a required step for earning the credentials to practice as a registered dietitian.

Within the Cornell internship, I am conducting a research project, taking graduate coursework, and practicing as a dietitian in community, clinical, and food service management settings. Purdue's program provided exceptional preparation for working in these very diverse realms of nutrition practice!

Several aspects of Purdue's program that I believe were most impactful include:

• the CFS honors program
• hands-on learning experience in and out of the classroom
• competitions and internships arranged through Purdue's relationships with nutrition-oriented companies
• F&N 424(the nutrition communications course)
• and of course CFS extra-curricular activities.

I encourage prospective students to inquire about these aspects of CFS and the Dietetics/Nutrition, Fitness, and Health program. For current students, I encourage you to participate in these activities as best you can--the benefits may be much greater than you expect!

Amy Conklin

Dietetic Intern, Cornell University
CFS Ambassador Alum
Purdue Class of 2009

Time Flies at a Great School like Purdue

There are only 3 weeks left in this semester! I can’t believe that I am working to finish up projects and homework for classes for upcoming finals in 2 weeks. Looking back on the past 3 ½ years here at Purdue time has flown. It seems like just a few days back I was a freshman walking to my first college lab at 7:30am Monday morning. Not too long ago I was applying to different organizations to try to get involved. Working hard in my classes since that first day in college and trying to get good grades and eventually get a dietetic internship.

I have loved my time here at Purdue and all the wonderful people I have met over the years. Once you are a senior you have been around here for awhile and you feel so comfortable with how school works and what is expected of you. I enjoy knowing that on weekends I can relax if I get all my school done and that over Christmas break I get 3 weeks off where I don’t have to worry about anything with school.
I am looking forward to a much needed break before coming back to school for that last semester of college. Thankfully I will be around Purdue for another year with my internship but it will be different since I will be working and not just attending classes all the time. I realized while putting up Christmas lights in my apartment that I have really enjoyed my time here and this past semester despite its hardships has been wonderful and I have so much to be thankful for. Time does fly with you are you at a great school like Purdue University.

Anna

Dietetics Student with an Internship

     Finally, after almost 3 ½ years of hard work at Purdue University, I can say that I have a dietetic internship. I applied to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) about a month ago, went through the interview process and after a long fall break learned that I had been accepted!
     If you would have asked me as a freshman if I would be applying to the CPD I would have told you “no” and that I wanted to end up somewhere else far away from home; however, I am excited to stay in the West Lafayette area and hopefully learn so much along the way. It is crazy how throughout college your perspective and priorities change. At the beginning of college I was carefree, independent, had no strings tying me anywhere and I was ready to take on the world. Now, as a senior, I am much more aware of the world outside of Purdue and I am so eager to work through my internship and eventually become a Registered Dietitian.
     Now my sights are on hopefully staying in West Lafayette and doing rotations in the area because this has become like my home and I want to stay here for another 1 ½ years at least. I have realized that as I have been looking forward to graduation I am realizing how great college is and being a student has some advantages, but I am eager to finally be able to work and eventually start earning money as a RD.
     There are so many exciting things in my future such as getting through class at Purdue, finding out my placement for rotations in the CPD, finding a place to live, learning to work in different environments with various rotations and finally graduating in August 2011. Purdue is a wonderful place to be a student in CFS and having such great advisors who I know will continue to be there and guide me along this new adventure on my horizon. Without their help and support I would not be here today looking forward to a wonderful internship and exciting plans in the future. As a senior with a double major in Dietetics and Nutrition, Fitness & Health, who has an internship, thank you to everyone who has helped me get where I am today and who will continue to guide me in the future!
~Anna

A Day in the Life from F.I.T.

Hey guys! I actually have a semi-free night for once, so I thought I’d type a little bit up about my experiences here so far in the city.

The other week I found out that 8 million people alone live on this island. And since I run a lot, I’ve found out that the island itself is really only about 12 miles by 2.5 miles, give or take. Somehow, this seemingly hectic area is managed through structure, routine, and tall buildings. There really is so much to see and do here in this small area of Manhattan, and although I’ve been here almost three months, I still have a list of places I want to go to. I’ve been fortunate to be able to give myself about a day a week to explore though, which transitions into the FIT part of this entry.

Before I came here everyone basically said, “Oh my gosh, it’s going to be so hard and you’re going to have no life.” Unfortunately, for the main part it is true. However haha – it’s really just time management. Nothing we have done so far is insanely difficult, for a lot of the first semester is review of what I’ve already learned at Purdue, except they expound on it and multiply it. For instance, basic draping is taken a step further. We learn every method of basic draping and then have to do a creative version of it. I have only made two complete garments, the rest are half muslins; but, we all have term projects that will be multiple garments per outfit. Stressful, but exciting!That last phrase basically sums up everything – I’ve had spare time to do a couple contests, go to free yoga once a week, join a small group, work out every day, and see the city – all on top of homework. Sometimes it is a lot to handle, but after last year at Purdue and my internship this summer, it’s a little easier. Plus, there really is nothing else to do here aside from school during the week, unless you want to eat out and see a show every night.

Overall my experience here has been one of growth, both educationally and individually. It’s been quite an adjustment, for I haven’t visited home at all. Luckily I’ve made good friends with my roommates, girls in the one-year program, and another girl from Purdue here for retail. I also have family in mid-New Jersey that I visit about once a month. The more I’m here, the more I get used to it. Some things I don’t think I’ll ever get used to though– like being able to jog out to the end of a pier, stretch, and see the Statue of Liberty and the New Jersey skyline. The opportunities here are endless, and somewhat surreal. For instance, we went to Fashion’s Night Out on September 10 and saw Manolo Blahnik, Roberto Cavalli, Grace Coddington, Zac Posen, Laura Bennett, and Miss J from Project Runway. My professors are all extremely knowledgeable and always helpful, and I have learned such a great amount in such a small time period. I’m very grateful that I’m able to be here and could not be more excited for what’s to come. I can’t wait to come home on December 22, visit family and friends, drive, and yes, see farmland haha. That’s the one thing lacking out here – nature. I heard about Lady Gaga coming and had someone get me tickets. Luckily we’re off for six weeks for winterim at F.I.T. so I’ll get to visit Purdue as well. To fellow ambassadors and friends/faculty at Purdue – good luck as the semester comes to a close with final projects and exams! I hope everyone’s doing well!
                    Ashley

CFS Graduate is a Martha Stewart "Dreamers to Doers" Award Winner

We were thrilled to learn that former CFS Child Development and Family Studies graduate and Student of the Year was selected to receive a Martha Stewart "Dreamers to Doers" award in her capacity as CEO of College Mentors for Kids.  She appeared on The Martha Stewart show on October 16.  For proprietary reasons we are not able to post the actual video; however, here are links to the appearance, a Behind-the-Scenes article and Erin's blog regarding the event.  We extend our sincerest congratulations to Erin in her success!

Erin Slater on The Martha Stewart Show.

Enjoy Erin Slater's Blog on the Dreamers to Doers website.

Behind the Scenes with Erin Slater on The Martha Stewart Show.

Profile of Erin Slater and Mentors for Kids.