DICAS Interview Questions
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I hope to have gained a specialty certification in pediatric nutrition while working as a clinical dietitian. I hope to also find my place in community nutrition where I can combine my knowledge of breastfeeding/breastfeeding support with my nutrition knowledge and help families to raise healthy babies.
Give examples of your leadership ability.
One of my favorite leadership opportunities that I mentioned in my personal statement has been at Texas Roadhouse. It was through my demonstration of leadership skills that I was offered a bartender position and a administrative assistant position. These two roles forced me set an example for my peers, always want to come to work with a positive attitude and be able to support both the back of house and front of house employees through admin work.
Tell me why your professor was a good mentor/teacher?
She believed in me, inspired me, and was always there if I had any questions or needed assitance.
Summarize yourself in 3 words, with one word describing strength, weakness, and the third, up to you.
diligent, overcommit, and organized. My strength is that I am really diligent, I put energy and hard work into everything I do (work, volunteering, school projects, etc) I think my GPA is a good example of how diligent I am. My overcommitment is a weakness that I am trying to work on. I enjoy helping people and taking on new tasks but at times it can hinder more than help. I have learned (and am continuing to learn) how to prioritize what is important to me and say no to things that are unrealistic to achieve at this moment. Organized because in order to be successful in my work, school work, and extra curriculars, I have to set a schedule and prioritize my time accordingly. This is a skill that will support me well in my role as a dietetic intern and future dietitian.
Is there some unique quality or skill you will bring to us?
-Genuine love and care for people -I honestly want whats best for people -I also love to learn and am a hardworker -This makes me an excellent candidate for this internship
If you were sick, what would you do?
-If I am able to go into work without being a danger to the patients and coworkers, I would go to work -If not, I would inform my manager/preceptor as early as possible to see if I can get the shift covered or make up the work another time -Call occupational health as well -If I foresee it being a severe sickness, I would go to the doctors
How will you add value to our institution as an intern?
-Invested in the hospital -I plan on working at this location after becoming an RD -I would like to take place in research and any project that could be continued after I am done with my internship -Work with coworkers to help each person grow as much as they help me grow
How will you handle the high level of commitment for the internship?
-Not working -Internship is my primary focus -I like to plan things out in advance so I can find time to do what is required of me
What has prepared you for this DI?
-Personal Statement -VBS -Room service coordinator -ACSDA -HONEY
How do you go about completing extensive projects? Give us an example.
-Plan out each step of the process and set out deadlines -Picking a topic or narrowing my focus -Research and gathering literary evidence -Planning and outline step including research -Writing or formulating a rough draft -Multiple rounds of revisions sent to a few people or with the writing center on campus -This process is utilized in all of my papers and the general idea is utilized for all big projects
What do you do to ensure that you are on time?
-Prepare my things the night before -Give myself 15 minutes from the time I park to walk into the building
What do you feel was your most challenging course in college?
Human Nutrition- Macro -First challenging nutrition class -My teacher challenged us to not only memorize the material but to thoroughly learn it -Combined Chem with bio and nutrition for the first time -Ended up being one of my favorite class and the one I learned the most in
Tell me about yourself.
I am currently a full time student at Metropolitan State university of Denver in their Human nutrition and dietetics masters program. I have participated in a leadership level in student club organizations (ACSDA) and assisted the organization with planning events for students and members. I have had work experience that has given me skills to use as an intern. This includes my time at UCH as a nutrition assistant, at CHCO as a milk tech, and my my experience working at a restaurant.
Why are you interested in dietetics?
I am interested in dietetics because I love food and I love people. But more than that, it is a complex field that is relevant to every persons life and is often not emphasized enough. I have a passion for learning and this field allows for constant discovery and the chance to make real change happen on both a small and large scale. I enjoy the science and metabolic processes of nutrition as well. Dietetics is a field where I can work to improve the health of mothers and children, and that is what drives me to continue every day!
How do you handle feedback?
I am naturally very critical on myself. I am always looking ways to improve or learn and I think feedback is a direct opportunity to do that. I rely on feedback heavily in school and work so that I can always do better. This will apply to the DI because I am essentially a sponge trying to learn how to be the best dietitian.
Explain a time when you've seen an RD work/do their role.
At CHCO in the milk lab we have contact with dietitians all day. We support each other in helping these tiny babies get fed and meet nutritional goals.
In one sentence, tell the committee why we should pick you.
Because I am smart, caring, hardworking, and am eager to stay and invest in this hospital
What does it mean to be a leader?
Being a leader means setting an example for everyone else that would be in the workplace, help teaching the other employees leadership skills and taking responsibility and accountability for everything in the domain. Being leader does not being loved by everyone but to always do the right things (having integrity).
Does clinical, foodservice, or community nutrition interest you more? Why?
Clinical is of most interest to me -I work in a hospital and enjoy the atmosphere -I like working with health care professionals -The patients are often in dire need of nutrition education (extreme conditions) -A hospital stay can be rough but I think dietetics (food) can thoroughly explaining what patients can have is rewarding -Catch problems before they happen
Describe your favorite manager. What qualities did you admire? Which qualities do you wish you could change and why?
Dr. Bolton Inspiring, positive, optimistic, and knowledgeable
How do you cope with stress?
I cope with stress in a few different ways. First, I aim to stay ahead and prevent the stress as much as possible. I plan out due dates, responsibilities, etc. so that I am not rushed for time and filled with stress. If I am feeling stressed, I try to find some sort of outlet. Sometimes this looks like deep cleaning the house, going to the gym, or taking a walk. Something to take my mind off of what I may be stressed about.
What do you know about your own learning style? How do you study?
I enjoy hands-on work with practice For exams I create notecards based off of my notes on a website called quizlet and then go over them multiple times to remember. I can access them on my phone so I can study on the light rail or essentially anywhere I also find that watching videos on Khan academy or youtube is helpful as an initial refresher
Do you like working as an individual or with a group? Why?
I enjoy working as a group in certain settings. For example, I am currently working on a group research project, and all of our brains and strong work ethics have made our project come together so nicely and we have been able to enjoy the process. I also enjoy working individually as I feel I am able to get work done quickly and efficiently.
Please describe a patient or client contact you have had in a nutrition related setting. Please describe the setting and tell us, what the most enjoyable aspect? What was the least enjoyable or most challenging aspect?
I have contact with babies and parents in the NICU. I love educating them on basic of breastfeeding including storage guidelines, or how we prepare their milk. I don't like how unpredictable some illnesses can be and having to talk with parents during a really difficult time.
Talk about your ability to learn and function in a variety of settings.
I have had many different jobs since completing my undergraduate degree. In each of these positions, I have adapted to the new role, learned policies and procedures related to my job, and have excelled. This is evident by my promotions through TXRH and my lactation education propelling me to get a job in the Milk lab at CHCO.
How do you like to give/receive feedback?
I try to emphasize both what was done very well and the areas that they could improve upon and find that this is how I enjoy to receive feedback as well I find it is helpful when a person gives me an alternative to what I did. For example, if I am writing a paper and a phrase I use is confusing or doesn't make sense I find it helpful when a person shows me how I could write it to clarify.
Give an example of your critical thinking skills.
I work as a milk tech at CHCO. A recent similac formula recall really put us on our toes in the lab. We had to problem solve with dietitians and providers on what we were going to do with these babies and how we were going to get them their feeds (with short staffing). I was able to recruit nurses and lactation consultants to help us mix feedings for these infants.
What role do you take in group settings?
I would say I am an initiator. I often have new ideas or new ways to approach things. This is very apparent in my role as a milk tech at children's hospital. There are so many policies/procedures related to why we do what we do. But I am always thinking of ways to be more efficient in our day to day by bringing up new ideas to my boss and/or peers.
Give an example of your interpersonal skills.
Much of the jobs and extracurricular activities that I participate require strong interpersonal skills.
Do you have a back-up plan if you do not get into an internship?
My backup plan is --Work at Children's —DTR Certified —Graduate School --Volunteer
What are your professional goals?
My goals are to work as a pediatric dietitian in a clinical setting as well as participate in community nutrition to be able to use my knowledge on breastfeeding as well. I can see myself working as a clinical nutrition manager as I have loved all the leadership roles I have had as a student/employee.
What are your two biggest strengths?
My two biggest strengths are my organizational skills and strong work ethic. At the beginning of each semester I create a detailed plan as to when I need to turn assignments in. This has worked well for all of my group projects as well. I have made shared calendars and been in charge of organizing group meetings for a research project. I have to have some sort of schedule because of the many things I'm involved in. Clubs, school work, volunteer work, lactation clinical hours, and juggling two jobs. Because of this organization, I have been able to excel in school, work, and other activities.
How do you practice professionalism?
Take initiative, be productive, set an example, manage time effectively, provide excellence.
What are your two biggest weaknesses?
The area in my life that I work to improve upon is overcommitting. I enjoy helping people and taking on new tasks but at times it can hinder more than help. I have learned (and am continuing to learn) how to prioritize what is important to me and say no to things that are unrealistic to achieve at this moment. For example, I used to volunteer with at Metro caring, but the increased workload of school made me to reassess my priorities. I decided it would be best for my health and success in school to step down from this volunteer position. I really aim to focus on quality in the areas that are important rather than participate in a multitude of experiences.
