Mallory Hansen
We sat down with Mallory Hansen - a student in UC's Nutrition and Dietetics Program. She shared her experience and gave some advice for Nutrition and Dietetic's future bearcats.
Mallory Hansen, 4th year Nutrition and Dietetics student
What do you enjoy doing outside of class, schoolwork, work, observation, etc.?
In my free time, I enjoy going to the campus recreation, attending Hot Yoga classes at Body Alive, finding new trails to run on, and exploring new areas of Cincinnati with my boyfriend and friends.
Are you involved in any student organizations? What has your experience been in those organizations?
I am involved in the Student Dietetic Association on campus. This past school year I was honored to be elected the vice president of the organization. As the vice president of SDA, I hosted the Dining with UC Dietetics podcast and organized the Mentorship Program we offer to students. Both of these responsibilities were very successful throughout the year, and I am looking forward to seeing the new executive board fulfill these duties
What are your career goals and why?
As a student studying nutrition and dietetics, I aim to graduate and pass the registered dietitian exam in the Summer of 2025. From there, I hope to land a job in the pediatric clinical setting. As of right now, I have a strong interest in specializing in renal after seeing how nutrition positively impacted a family member’s kidney failure for several years.
You are in the Accelerated program, what has been the value of this program for you?
My experience thus far in the program has exceeded all my standards. By combining our courses with the required supervised practice hours, we can obtain our undergraduate degree and master’s degree in 5 years. The university has established great connections with preceptors, so students do not have to stress about finding an accredited site to obtain their supervised practice hours. Specifically, Cincinnati Children’s will be accepting a limited number of students they find value in to participate in a 16-week rotation which will be a great opportunity for those interested in pediatrics, like me. I admire my professors and their determination to watch and help their students grow both in and outside the nutrition field.
What types of hands-on experiences have you been able to gain in the program?
The opportunities UC has exposed me to have allowed me to stay motivated as a student. It can be easy to feel as though you are falling behind, but UC has done a great job of providing connections that will set their students up for success down the road. I am always trying to find new ways to grow my network, and UC has made this easy.
What impact do you hope to have in the lives of your patients or in your field?
As a future registered dietitian, I hope I can help patients manage and potentially cure their disease states through medical nutrition therapy.
Is there any advice you would like to give a prospective student?
Try your best not to compare yourself to your peers. We all have different aspirations, which means we have different milestones we will need to reach for success.