Field Experiences

UMASS Nutrition Association at the Amherst Survival Center

Nutrition students complete field experience in various locations, including UMass, Western Massachusetts, hometowns, and abroad. Students can benefit in many ways from exposure to and experience in the field. These experiences can be on or off campus as one-time volunteer event or by participating in or organizing a program, through mentorship or shadowing a professional, via participation in a research project or through development or implementation of a community service or outreach project. Some of these can be used for credit and others are purely volunteer. We try to connect students with nutrition professionals looking for help but we encourage all of our students to investigate possible field experiences on their own.

Looking for a Field Experience? Download our Field Experience Contact List for ideas.

Independent Study

Students who want to work in the field or complete in-depth independent work in a particular area should contact a faculty member to see if there is any opportunity within the Department of Nutrition for research or other independent work. Sometimes a faculty member can help a student find work off-campus with a preceptor. The faculty sponsor will make sure that the student has established objectives for meaningful learning and criteria for success/evaluation as to what they will be accomplishing for the semester.

Freshmen usually register for NUTRITN 196, Sophomores for NUTRITN 296, Juniors for NUTRITN 396 and Seniors for NUTRITN 496. Each credit is 40 hours of work, per semester, in the field or on a study - approximately 3 hours per week of work for the semester is 1 credit. The project could be research, nutrition education, or service.

The faculty sponsor should meet with the student a few times over the semester to make sure they are progressing in their independent study. Faculty sponsors assign a grade; therefore it is important to make sure there are clear guidelines for the independent study and its assessment. If the student is working on a project with a faculty sponsor, they should be supervised on a weekly basis.

Community Service Learning

Civic Engagement and Service Learning (CESL) through UMass Amherst is a perfect opportunity for Nutrition students to further engage themselves in the community while gaining course credit and valuable experience. CESL offers a variety of programs that range from certificates to community engagement and leadership training. These programs can enhance students’ knowledge and skills in the areas of education, sustainability, health, technology, and leadership. Nutrition students can develop a stronger understanding of social justice issues and cultivate skills that can be used professionally.

To learn more about CESL programs, check out the CESL website.

*Note: These courses are not part of the major requirements. The programs are listed as they may be of interest to nutrition students.*

Civic Engagement and Service Learning (CESL) Programs:

- IMPACT!- Residential Academic Program (RAP) for Incoming Students
- Citizen Scholars Program
- Boltwood Project
- Certificate in Civic Engagement and Public Service
- UMass Alliance for Community Transformation (UACT)
- CESL Student Leaders

Service-Learning Courses: http://cesl.umass.edu/spring-2013-service-learning-courses

Other Programs/Courses that May be of Interest to Nutrition Students

- Five College Community Based Learning (link is external)
- Student Bridges (link is external)
- Adoption Mentoring Partnership
- iCons

Highlighted Program: Citizen Scholars Program

One remarkable program offered through CESL is the Citizen Scholars Program, which is a two-year, academic service-learning program that links real-life experience to academic coursework. This course sequence is a great way to fulfill public health requirements. Please see the courses below that we will accept for our major:

The Good Society - can be used toward the lower level collateral field or the foundation section 2 requirement on the social science track
Tools for Democratic Change - can be used toward the upper level collateral field
Public Policy & Citizen Action* - can be used toward 300-599 Public Health Elective
Organizing: People, Power, and Change* - can be used toward 300-599 Public Health Elective

*These two courses serve as a thesis/project seminar for students enrolled in Commonwealth Honors College. Students interested in this program need to apply, be accepted, and take all four courses.

To Apply Visit: http://cesl.umass.edu/citizenscholars/apply

Study Abroad

International study abroad or a domestic exchange is a great way for a Nutrition student to learn more about global nutrition, and have a terrific experience. But first things first – talk with your Nutrition advisor and figure out if Domestic Exchange or International Study Abroad is possible! Keep in mind that you may have to stay an extra semester or two at UMass Amherst, but completing a minor or secondary major in a foreign language is a great resume builder and also a great skill to have when it comes to working in nutrition and public health.

Student Experiences

Dietetics Track

Ariana Cerro, class of 2016

Diet Aide: Set up tray line, took patient orders, delivered meals to patients
Cooking Matters: Cooking classes and nutrition education for low-income families.
Summer Food Service Project: This is a project funded by the USDA to bring school-aged children up to 18 years old fresh breakfast and lunches all summer long.
Soup Kitchen: Sorted through produce and serve lunch.
NuPlanIt: Independent Study with Cathy Wickham, Nutrition Ph.D. candidate. Conducted focus groups for a Boston-based nutrition counseling mobile app.
FuelUp&Go!: Independent Study with Cathy Wickham, Nutrition Ph.D. candidate. Obesity prevention program in Springfield - nutrition education, physical activity, food tastings.
Nutrition 130 Discussion TA

Nicholas Clarke, class of 2016

Hospital Diet Tech: Reviewed diet orders, menus, and food/drug interactions with patients.
Athletic Nutrition Student Advising Program: Nutrition counseling to UMass student athletes
Shadowed Hospital Dietitian
Shadowed Community Dietitian at Nourish Rx
Big Brothers Big Sisters

Rob Dunn, class of 2016

Athletic Nutrition Student Advising Program: Student director, nutrition counseling to UMass student athletes
UMass Extension Nutrition Education: Promoted USDA healthy eating in low-income communities; data analysis for student surveys
Beth Israel Deaconess: Patient Food Service and Diet Representative
VA Hospital Boston: Nutrition and Dietetics Volunteer
Amherst Medical Center: Nutrition Education Volunteer
Nutrition 352 Honors- Research Project into WIC and Farmers Market
UMass Dining Services
Kin 110 and Nutrition 130 TA

Etana Matatia, class of 2016

Valley Nutrition Counseling Intern, Hadley, MA: Contributed articles to dietitian's blog
Hadassah Hospital Intern, Israel: Assisted nurses in the pediatric oncology ward
Life Care Center of Acton Volunteer
Amherst Survival Center Volunteer: Helped participants choose nutritious foods
UMass Dining Services: Hampshire Dining Sushi Maker

Nutrition and Health Sciences Track

Ashley Genza, class of 2016

YourStory International: Worked with people in Haiti and Mississippi to develop healthy, sustainable communities
Alternative Spring Break: Worked in DC on social justice issues related to poverty
Baystate Hospital: Volunteered in surgical day care
Shadowed a General and a Pediatric Surgeon
Pre-Medical Society: Vice President

Olivia Karcis, class of 2017

EMT-Basic at Eascare Ambulance
Medlife: Provide medical care, education, and development to both local and international communities.
Laboratory Assistant to Dr. Liu: assisted graduate and visiting scholars in experiments researching nutritional epigenetics and obesity-associated inflammation
UMass Emergency Medical Services, EMT-B
Day Surgery Unit Volunteer at Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Laura Winner, class of 2017

The New England Health Center volunteer: elder-care facility; help improve existing patient care programs and engage patients in mental exercises.
Shadowed Physicians at University Health Services
Shadowed Pediatric Cardiologist at Boston Children's Hospital
Research Assistant, Dr. Liu’s Cancer Prevention Lab
Boston Children's Hospital: volunteer in intensive care units
Nutrition 130 TA