Ilse Moreno, a senior in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics at the University of Idaho, will discuss her experience and perspectives at the third episode of the Pre-Health Student Speaker Series, Jan. 20.
Moreno is a sixth-year student at UI, graduating in 2019 with her undergraduate in food and nutrition, who immediately started getting involved in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. She is currently completing her last semester, and recently started an internship for Gritman, doing clinical nutrition and diabetes education. Upon completing the internship, she plans to switch to Food Service Management at Gritman.
Moreno has been passionate about healthy eating and fitness since high school but was unsure of what she wanted to study when she started college.
“It wasn’t until my sophomore year that I took a nutrition class,” Moreno said. “I was finally like, ‘Okay, this is really interesting. Let’s go from here and see what happens.’”
One of Moreno’s professors advised her that if she wanted greater opportunities in the field, the dietetics program was the best route. Moreno signed up for it, unaware of what it was or what to expect, and has found her passion along the way. Moreno’s interest sparked when she began focusing on the social injustices regarding perspectives of health and nutrition, and how certain body types are perceived.
“This needs to be talked about and people need to know the facts,” Moreno said. “I’m really passionate about redefining what the word healthy means.”
At the Student Speaker event, Moreno plans on addressing these injustices, as well as walking people through the process of what becoming a dietician looks like, the projects they can expect to work on, and more. She will also be addressing what kind of jobs are offered in the future, and her personal experience.
“I want to tell people what I wanted to know when I was in their shoes,” Moreno said. “I want to tell people what my experience has been. It will be super casual.”
Moreno voiced her excitement for the event and her anticipation for questions people will ask. She is enthusiastic to provide the bigger picture to everyone.
“I like sharing the information,” she said. “But I’m interested to know what these younger students are maybe nervous about or want more clarification on. I would love to expand the field of dietetics because it’s a very small profession.”
Moreno’s advice to people who may not know exactly what they want to do, or major in, is that it is perfectly okay to not know.
“Find a class that you really like, or figure out what you like to talk about,” Moreno said. “I could talk about nutrition all day. And don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.”
Moreno also mentioned that if anyone has even the slightest urge to see what the program is about, she recommends joining the event. She wants to share the impact the dieticians have, and their role in society with as many people as possible.
“(Dieticians) can provide lots of helpful things to people across the board,” she said. “Whether you’re average Joe, or you’re someone who has a chronic health condition, we can help anyone.”
You can join the Zoom event and interact in the Q&A with Moreno, Jan. 20 at 5 p.m., with this link: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/86752871610.
Bailey Brockett can be reached at [email protected].