RUNNING HEAD: PERSONAL STATEMENT

Personal Statement

Kristen Lassell
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For as long as I can remember, my dad always told me that in order to love something,

you have to first identify yourself with it, allow yourself to be fulfilled by it, and ultimately allow

it to guide you. Throughout my college journey I have increasingly realized the wisdom of his

words: once I developed a love for nutrition, it came to shape in all aspects of my personal and

academic life. Holistically integrating my passion for diet and fitness into my life gives it both

purpose and an enduring motivation to keep chasing my dreams. As I continue my education, I

look forward to expanding the knowledge that I already have and will continue to share my

understanding of dietetics with the world.

My interest for dietetics and fitness began many years ago, but was reinforced when I

realized how much it has impacted my own life. At first I believed the gym was the key to

health, but after hitting a weight plateau I quickly realized that my nutrition was also heavily

involved. Although fitness sparked my interest, my passion for pediatrics is undeniable. My

passion for pediatric nutrition flourished once I became an aunt. I currently have five nephews

and two nieces who are all diverse, especially when it comes to eating habits. Becoming a

dietitian will give me the chance to promote health through education and positive interactions

with children and their parents. My short-term goals are to continue tutoring children within

Latinx community and continuing to participate in more events that serve the youth.

Accomplishing these goals will help enhance my skills as a leader and allow me to work on my

communication skills with the younger population. After passing my RDN exam, I plan to bring

my knowledge to the pediatric community. To me, educating the youth is crucial because I will

be providing them information that will help improve their life forever.

Throughout my undergraduate studies, I have worked in many different environments

that shaped my interpersonal skills, such as team building, leadership, flexibility, and patience.
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As a Fulfillment Center Lead, I have utilized my strengths to drive a team to success, learned

from my opportunities and continued to prove to myself and others than I am a reliable,

persistent asset to the team. I have also immersed myself in many learning experiences in order

to better prepare myself for the upcoming journey of graduate school and the dietetic internship.

In addition to my undergraduate studies and a full-time job, I recently stepped into the role of

President of SAND. I knew this was an opportunity for me to help develop and enhance the club

that opened me with welcome arms when I began attending Marywood University as a transfer

student. After being an active member for a year and a half, I knew that I wanted to step into a

leadership role to bring my ideas for the club to light. Overall, my experiences have improved

my skills, leading me to become a determined, diligent candidate for a successful role in the field

of nutrition and dietetics.

To accomplish my goals, I will depend on my strengths to keep me focused. According to

the Clifton Strengthsfinder test, two of my identified strengths are being futuristic and consistent.

These strengths draw out my courage to make a positive difference in the community. Working a

full-time job, excelling in academics, holding a leadership role in SAND and volunteering

throughout the community prove that I depend heavily on my strengths to keep me motivated.

The demanding nature of the Nutrition and Dietetics Major nurtures my passion and enthusiasm

for the field.

Although my strengths have allowed me to achieve success, it is essential to also

recognize opportunities to improve; mine is with public speaking. A few intentional actions I

have taken to overcome this weakness are becoming the president of SAND, tutoring, and also

becoming a designated trainer at my current job. Although the fear has not gone away, I have

pushed myself out of my comfort zone in order to overcome this weakness.

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Marywood’s dietetic internship is something I have looked into since I realized dietetics

was the path for me. Once I began attending school here, I knew this was where I belonged for

the sole fact that everyone on campus made me feel welcomed and the education fit my learning

styles. Being able to stay on-site is something I look forward to because I have made this area

my home, and would take pride in sharing my knowledge throughout the community.

Before choosing dietetics, I had chosen a different career path that I believed would be

the best option. After years in the biological field, I was able to confirm my interest in the human

body, but shifted interest to solely focus on nutrition. Now that I have had the chance to discover

the important aspects of my life, I am certain that dietetics is the path for me. I am eager to see

the opportunities that this career has to offer, and am determined to show the world how I can be

an asset to the field of nutrition and dietetics.