Feng Z. MS, RDN, CDN
Feng Z. MS, RDN, CDN
Ready to take the next step?
M.S. Nutrition, Class of 2020
I obtained both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Brooklyn College. I also completed the dietetic internship at Brooklyn College, which eventually led me to my dream career as a registered dietitian nutritionist. As I reflected back on my journey, it was such an invaluable experience to be an undergraduate and graduate student in the nutrition program at Brooklyn College. About a decade ago, I immigrated to the United States with my parents from China. I started as a transfer student at Brooklyn College. Before I applied for the undergraduate nutrition program, I did research and found out that the nutrition curriculum at Brooklyn College was most aligned with my academic and career goals. Therefore, I made Brooklyn College my first choice. The most important thing leading me to select the master’s program in nutrition at Brooklyn College is the supportive community. I was able to receive support from my nutrition professors,academic advisors, tutors in the Learning Center, my classmates and friends on the campus. Because of their great influence on my life and my work, I made my second choice to attend Brooklyn College to further my education.
Since the entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist requirement will be elevated to the graduate degree on January 1, 2024, my master’s degree earned from Brooklyn College will be a tremendous help in keeping me competitive in this field. In addition, the advanced degree will provide me with more job opportunities, from clinical nutrition, community education and even scientific research. I am looking forward to exploring different opportunities as a registered dietitian nutritionist. I believe that all the experience in my life will make a difference and prepare me for success.
According to the World Health Organization, health is defined as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” I believe that integrative medicine, putting patients at the center, and addressing their health conditions in the full range of physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and environmental factors will be the future gold standard of medicine. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, my future career plan is to work in an integrative care center or a private practice community. I would like to collaborate with a wide range of health professionals, including physicians, acupuncturists, herbal medicine practitioners, and mind-body therapists, in order to help people to regain and maintain their optimum health.
I would like to share my about my internship with the Health Research Training Program which is part of NYC Department of Health. Given my background speaking Mandarin Chinese and interest in research, I was matched with the Bureau of Harlem Neighborhood at NYC DOHMH. In 2017, I started the internship and worked with my preceptors on projects focusing on food insecurity and health disparities among Chinese American residents in the Harlem neighborhood. I co-presented a poster about the needs assessment of East Harlem residents of Chinese origin at the New York City Epidemiology Forum at New York University. One of the projects I have been participating in since 2018 is a Foodways study. I have had the opportunity to work with the research team in the East Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center at NYC DOHMH and participate in their research paper on food insecurity in East Harlem. Given my personal experience, I would highly recommend incoming students to apply for internships, which are not only a great way of exploring your potential, but also giving back to the community and helping out others.
These are Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)-accredited Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) and Dietetic Internship (DI) programs. After successfully completing the DPD and DI programs, students will be eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians. This is the unique route that helped me to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. Besides that, I like the variety of job, internship, and volunteer opportunities recommended and provided by the nutrition department for dietetic students.
I would describe Brooklyn College as a vibrant and welcoming community. As a transfer student speaking English as a second language, I received enormous support and encouragement from the staff/faculty. Particularly, the Learning Center and Magner Career Center are my “must-visit” places on campus. The staff there are so helpful in terms of academic support and career development. I would not have achieved my goals without their guidance.
I would recommend the Health & Nutrition Science club, which you can follow on Instagram @bcNutritionClub. The club holds a variety of monthly events, including the Nutrition Journal Club, TalkShop, Meal Prep workshop, and meditation, as well as the BC Food Pantry Days serving students who are food insecure. If you are interested in food and health, this is definitely the place to immerse yourself in the field of nutrition and connect to people who share the same interests.
There may be times—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic—when you will face difficulties, question your choices, and become afraid of the unknown in terms of managing your work/study/life balance. If you are working in the nutrition program at Brooklyn College, a supportive group, including professors, advisors, and peers, will always be there to patiently listen to your challenges, understand your needs, and help you overcome obstacles. Although unknowns can be challenging at this special time, I would like to encourage you to embrace unknowns as they can also be new opportunities to transform your life. When you stay focused on your goals and pursue your dreams, unknowns will not be a hindrance but instead a source of opportunity and growth.
