We’re happy to welcome Presley Pettit to our Discover FSHN Series! Presley is a graduate student in the Master of Science-Dietetic Internship program in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at the University of Florida. This year, Presley was the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Outstanding Dietetic Student of the Year, an honor she celebrated at an awards banquet in April. Read on to learn about her dedication to nutrition, her future in pediatric dietetics, and the three foods she would bring to a desert island!

Tell me about your journey to study dietetics. What inspired you to study dietetics?

I actually decided pretty early to study dietetics. When I was 16, I had to write an essay about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I honestly had no idea at the time, so I started doing some research. I had always been interested in the medical field, but I wasn’t sure if being a nurse or doctor was the right thing for me. When I discovered the word “dietitian” for the first time, I was really excited. I had recently gotten into nutrition and was fascinated by the ways food could affect the body, so dietetics seemed like a great way to combine my medical interest with my interest in nutrition.

Looking back, I didn’t really have a good understanding of what a clinical dietitian actually did, but I’m so glad I made the decision to stick with it. Since starting at UF in undergrad, I have loved every nutrition class I’ve taken, and my dietetics journey has only reaffirmed my choice of this major.

Why did you decide to attend UF?

UF was an easy choice for me! Both of my parents went to UF, so I was lucky enough to be raised a Gator. Getting to visit the school and go to football games growing up made me fall in love with the spirit of the school. When I decided to study dietetics, the program at UF just made my school decision more obvious.

I knew that the clinical focus and challenging curriculum would prepare me well for my future career as a registered dietitian. I definitely made the right choice. I have learned so much over the past six years, and the department staff have been nothing but encouraging since the start.

I understand you are the first student to try the department’s pediatric dietetics track! What has the experience been like?

It’s been a really cool experience. I have always worked with kids, so pediatric nutrition has always been an interest of mine. I had already sought out a few pediatric rotations during our practicum at the UF Health Pediatric Feeding Disorders Clinic and the UF Health Pediatric Pulmonary Center, but I did not think a fully pediatric internship was an option.

When Dr. Jeanette Andrade, our program director, first brought up the chance to intern at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, the decision was a no-brainer. Most people only get to spend a week or two working in pediatrics during their internship, so I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to spend most of my rotations at a pediatric hospital.

During my time here, I’ve had the opportunity to rotate through the different units of the hospital to learn and practice in many different specialties such as food service, diabetes, oncology, eating disorders, critical care, and weight management. Pediatric nutrition can be very different from adult nutrition, so these rotations have been so helpful in building my knowledge for my future career. I am learning so much about nutrition care and support for kids of all ages and medical needs.

What are your plans for after graduation?

After graduation, I’m planning on traveling and spending time with my friends and family before taking the RD exam, so I can get licensed as a registered dietitian. Once I am an RD, I will begin working as a float dietitian at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. This position will involve rotating throughout the hospital and different specialties depending on where help is needed most. I can’t wait to officially join this incredible team of dietitians.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to be active: running, yoga, and going on walks with my friends. I am also a coffee fanatic, so I will come up with any excuse to try a new coffee shop. Spending time with the people I love is so important, whether that’s going to the beach, trying a new restaurant, or staying in to watch a movie.

If you were stuck on a desert island with only three foods, which foods would they be and why?

This is really hard. Definitely a jar of peanut butter. It might sound weird, but I eat peanut butter every day, so I think I would struggle if I didn’t have it. I would also want to have some coffee and sushi. (Can I have my own sushi chef on the island with me?)

2