Life After the DI: Lessons and Insights from New RDs

Written By Deanna Belleny
 
 

In this Season 5 episode of Feed Me the Facts, we sit down with Cassidy Sharp, PhD, RDN and Yan Jing Phay, MPH, RDN—two recent graduates of the Diversify Dietetics Internship—to unpack what the reality of transitioning from dietetic intern to practicing RD truly looks like. Cassidy, a maternal and child health dietitian and researcher, and Yan, a clinical dietitian serving diverse patients in Detroit, share candid reflections about their first months as credentialed dietitians.

We explore the emotional roller coaster of passing the RD exam, navigating job searches, managing cultural and linguistic differences, and stepping into roles that require far more counseling, confidence, and compassion than expected. Both RDs open up about challenges specific to being early-career dietitians of color—including representation, self-doubt, and learning to trust their expertise.

Whether you're a current student, future RD, or dietitian early in your career, this conversation offers grounded, realistic insights into growth, identity, and thriving in the first year as an RD.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Finding Their Way Into Dietetics (00:00)
    How Cassidy transitioned from food science to a combined PhD + RD path, and how Yan’s experience with an eating disorder led her to pursue nutrition and eventually her MPH in dietetics.

    Navigating Internships, Visa Barriers, and the Exam (06:00)
    Yan’s high-pressure experience as an international student balancing visa constraints, timelines, and finances — and Cassidy’s journey finishing a PhD while completing supervised practice.

    The First Months as New Dietitians (09:00)
    That surreal moment of becoming “an RD,” the pressure that follows, and the emotional and mental shift required when stepping into professional roles.

    What They Wish They’d Known Earlier (12:00)
    How understanding program options, timelines, and pacing could have reduced stress — and why patience with yourself matters.

    Surprising Moments in Early Practice (17:00)
    From unexpected counseling dynamics to navigating complex clinical encounters, they share the “no one taught me this in school” moments.

    A Look Into Their Day-to-Day Roles (20:00)
    Cassidy’s work at WIC and upcoming research position, and Yan’s acute care clinical responsibilities, charting, interdisciplinary communication, and patient education.

    Why Representation Still Matters (24:00)
    How being one of few dietitians of color in their settings impacts patient trust, shapes their learning curves, and highlights the need for culturally humble care.

    Career Growth and What’s Next (28:00)
    Maternal and child health goals, MNT literacy, teaching aspirations, breastfeeding support training, and weaving research into practice.

    Advice for Future Dietitians (30:00)
    Set your own pace. Stop comparing. Know why you want this career. Stay grounded in something beyond school and work.

    Resources & Links:

📌 Connect with Yan:
LinkedIn: Yan Jing Fe, MPH, RDN

📌 Connect with Cassidy:
Email: cassiebsharp@gmail.com

🎙️ Stay connected with Feed Me The Facts:

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🎧 Listen now on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Deanna Belleny
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