Alanna O'Keefe, from Bradford, NH, graduated this year with her M.S. in nutrition with dietetic internship. She also earned her B.S. in nutrition: dietetics with a dual major in ecogastronomy at UNH in 2022. Alanna shared her experience as a COLSA graduate student and what's next for her.
What do you love about your program?
I love the hands-on opportunities built into the program that allowed me to utilize the skills we learned in the classroom. From teaching labs and engaging in research, to providing one-on-one nutrition counseling and community education, this program gave me the confidence I needed in my skillset to pursue whatever path I choose within the field of nutrition.
Why did you choose UNH?
I chose to return to UNH for graduate school because I appreciated the supportive community and faculty. I also appreciate that at UNH, nutrition shares a department with agriculture/food system programs, highlighting the sometimes forgotten connection between agriculture and our diet.
How would you describe the in-person learning experience and its impact on the quality of your education?
The in-person learning experience at UNH is welcoming, engaging, and collaborative. This positively impacted the quality of my education and sharpened my public speaking skills, as classes often featured dynamic discussions about complex topics.
How have the teaching, training, and one-on-one mentoring by faculty benefited you?
The teaching, training, and one-on-one mentoring by faculty has affirmed the confidence I have in my ability to make an impact in my field. By encouraging growth, and cheering me on as I strived for additional opportunities during my graduate experience I was able to achieve much more in these past two years than I thought was possible. I couldn’t have done it without the faculty who supported and believed in me!
How has your experience been customized based on your career goals?
This experience has been customized based on my career goals by providing me with a diverse array of experiences to help me decide where exactly I fit into the field of nutrition. I was allowed to tailor some internship experiences towards key areas I was interested in, such as research or community education.
What do you plan to do with your degree?
With my degree, I plan to become a registered dietitian and help others prevent or manage chronic disease through dietary approaches, whether that be in a community or clinical setting. Someday, I’d love to pursue a career in education and help inspire the next generation of nutrition professionals!
Finally, tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself.
I have a passion for growing food as well as studying it! In the warmer months, you’ll usually find me in the garden.
