Ask the RD #3 - Katelyn Collins

Today we chatted with Katelyn Collins, RD

Hi Katelyn! Please tell us a little bit about yourself

I consider myself to be a multi-passionate and versatile dietitian. I have worked in nutrition counseling, marketing, communications, and nutrition education. 
After my internship, I did not take the typical route of working in clinical. My first job out of the internship was actually in marketing! I also started my nutrition business while working full-time at the marketing job so I could continue to develop my nutrition counseling skills. 
Currently, my business consists of virtual RD exam tutoring, freelance writing, and integrative nutrition counseling with a specialization in gut health. I also work as an integrative dietitian for a functional medicine doctor in New Jersey. 
I clearly love wearing many hats!

Where did you complete your schooling?

I received my Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers University in New Jersey. I then completed my dietetic internship in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital – the University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell.

What made you decide to become a dietitian?

If you can believe it, I actually wanted to become a dietitian since I was 10 years old! One of our family friends was an RD and she used to host nutrition segments on local access TV. I had digestive issues as a child that continued through college which also fueled my desire to understand how food influences the body.

What is your favorite part about being a dietitian?

I love that there are so many unique opportunities in the field! All the jobs I’ve had so far I have created myself and I encourage students to do the same. 
The other thing that I love is how willing everyone in dietetics is to help each other out!

What is your least favorite part about being a dietitian?

Competing with all of the unreliable information floating around the internet can make nutrition counseling challenging. Working in gut health, I see a lot of clients trying very restrictive diets without supervision and it breaks my heart. This is something I’m actively working to raise awareness about.

What does your average day look like?

Right now, I split my time between my own business and working for a functional medicine doctor. 
On the days that I work in my own business, I may be having a virtual RD Exam tutoring session with an RD2Be, working on a blog article for one of my freelance writing clients, or video chatting with a nutrition client to check in on their gut symptoms. 
The day could also include answering emails, creating social media posts, and bookkeeping (yay for entrepreneurship!) 
No two days are the same when you work for yourself!

What is something you know now that you wish you would have known as a student?

As a student, I thought I was going to go into nutrition research. I’m glad I went for the RD, but it would have been helpful to be exposed to some of the other opportunities available in dietetics earlier on.

You mentioned that you are an RD exam tutor, run a virtual private practice specializing in gut health, work for a functional medicine doctor, and freelance write. How do you balance it all?

Time blocking! This is actually something I teach to my tutoring clients to help them build studying into their day. I use Google Calendar to manage all of my time. Not only do I schedule in clients sessions, but I include time for client prep, writing time, and of course, lunch time! Time blocking helps me be realistic about how much I can accomplish each day.

What inspired you to specialize in digestive health?

I have a personal history of digestive issues that took me until college to get control of. Being able to truly empathize with my nutrition clients really helps set them up for success. I’ve also spent years pouring over the digestive health research and love being able to apply it to help my clients feel better!

What is your favorite part of being an RD exam tutor? 

I love when my clients pass the exam! Getting that “I passed!” call or text message from a brand new RD is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Every RD Exam tutoring client is a puzzle and it’s my job to help figure out how to help them pass the exam.

Do you have a message that you want to share with students?

Stay curious! When you start your internship, you may think that you want to focus on one area of dietetics, but you never know what’s going to spark your interest. Don’t be afraid to follow your passions and blaze your own trail in this field!

Is there anything else you want students to know about you or what you do?

Since there is such a high demand for RD Exam tutoring, I’ve just started offering group classes. You can sign up for the latest one at https://katelyncollinsrd.as.me/RDExamMathClass

Fun fact about yourself!

I love weight lifting! While I don’t work with too many athletes in my current practice, I’m very dialed into the research on nutrition for strength and muscle gains. 
You know you’re a nutrition nerd when you can call reading research a hobby!

Where can students find you?

For RD Exam prep resources, follow me on Instagram @RD2BeTutor 
For my private practice, follow me on Instagram @Healthy.Gut.Nutrition 
Check out my website for my private practice at https://www.katelyncollins.com/ 
To get in touch via email, contact me at Contact@KatelynCollins.com

Thank you, Katelyn!

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