Student Corner Interview

Lara Engler
Sports Nutrition
Undergraduate, Drexel University

Lara, please introduce yourself.   

I am Lara Engler from Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. During high school I was a varsity field hockey and soccer player as well as a student athletic trainer. Currently, I am a senior at Drexel University in Philadelphia, majoring in Nutrition and Food Science. I plan to graduate in June 2006.

Describe your assignment from Drexel and how you set-up the experience.

My goal was to complete Drexel's required Co-Operational Education Program (co-op) from April to September, 2005. Under this program, a student switches from full-time classroom studies to six months of full-time work experience with a business or organization approved by the University. Goals of the co-op are for students to gain experience in an area of interest and to position Drexel students a step ahead of others upon graduation.

Although Drexel maintains a list of co-op sites, none were in nutrition. Since I wanted experience in sports nutrition, I decided to do an independent search. I contacted local RDs in Philadelphia as well as RDs and company reps I had met at FNCE 2004 in Anaheim, CA.  Additionally, I emailed Patti Steinmuller, MS, RD, SCAN's Secretary, and explained the co-op program and my interest in an experience in Colorado Springs. Patti arranged a contact with Dave Ellis, RD, CSCS, Sports Dietitian. Dave and I corresponded, molded some ideas together, and in April, I packed up my stuff and moved to Colorado Springs, CO.

My advice: Don't be afraid to ask for something you want. The worst that could happen is to receive "no" for a response. On the other hand, an opportunity of a lifetime can be yours!

What were your personal goals? Were they achieved? Did anything occur beyond your expectations?

To be honest, I didn't set many goals. Since I wasn't exactly sure what I was getting into, my goals weren't specific. I did, however, want to gain more nutritional knowledge, find out what a sports dietitian does and how to become one, meet new people, and lastly, have fun. All my goals were achieved, and then some. While working with Dave, I met Paul Goldberg, MS, RD, CSCS*D, USAW, Bob Seebohar, MS, RD, CSCS, and Rob Skinner, MS, RD, CSCS. I have never felt so privileged to work with such a great group of people. It was educational and interesting to hear their strategies and differences of opinion. Also, Mark Stephenson, CSCS, ACT, Shane Domer, MEd, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, and Mike Barnes, MEd, CSCS*D, NSCA-CPT helped expand my knowledge in strength and conditioning. I started off barely knowing subject and now plan to master it.

From the advice I received I have been able to sculpt a plan for my future in sports nutrition. The main points include: becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), graduating with a baccalaureate degree in Nutrition and Food Science, completing a dietetic internship while completing a Master's degree in Exercise Science, becoming a Registered Dietitian, and lastly, attaining CDR Board Certification as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD).

What did you do in your sports nutrition experience?

I assisted Dave Ellis with the following:

            -  developing a sports nutrition educational CD-ROM
            -  conducting body composition measurements of athletes using a Bod Pod
               (airdisplacement plethysmography)

I volunteered at the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) headquarters. 

            - taught/corrected/observed athletes' Olympic lifts
            - ran dynamic warm-ups
            - helped athletes through their programs
            - witnessed training and conditioning of the local SWAT team and National League
              Hockey players
            - provided nutritional assistance to athletes (weight gain, weight loss, nutritional
              health)
            - became familiar with New Leaf VO2 Max and Dartfish video analysis

I volunteered at Carmichael Training Systems (CTS).

            - researched nutrition information for the editors of the CTS Nutrition Newsletter
            - assisted with writing articles for the CTS Newsletter under the direction of Fiona
              Lockhart, CTS Pro Coach, NSCA-CSCS

Were you financially compensated for your any of the work or did you work as a volunteer? Did you receive feedback regarding your performance?

All my work was volunteered but the knowledge and experience I received in return was far greater then being paid. Every day was filled with new and exciting information for which I gladly volunteered my time. Since I worked closely with everyone, I was constantly shown easier and better ways to improve my skills. This holds true when I was teaching in the in weight room, working the Bod Pod, and even writing articles. This continuous feedback allowed me to improve my work performance.

What were your most satisfying experiences?

- Picking the brains of Dave Ellis, Paul Goldberg, Rob Skinner, Mark Stephenson, Shane Domer and Mike Barnes was truly satisfying and educational. I enjoyed hearing their thoughts and opinions on different topics and how they would handle various situations. I learned a lot even as I listened to them in casual conversation. Most importantly, they offered great advice that has changed my career goals and my future. Their advice opened me to the "real world."

- Attending Symposiums on Periodization, Youth, and Essentials at the NSCA headquarters in Colorado Springs and a NSCA National Conference in Las Vegas. The sessions were excellent and were presented by top professionals, some of whom I had the opportunity to meet.

- One of my most exciting experiences was assisting in the NSCA weight room, staying "cool", while 38 NHL hockey players trained for tryouts for the US Olympic team. Members of the local SWAT team were training at NSCA the same time. The interaction of these professional athletes and law officers was interesting to watch and encouraged them to intensify their workouts.

What have you gained from this experience that will benefit you in the future?

While at NSCA, I worked in the challenging world of figure skating. Similar to gymnastics and diving, athletes are judged on appearance as well as performance. As a result, a slim stature is ideal. A few of these athletes were advised to drop some weight even though they were not over-weight, or even heavy. Some of them exhibited disordered eating behaviors. I learned how registered dietitians counsel these athletes. This information provided me with practical ideas for working with individuals who exhibit disorders of eating and body image. These topics will be addressed in my senior year.

Because I now know my career goals and have an idea on how to get there, I feel much better prepared for my senior year. I know where I am applying for a dietetic internship and I know what I have to accomplish to get there. In addition, I feel I am a step ahead of my classmates in terms of what to expect from the "real world of sports dietetics."

Has this experience affected your career goals? If so, how?

This experience has not only changed my goals, but also changed my life.  Before I fulfilled this co-op I was planning on graduating, completing a dietetic internship, becoming a Registered Dietitian, and hoping to work in a sports environment. Now I have specific goals to achieve. I realize that understanding exercise physiology and becoming a strength and conditioning coach  will strengthen my knowledge and ability to work in sports nutrition. I will be better prepared to advise athletes and gain respect from coaches, trainers, and other strength coaches. My career goals are clear. I know the things I want to do as well as the things I don't wish to do.

Would you recommend a similar experience to other students? If yes, why?

Yes, most definitely! Exposure to real life situations better prepares students for the future. This experience can help students decide whether to pursue a specific field before finishing college or entering a dietetic internship. Observing and working with professionals is priceless. They have experienced everything first-hand and can offer advise and easier routes. 

Knowing the athlete's sport, how the athlete trains, how the body works, and the principles of strength and conditioning is critical for a sports dietitian to develop practical nutrition strategies for specific athletes.

Lastly, the networking opportunities are phenomenal! You will come in contact with many people who may be able to help you later. But it's up to you to establish a continuous relationship with them. If you chose to utilize these opportunities they can have great benefits. Take advantage.

Is there anything else about this experience that you would like to share with other students?

Listen to everyone's advice. At times they may be contradicting, but this will minimize 'real world' surprises. As I stated earlier, I have never felt so privileged to work with such a great group of people.