Teressa Rowley

Personal Statement
It was a combination of things that sparked it. I did not know that I would ever find the path
meant for me, but over the past few years I have become confident that a career in dietetics is my
vocation. Naturally, learning must precede everything I do, and learning in dietetics is not easy. It
encompasses large floods of clinical information and extensive study. Several themes in my life make
me well suited for a career in dietetics: a history of farming, a desire to improve the lives of others, and
a fascination with food. Dietetics is an admirable specialty with individuals who love to learn and
teach. Experiences in my life all add up to a profession in dietetics.
I grew up on a dairy in Petaluma, California, which is now a beef cattle and organic, free-range
chicken ranch. I live on a farm blessed with fruit tree orchards, a luscious garden, and a vineyard of
pinot noir grapes. Early on, I was taught to acknowledge the importance of work and what can come of
it. Through tasks such as milking cows daily, vaccinating calves, and placing delicate eggs into crates,
I learned dedication, ethics, and the value of hard work. In a lifestyle like this you must be flexible, as
every day brings new challenges. Identifying problems and taking initiative to improve them is
necessary. My love for food, and dedication to wholesome, real products comes from this life, for I
have lived the slogan from farm to table. My desire to care for others has also risen from this
lifestyle. The importance of teamwork and trust is vital on a farm, just as it is in the multidisciplinary
health care environment.
The experiences I have gained through work and volunteering provide a platform for
transferable skills unique to me. Throughout my life I had subconsciously made choices in the
direction of food and nutrition. My first job was as a retail sales clerk at a French bakery. There I
developed excellent customer service skills, a sense of responsibility, and learned procedures important
to the food industry. A few years later I worked at a health club while attending my local community
college. At the gym my responsibilities grew as I cared for children in the childcare center along with
managing the front desk. Later on, when offered a job as office manager and bookkeeper for a flower
business, I felt intimidated by the position, but accepted the challenge having confidence in my ability
to learn quickly and retain information. I soon became proficient in spreadsheets, data entry,
accounting, and payroll. I began working at a local creamery shortly after, where I was able to expand
my independence through coordinating special events and managing farmers markets. While attending
UC Davis, I was employed as a host for a fine dining restaurant. After only three months I worked my
way up to become a waitress. One must have excellent multitasking and communication skills to be an
efficient server. Through these jobs I learned how I work, and what works for me. I no longer feel
intimidated by challenges; instead I welcome them as learning opportunities. When something is

difficult for me, I will not stop working until I feel confident that I understand the dynamics of the
initial problem. This mindset has allowed me to be successful in all jobs I have held.
The more humbling side of my work experience is composed of volunteering at the Sonoma
Developmental Center and for Meals on Wheels. My aunt was severely mentally disabled and lived at
the Sonoma Developmental Center. This is a large, state-run facility serving the needs of people with
developmental disabilities. I volunteered for many years visiting patients and fundraising for the
center. Being surrounded by individuals in worse and better conditions than my aunt, has prepared me
to work in a clinical setting. Further, through UC Davis I held an unpaid internship with the Elderly
Nutrition Program of Yolo County, Meals on Wheels. I was exposed to the concealed state of many
individuals who cannot care for themselves. The Meals on Wheels volunteers are caring and selfless
and provide food to millions of elderly shut-ins. The opportunity to work with less fortunate people,
challenged by age, health, or economics, was gratifying and empowering.
My drive to continue learning has allowed me the confidence to pursue new opportunities.
Through my community college I studied abroad in Florence, Italy for three months. I had never lived
away from home, let alone traveled to another country. Being submersed in a different culture, while
attending school and living on my own was hard, but it made me a more independent and confident
person. I absorbed the culture around me, and noticed the significance of food to Italian people. Food
is the meaning of life, it brings people together, its about comfort and compassion. Food is not just our
daily sustenance, but truly has a more profound meaning that connects us all. Thus, my primary
professional goal is to become a dietitian and form relationships with people through food.
The incident that solidified my desire to become a dietitian was one unlike any other
experience I previously faced. For months my father had problems walking on his tender feet, he
fought extreme thirst and struggled with frequent urination. Just last year he was diagnosed with
uncontrolled Type II Diabetes. He was always the one who would taste my fresh baked goods, and he
loved his beer. After his diagnosis and multiple visits with a registered dietitian, he had cured
himself with diet and lifestyle changes alone. He was soon off medications after cutting down on
concentrated sweets, carbohydrate foods, and beer. I became very involved with my dads health,
leading to a strong interest in the mechanisms of insulin signaling and glucose metabolism. Through
my dad I saw the importance of care through education, leading to control of the circumstances and
better health.
In the future I hope to become a Certified Diabetes Educator. I enjoy working toward long-term
goals as they keep me current in literature and practice. But first, I have a few short-term goals I plan
to accomplish. A top priority of mine is to be immersed in a clinical setting and get experience in a
hospital environment. This has been a limiting factor in my learning, since I live in a very competitive

college town with minimal clinical openings. I also want to overcome my tendency of becoming
stressed. My need to do well and be perfect in all aspects of my life can bring unnecessary tension. But
I believe that some amount of stress is important for performance, and having something to improve on
provides direction for advancement and success. Another ambition I have is to attend a culinary
program and become a certified chef. I love to cook and bake and I believe this could be integrated into
a career in dietetics.
In additional to the life experiences that have shaped me into the woman I am today, I believe
that my drive to continue learning and push for more has brought me to where I am today. If I hadnt
set my mind to doing all that I have done, I would have never gotten to where I am now. Along the
way I may have said this is impossible or I cant do it but even then did I push though and was
always able to do what I had to do and be successful in the end. I now believe that if you set your mind
to it, and you work hard, you really can do anything; you just have to want it bad enough. I feel so
lucky to have found the career that is perfect for me and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead
of me.