During my third year at university I initiated my mentoring journey with three  first-year dietetic students. This entailed various meetings for coffees, walks and online through Teams calls. I helped navigate these students through all the new, exciting, and unknown adventures of first year Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics. Through this experience I gained a unique perspective through reflection. As I answered my mentee's questions, I realised just how much I've learned since starting university. I felt a sense of pride as I now have a broader range of advice to offer. The experience of passing on my knowledge was empowering, enlightening, and deeply reflective. Mentoring provides a fantastic opportunity to practice effective communication, which is key in helping me convey my insights in a way that was meaningful for my mentees. This experience taught me how much I have gained throughout my academic journey and has shown me the value of reflecting on my growth. I plan to mentor more students in the future to continue growing.

This year, I volunteered at the Open Day for the Nutrition and Dietetics program and answered questions from prospective students and their families. My role was to provide information to individuals considering a career in dietetics. During the volunteering I felt quite nostalgic and was reminded of my own struggles when deciding on a career path. I used my subjective experiences to empathise with their hesitation and answered their questions confidently. I felt proud of my ability to offer clarity and realised how much I’ve grown both in knowledge, confidence, and communication skills. It reinforced my passion for dietetics and my desire to inspire others. This experience highlighted how far I have come in my journey, both academically and personally. I also learnt how crucial guidance can be during such formative times. I aim to continue improving my communication skills and seek further opportunities to mentor prospective students in the future.

This developmental experience was a series of online Skillshare courses on various and complex elements of social media. Initially, I found social media daunting, but the lessons broke it down into manageable steps, making it feel achievable. I felt empowered to overcome self-doubt and limitations, translating each lesson into actionable ideas for my niche. This sparked countless ideas and left me eager to practice. It felt relieving to have this excitement replace the anxiety and apprehension I once felt about being online. I learned how to streamline media creation processes and align them with my personal goals of nutrition education. I plan to focus on uploading a social media post, knowing that a solid understanding makes showing up online less intimidating.

During this year at university, I attended my first aged care placements where I had the opportunity to work closely with elderly residents, many of whom faced complex medical and nutritional challenges. The setting required not only clinical expertise but also empathy, adaptability, and effective communication to ensure the care provided was both patient-centred and evidence-based. My primary responsibility to evaluate residents' nutritional status. This included identifying malnutrition risks, developing tailored nutrition interventions, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. I diligently applied my knowledge of pathophysiology and clinical nutrition to assess underlying conditions such as dysphagia, diabetes, and unintentional weight loss. To ensure a thorough and patient-centred approach, I engaged residents in discussions about their eating habits, preferences, and goals. This experience reaffirmed my love for the clinical side of dietetics, particularly the problem-solving aspect of addressing complex medical conditions through nutrition. I aim to further develop my clinical skills by taking on opportunities that challenge my critical thinking, such as future courses like pharmacology and nutrition through the life cycle.

This year, I took part in interprofessional learning within simulated settings and it has been a transformative experience, enhancing my understanding of collaborative healthcare practice. Engaging with peers from diverse professional backgrounds allowed me to appreciate the unique skills, perspectives, and contributions each discipline brings to patient care. This environment encouraged open communication, mutual respect, and the development of shared goals, which are crucial for effective teamwork. The simulated scenarios provided a safe space to practice and refine my clinical and communication skills, enabling me to explore my role as a dietitian while gaining insights into others' roles. This experience has deepened my confidence in working collaboratively and reinforced the significance of interprofessional teamwork in achieving optimal patient outcomes.

This year I worked in a team to create a public health project in the Murweh Shire, addressing food insecurity and obesity through short-term food relief. This experience allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in program planning, policy development, and community engagement. The initiative required careful consideration of socio-ecological factors, such as food accessibility, cultural norms, and economic barriers, while balancing immediate needs with long-term sustainability. Collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including local businesses, health professionals, and community leaders, highlighted the intricate process of aligning various priorities and resources. This experience challenged me to think critically and creatively while navigating policy constraints and logistical challenges. I came to appreciate the interconnectedness of program planning and policy in driving impactful public health outcomes. Moving forward, I plan to build on this experience by enhancing my skills in stakeholder engagement and policy advocacy to develop more effective and inclusive interventions.

Attending webinars, masterclasses, and research presentations has been an enriching experience, offering diverse insights from industry professionals that have shaped my understanding of the dynamic possibilities within dietetics. Through these I have been exposed to non-traditional career paths that resonated deeply, emphasising the importance of aligning with my authentic self and reminding me that, while the field may feel rigid at times, there is ample room for individuality and creativity. This realisation has been empowering, as it affirmed my ability to bring a unique flair to my career while maintaining adherence to best practices. Engaging with a research presentation on advanced clinical nutrition provided a tangible understanding of the depth and impact of research in advancing dietetics, making the world of clinical study feel both accessible and exciting. Additionally, webinars on effective communication and safe social media practices underscored the importance of building trust, fostering professional connections, and maintaining integrity in online spaces. These experiences collectively inspired me to embrace my authenticity and approach the profession with curiosity and openness, recognising the value of personal growth, creativity, and evidence-based practice in building a distinctive and meaningful career.

As part of my continual professional development, I listen to podcasts on nutrition related topics during my daily activities to stay engaged in the community and keep up to date on nutrition issues. I find this practice motivating and achievable, as it allows me to participate in staying up to date while doing things I find myself doing every day. In the past, I have felt guilty for not being able to make the time for added learning due to a remarkably busy schedule This practice is empowering as I am able to stay committed and educated without feeling overwhelmed, alleviating that guilt. Additionally, I feel more aware about cultural safety and how to incorporate this into my practice. I will continue to seek out new podcasts to broaden my knowledge, ensuring that I consistently fit learning and cultural awareness seamlessly into my routine.