Jacqueline Carter

When Jackie Carter started eating healthier, exercising regularly, and posting about it online, she received lots of messages from social media connections with questions about diet and workouts.  

It was exciting — she loves to talk about the health benefits of different foods — but she wanted the formal education and credentials that would make her truly qualified to offer nutrition guidance. So, after 15 years as a certified nursing assistant in a long-term care facility, Carter enrolled at Russell Sage College with a goal to become a Registered Dietician Nutritionist.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science in spring 2024 and will begin Russell Sage’s combined Applied Nutrition master’s degree and Dietetic Internship in fall 2024.  

What attracted you to Russell Sage College for your nutrition education?

As an older adult who is already working and raising a child, it is important for me to stay in this area. I have also always been a fan of smaller class sizes. For me personally, it is easier to focus and absorb information in smaller classes. I feel like it is easier to build relationships with professors when there are smaller class sizes. 

What classes, professors, or experiences from Sage have especially inspired you?

Assistant Professor of Nutrition Martha Wasserbauer and Instructor of Nutrition Eileen Lindemann have been very understanding and supportive. I love how they love what they are teaching. You can tell they enjoy what they do and have a genuine interest in what they teach. 

Because I am interested in the clinical side of nutrition in a hospital or long-term care, I always find it interesting when Professor Wasserbauer brings up things she has seen during her clinical experience. That kind of stuff really grabs my attention and makes me excited for the future. I think I will really enjoy helping people through nutrition. 

I find it so interesting how my classes connect. The science behind everything is fascinating and also keeps my attention!

How is Sage preparing you to meet your career goals?

I have worked in long-term care for so long, and I am interested in continuing to work in long-term care. Working in a hospital also interests me. I am excited to experience some of the different fields dietetics has to offer during my internship. 

There are so many different classes that prepare us for the broad field of dietetics –  from community nutrition, to medical nutrition therapy, and quantity food production. 

Alumni have presented to us about what they do in the field. We have also had current Dietetic Interns come to class and share how their experience is going. 

We attended an interprofessional education case conference, which gave us the opportunity to discuss treatment of ALS [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis] from an interprofessional team perspective with future healthcare professionals who are going to school for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nursing. 

The Nutrition program requires volunteer hours. I have volunteered at The Sylvia Center’s Learning Garden at Katchkie Farm [a nonprofit that offers nutrition-focused programs for youth] and with the regional food bank, as well as with a summer meals nutrition research project. 

The projects and presentations I’ve done in class have challenged me but now I do feel more prepared to do things like that in the future. They have definitely promoted growth for me personally and in my field of study!