Are you emailing about becoming an RD or would like to know more about being a registered dietitian? Great! Please read the blurb below the contact form BEFORE emailing.
Emailing about being a guest poster? Please note I am not accepting guest posts at this time.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
For those emailing me about dietetics, a bit of friendly advice:
I get several dozen emails a week related to THIH, about 1/3-1/2 of which are from people interested in becoming a registered dietitian. I love every email I receive, and I answer all of them.
I’ll say it again: I answer each and every one of these emails. It takes a lot of time, but I don’t mind spending it. I had the benefit of advice and guidance from wonderful, stupendous, incredible, helpful, *every positive adjective you can think of* RDs when I was researching the dietetics career. I’m very, very happy to return the favor.
There’s one trend I’m not so crazy about, though. I understand some of you came across THIH by searching for “how to become an RD” or “day in the life of an RD” and fired off an email right that minute. And that’s fine. I’ll get back to you in a day or two.
I don’t expect everyone who emails me to be familiar with my website. It may not be your cup of tea, or my weird sense of humor may turn you off. If you want to ask me about how the cartoons are done or why Subway’s sandwiches are so darn tasty, I don’t care if you address me as “Peter” or “Lanette” (and yes, I’ve had both of those). You don’t need to say the website is wonderful. You can even hate it and tell me so. I don’t mind.
However, for those of you emailing me with a dietetics-related question, I have a bit of friendly advice for you: address me by name. It’s right at the top of the webpage. Even “Happy Jessie” will suffice (I’ve had that, too, and it makes me smile). When someone emails me with a laundry list of questions, and begins the email with “Hi” or nothing at all (about half of them), I’m always a little surprised.
“C’mon!” I hear you say. “Emails are informal. And people are busy. It’s not a big deal. Why are you picking on those who want to become RDs, anyway?”
I’ll tell you why. Two reasons:
(1) Beginning with a “hey” is like saying “I don’t know your name and I won’t bother to find out, but will you spend twenty minutes answering my detailed email?” The email sender then usually proceeds to ask me questions answered on my “Becoming an RD” page.
(2) Those who email me looking for information on how to become an RD, or what being an RD is like, is connecting with someone in the same field in which they would like to be. Dietetics is a small world, and the field requires professionalism. Imagine emailing a dietetics program director, or (heaven forbid!) a potential employer without addressing them by name. Emailing me without addressing me by name may seem like small potatoes, but getting into the habit of being courteous and respectful of the recipient’s time is a habit that will serve the sender well down the road.
I’ll still answer every email that comes to me, of course, but I will remember how the email begins. And that’s just a bit of advice from your friendly RD, Jessie 🙂
