Nutrition Student of the Month - Cayla Rose - Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions

Where are you from?
Born and raised in Cumming, GA. I still live here now and commute to school and rotations!
What do you like to do outside of school? What are you passionate about in life? - tell us about yourself!
I love being active, especially if it involves being outside, whether weightlifting at the gym, going on walks, yoga, or hiking. I love having lots of little hobbies, too, and I am currently into guitar and watercolor at the moment! It is essential to keep doing what you love while in the coordinated program!
Why did you choose to study nutrition? Was there a specific person, experience, or event that sparked your interest?
I got my bachelor's in Kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness, where it all started! I thought about switching my undergrad major to nutrition, but I loved studying kinesiology, and with only a short time left, I decided to stay and apply to this program when I graduated. With that being said, this was the only program I applied to, so I kept my fingers crossed, and I got in! I have my personal training certification and previously worked in group fitness and noticed a lot of negativity around food and dieting. This, along with some personal struggles surrounding food, sparked an interest in nutrition. I went down a rabbit hole of learning the importance of nutrition not only in fitness but for overall wellbeing and have never looked back!
What made you choose the Coordinated Program in Nutrition program at GSU?
I chose this program because of the ability to complete the coursework to obtain a master's degree and supervised practice hours while not having a bachelor's in nutrition. It was also a major plus that it's close to home! I had been eyeing this program when I thought about switching my undergrad major, and I am so grateful everything worked out the way it has!
What is your favorite thing about the Coordinated Program?
It's hard to pick one thing, so I'll list a few! I am in the part-time program, so I can take an extra year, so my classes and rotations are a little bit more spread out, allowing me to travel, keep a job, and have spare time for myself. I love that it's allowed me to meet incredible people, whether friends or mentors. I also love the experiences I've been provided through classes and rotations. It's such a unique experience and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to be here.
Did you have any assistantships while you were in the program that helped offset the cost of tuition? If so, tell us a bit about what you did for these assistantships.
Yes! I am a graduate teaching assistant for NUTR 2100 and I have really enjoyed it. It has provided me with tuition assistance plus a monthly stipend. I mainly grade assignments, but I'm always answering students' emails and assisting with proctoring some exams.
Where do you see yourself after graduation? What type of career would you like to have?
I am always all over the place with this question, and it may change in a year, but that's okay! I would love to have my own nutrition and fitness counseling practice. I am also interested in women's health and geriatrics. Only time will tell!
If you could give advice to someone considering studying nutrition, what would you tell them?
Know that it is okay and so necessary to prioritize yourself! This has been so essential to me in my experience in the program. It will get overwhelming but don't forget to take a second to relax and give yourself grace. This program is challenging, but it's also fun and so rewarding. Nothing in life comes easy, but that's the fun part! We don't grow if we aren't challenged, so embrace the challenge, learn to love every second, and get everything you can out of the program!

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