Was writing and media communications something you had always been interested in ?
My husband was flabbergasted when I said I wanted to do the training . I had kept it a secret , because I thought , what if I can ’ t do it ? Dietitians are like that , what if we fail ? But I went and did the course , and I learned that if you want to work in the media , you must be proactive . I came home and wrote snail mail to the local newspaper , the television station , the ABC and lo and behold , I got a reception !
What do you think it was about you or your style that made journalists keep coming back to you ?
Well , I think of myself as a translator , like when you ' re a clinical dietitian , you ' re always translating - how many times has the patient said , ‘ what did the doctor say ? What does that mean ?’ I think I could see that people don ' t necessarily understand the medical speak and they certainly don ' t understand the science speak , but they would like to . I can interpret science for them in a way that they can understand .
In terms of young dietitians , any tips on getting that first media job ?
Do as much professional development as possible and learn about the journalist ’ s world – they are always on a deadline , so find out what that is and buy yourself some time to gather your thoughts . You can always do a sharper interview . Also , you usually don ’ t get paid for talking to journalists !
As well as being active in the media , you ’ re a prolific researcher in terms of grant dollars , publications , and research students – how do you do it ?
I ’ m very well organised . The other thing is , I look at students , as future colleagues , and I tell them that if there is an opportunity , just grab it . I ’ ve seen people miss out because they think they ’ ll do it next year , and then it is not offered next year . Try to focus on the most important things , rather than urgent , but less important in the big scheme of things . And try to be resilient ! I always say ‘ you ’ re allowed to cry yourself to sleep , but it ’ s what happens the next day that counts ’. It hurts , because you put your heart and soul into these things , but don ’ t give up – just keep trying and that ’ s the best you can do .
© Dietitian Connection 12 Infuse | November 2020