Meet Alex Gallant-Wood, Registered Dietitian and Â鶹´«Ã½ Foods and Nutrition Class of 2016 graduate
What brought you to Â鶹´«Ã½? Why did you choose to study here?
I've always loved PEI! I visited every summer and during many holidays because I have lots of extended family here. I'm originally from Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia and attended Â鶹´«Ã½ from 2012 to 2016. Â鶹´«Ã½'s brand-new Health Sciences Building opened in my first year, and I received an admissions scholarship for the Foods and Nutrition program.
What kinds of support did you receive during your time here from Â鶹´«Ã½ students, staff, and faculty members?
During my time at Â鶹´«Ã½, I made lots of great friends whom I am still friends with today. During my dietetic internship, my fellow interns and I got together regularly to have dinners and swap placement stories, and had a Facebook group where we shared nutrition resources.
I had access to Â鶹´«Ã½ staff members who I could talk to about scholarship opportunities and lead me through the process of application. I also had a great opportunity to start a student feedback program at the Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall in my third year, working with the Food Services Manager of Chartwells and the Â鶹´«Ã½'s Ancillary Services Manager.
In terms of faculty, the class sizes were mostly small after 1st-year and even in large classes my professors were very available for meetings and by-email. My Internship Coordinator was also easily available to answer questions, even before being accepted into the program, and she ensured that I had placements close by because I wanted to live at home, with extended family, or with Â鶹´«Ã½ friends during internship.
"As a student, you'll learn more about project management, biology, chemistry, anatomy, stats, and research methods, preparing you for any related career."
What kinds of opportunities did you experience because you studied at Â鶹´«Ã½, or because of the Island location?
Prince Edward Island offers good access to summer jobs, beautiful beaches, and cool activities! As Â鶹´«Ã½ is the only university on PEI, it feels like the work and studying done there is very vital to PEI’s culture and economy.
What's unique about Â鶹´«Ã½, and Prince Edward Island?
Charlottetown has a small town feel with the resources of a small city. Compared to other universities in Atlantic Canada, I think Â鶹´«Ã½ has a lot to offer due to its more substantial population and Charlottetown’s status as a tourist destination. Everyone here is very friendly and welcoming!
What would you tell a high school student considering Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Foods and Nutrition (and dietetic internship) programs?
The program offers a balance of clinical nutrition, population health, food service management, and food science—all in one degree. As a student, you'll learn more about project management, biology, chemistry, anatomy, stats, and research methods, preparing you for any related career. The faculty members are fantastic and knowledgeable, and the subject matter interesting and very relevant to both your career and everyday life. The dietetic internship program is small and supportive rather than competitive and I was able to finish my placements in a timely manner.
What is your current role, and how did your program at Â鶹´«Ã½ prepare you for success there?
I'm a Food Product Developer at Canada’s Smartest Kitchen, a food research and development facility at the Culinary Institute of Canada. My job involves cooking, research, science, nutrition, and business expertise—all of which I learned during my classes at Â鶹´«Ã½, in my dietetic internship placements, or while working in jobs I acquired due to my degree and Registered Dietitian designation.
"If given the chance to choose again, I would 100% pick Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Foods and Nutrition and Dietetic Internship programs!"
