Hello! My name is Crystal Jackson, Dietetic Technician, Registered and I am overjoyed you're here. I grew a affinity for nutrition around 2007 or 2008 (I can't remember exactly, lol). I was going to school to become what I thought I wanted to be at the time - an interior decorator. I remember completing my first year of a liberal arts program at junior college and feeling like, while I enjoyed making things around me beautiful, interior decorating wasn't a profession where I felt I belonged.

 

After sometime pondering what it was I wanted to do, I stubbled upon a dietetic technical program at my college. Many of my family member dealt with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and had suffered long-term consequences for various reasons. I knew I wanted the family cycle of preventable disease to end with me and I wanted to reach back and help my loved ones make sound nutritional decisions to have better quality lives.

 

After three years of technical coursework, clinicals, and discouraging advice from an academic advisor of another college, I found myself working various jobs, from being a legal account resolutions specialist (fancy term for bill collector), to working my way through human resources, I knew my true purpose in life was not being fulfilled. I decided to take my dietetic technician exam 12 years after graduating! I knew it would take much discipline to begin study in the field of nutrition. However, let's say I underestimated how challenging attempting to study and retain information from 12 years prior would be.

 

After failing my exam two times, I decided I need help. I reached out to the department of applied sciences and located an advisor who was currently working as the head of the dietetic technician program of my alma mater. I shared with them my story and how I had felt like I wanted to give up on nutrition. They spoke life into me, provided me with a textbook, and study material and let me use a desk in their office space to practice my exam.

 

I remember feeling an abundance of anxiety this third time before going to sit for my credential this third time. However, this time I sat in the car and talked candidly with God (I hadn't done this the previous two times), told Him how I was feeling and prayed that he would allow my mind to recall all of the knowledge I had packed in their this time around. After receiving my results, I prayed again that if I did not pass, God would provide clarity on what my true purpose is. Let's just say He showed me everything I needed to know about my purpose in life by seeing "Passed" in the upper left corner of my letter. Glory be to my Father God!