Nutrition Services Manager
Kayla Olson
Nutrition Services Manager, MSHS/Caldwell
About the Position
This position is to help improve the health of students at a high school in Caldwell. This position requires the implementation of a new program in order to provide and encourage healthy eating habits. Being fluent in Spanish is required for this position because of the population you would be working with. It is important to note that the culture and background of each family may be different and even challenging to work with. It is important to keep an open mind and be creative when receiving push back from these families. From looking into this position I learned that I can put both of my degrees to use in one job and be able to better the lives of others through education. I believe that being able to reach a broader audience and bring communities together through nutrition is a big step in the right direction for everyone to feel united. This position is interesting because it allows for one to think outside the box to influence others and improve their lives.
Question & Answer
How did you find this position?
I found this position through Indeed by typing “Spanish Healthcare”
Summarize the Minimum Qualifications and emphasize the skills relevant to language majors.
This position’s requirements are minimal. It requires a high school diploma as well as first aid and CPR training for education. Along with that proficiency in Spanish and English as well as two years in child/adult care and food.
Summarize the Preferred Qualifications and emphasize the skills relevant to language majors.
The preferred qualifications are a degree in Nutrition or related field as well as serve safe certification.
What are some other skills that are important for success in this field?
Some other skills that are important in this field are working with children, being open to learning new things, and being creative. In this position you will be working with children and their families. Being able to help these kids through tough times and being that friendly smile they need is important. Furthermore, everyone involved has different backgrounds and upbringing. The mixing of cultures can be beautiful and beneficial to helping these families through what they’re going through.
What might be helpful to prepare for a language major to prepare for this field or position (think about courses at Boise State, graduate school/certificates, other types of PD, internships, work experience, etc.)?
Helpful education might involve Spanish in business. Learning business terms and how to speak/translate in a professional manner.
How is proficiency in another language useful or important in this position?
Proficiency in another language is useful in this position because of the area that you would work in. There might be a large Hispanic population, therefore you may need to be fully fluent in order to talk with the students and families.
How is the ability to communicate and work with people from different cultural backgrounds useful or important in this position?
The ability to communicate and work with different cultural backgrounds is crucial for this position because of the population you are working with. This job requires one to be able to understand and not judge where these families are coming from. Other cultures may do things differently than your own therefore not being normal to you doesn’t mean it is weird for them.
Anything else interesting to share about the position?
This position is interesting because it allows for a creative mind and being able to hear from and help people of other backgrounds.
About the author
name: Kayla Olson
institution: Boise State University
I am Kayla Olson, double majoring in Kinesiology and Spanish. I speak English and Spanish and have been fully fluent in both since kindergarten, as I did a dual-language program where I learned both simultaneously.
