Claire Groth
Claire Groth plans to use her knowledge in dietetics and food science to work with food research and policy. When she isn’t studying, Claire enjoys reading, eating good food, and hanging out with friends.
Get to know Claire
- Major: Dietetics, minor in food science
- Class: Junior
- Hometown: St. Ansgar, Iowa (Mitchell County)
- Career goal: Food research and policy
- Clubs/activities: The S.H.O.P., Student Dietetic Association
- Favorite place on campus: Periodicals in Parks Library
- Favorite class: FS HN 215, Advanced Food Preparation Laboratory
- Why ISU: only accredited dietetics program in Iowa, beautiful campus close to home
Claire Groth impacts community as a Rising Star Intern
Claire Groth devoted her summer to expanding her knowledge in food, nutrition, and community outreach. As a Rising Star Intern for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Claire saw firsthand just how many open doors there are in the food industry.
From May 20 to August 1, Claire and two other Rising Star Interns serviced Region 5 of Iowa — which includes Plymouth, Woodbury, and Monona counties — by helping plan and execute various community outreach projects focusing on local foods and nutrition.
“Every day was different,” Claire said. “We had a lot of camps with kids, cooking camps [that touched] on food safety and kitchen safety. We also worked a lot in the community with events like Bike and Bite, where people could bike around to different restaurants.”
Claire aided in many other events this summer such as the Farm to Fork dinner, where guests tried different local wines and foods, and the weekly Iowa State Extension booth at the Saturday morning farmers’ market, where Extension staff held food-related activities for children.
Claire found out about the Rising Star internship with Extension from a friend. After hearing good things about the program, she reached out to Iowa State Extension at the People to People Career Fair and looked Extension and Outreach up online. Claire became even more interested in becoming a Rising Star after scrolling through blog posts and videos of interns before her.
“I talked with [Extension and Outreach] a lot at the People to People Career Fair at their booth and was able to get an interview,” Claire said. “I loved everything that they were telling me, so I was really interested in [the internship] after I met with them.”
The Rising Star internship with Extension and Outreach gave Claire opportunities to expand on her skills and learn new ones; she’s looking forward to take what she learned at her internship to her future careers.
“I would say, ‘For sure do this internship,’” Claire said. “I gained communication skills and public speaking [skills], and working on projects as a team as well as being a leader.”
Student Spotlights