Internship Experiences in ANS: Breanna Luby & Kyndall Capps

Breanna Luby

Student holding a snake on internship. — Luby worked with snakes on her internship.

Breanna Luby is a current UF Animal Sciences (ANS) student in the Equine Specialization. Luby completed an animal ambassador internship at ZooTampa in Tampa, Florida. Her responsibilities included conducting wildlife connection sessions throughout the park. She also assisted with feedings, animal husbandry tasks, and training sessions.

Luby gained an in-depth, behind the scenes look at the zoo’s daily operations as an intern. Some of her favorite parts of her internships included feeding the animals and watching individual animals succeed in difficult training sessions.

During her internship, Luby worked on her time management and teamwork skills. She also learned how to persevere and be flexible, especially when dealing with difficult weather.

Luby offered one piece of advice to other students who are considering an internship. “Be prepared to get dirty! The animal field is dirty and you have to be prepared to deal with all the gross situations sometimes,” said Luby.

Kyndall Capps

Student working with chicken on internship. — Capps teaching a poultry literacy class during her internship.

Kyndall Capps is also a current UF Animal Sciences student and is in the Food Animal Specialization. Capps’s summer internship was with UF/IFAS Extension. She worked as a 4-H intern in the Lake County office in Tavares, Florida. Her responsibilities included teaching classes, developing a chicken and rabbit literacy program, and grading 4-H record books.

As an intern, Capps strengthened her communication, presentation, and time management skills. She also developed instructional and instruction management skills while working with 4-H clubs. Teaching was one of Capps’s favorite parts of the job.

“My absolute favorite part of my internship was seeing youth’s faces light up when they learn something new and giving kids who have never experienced agriculture, agriculture education experiences. I also loved being able to utilize the information that the University of Florida Animal Science program instilled in me, putting it towards teaching our youth and giving back to the community,” said Capps.

When asked about what advice she would give to other undergraduates considering a similar internship, Capps encouraged them to take the opportunity. “Always be flexible! Normally, programs do not always go according to plan or play out the way they were meant to. Also, keep a pair of rubber boots in your car, you never know what you will get into. Do not be afraid to be yourself, go out of your comfort zone, or get dirty,” said Capps.

2023 Animal Sciences Internship Seminar

Join us at the Animal Sciences Department’s Internship Seminar on Wednesday, October 11th at the UF/IFAS Straughn Professional Development Center. Students, educators, employers, and friends are invited to join us as we hear from over 40 current students showcasing their internships. The program will begin at 6:30 PM.

Find more information about the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences on our website. Stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Any questions or inquiries regarding this piece should be directed toward Aubrey Pearce at aubreypearce@ufl.edu. Read more stories like this one here: http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/animalsciencesdept/.