Shelby McCubbin
![Student on internship standing by dolphin](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/animalsciencesdept/files/2023/09/Shelby-McCubbin-300x300.png)
Current UF Animal Sciences (ANS) Food Animal Specialization student Shelby McCubbin interned at Marineland Dolphin Adventure in St. Augustine, Florida. During her internship, McCubbin prepared rations for 15 dolphins daily, aided trainers during enrichment sessions, and educated guests about the park’s conservation efforts.
As an intern, McCubbin has gained skills in time management, customer service, and aquatic animal husbandry. ANS courses like ANS 3006, Introduction to Animal Science, and ANS 3384C, Genetics of Domestic Animals, laid the foundation for McCubbin’s experience.
“This internship has been the highlight of my undergraduate experience. I have learned an immense amount of knowledge in only two months. This has helped me make decisions that will shape my future,” said McCubbin.
When asked for advice for students considering an internship like hers, McCubbin said, “Do something out of your comfort zone!! Pick a topic within your field that you know nothing about. It could be the best thing you ever do!”
Braeden Raper
Current UF Animal Sciences (ANS) Food Animal Specialization student Braeden Raper spent his summer interning at Cal-Maine Foods in Lake City, Florida.
Raper spent most of his internship split between the farm and the packing plant. His duties included fixing belt backups, monitoring laying percentages and environmental factors, operating the packing plant, and filling orders.
Raper learned about this internship from a friend and then met with the general manager of the Lake City plant at the CALS Career Expo. Raper said that his favorite part of his internship was enjoying the people that worked there with him and the overall fun environment.
This internship has enhanced Raper’s undergraduate experience greatly. He said it gave him a better look into the poultry and egg production sectors of the animal sciences industry, which he did not have much previous knowledge of.
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/.