In Five Years is a project started by the UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Department that highlights alumni who graduated from our department five years ago. It was created with the goal of providing real-world references and perspectives for incoming or current animal sciences students.
Chalise Brown graduated from the department in the Spring of 2020 with an animal biology specialization. She is currently a Field Veterinarian for the US Army Veterinary Corps. In the next five years, she hopes to return to food animal medicine or become an anatomic pathologist. She described her experiences in animal science as fun, busy, and worthwhile; she was involved in multiple research labs focusing on ruminant nutrition and reproduction, a member of the Meats Evaluation Team, and worked at the UF Dairy Research Unit. Throughout her time as an undergrad and veterinary student, she was able to complete research projects through our department that helped her to focus on her interests. She believes her hands-on opportunities in dairy and beef cattle handling were most beneficial to her experience during her undergrad, in addition to the skills like independence and problem solving that she gained on the Meats Evaluation team.
Chalise believes the department provided a solid support system that gave her the foundation to feel comfortable asking for guidance as she selected her career. Her biggest advice to a student at UF is “Appreciate the ‘wins’ you have already accomplished and those you will accomplish in the future. It’s easy to forget about accomplishments that took years in the making, e.g., going to UF, graduation with a bachelor’s, getting accepted into vet school, and landing a dream job. You might celebrate for a brief moment, then already start planning out your next long-term goal, but try to savor those moments rather than constantly shifting the goal post of ‘success’.”
Shelby Kirton is a Spring 2020 graduate of our department with a specialization in equine and a minor in agribusiness, and later received her Master’s in Agricultural Communications from Oklahoma State University. She is currently the Manager of Communications & Marketing at Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Shelby believes her time in the department was rewarding and allowed her to develop valuable relationships. She says, “The department felt like a close-knit community, where professors knew your name, classmates became lifelong friends, and there was always support when you needed it.” She believes the most beneficial part of her time at UF was “the closeness of the Animal Science department. Being in classes with the same group of people created a real sense of community. We learned together, leaned on each other, and pushed each other to be better.”
As an undergrad, Shelby was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority, UF Block & Bridle, and Gator Collegiate Cattlewomen’s club, and completed an internship through Rabon’s Country Feed in Okeechobee, FL. In the next five years, Shelby hopes to continue her work in the agricultural industry through advocacy and communications, as she has a deep, personal investment in the cattle industry. Her advice to someone who may be nervous about graduating is, “not to stress about having everything figured out. It’s normal to feel nervous, but stay open to opportunities and trust yourself. Take things one step at a time, and remember that your path will unfold the way it’s meant to.”
Micah Gallagher graduated from the department in the Spring of 2020 with a Food Animal specialization and received her Master’s in Extension Education from the University of Florida. She currently serves as a Livestock Extension Agent in Levy County. Micah believes the hands-on components of her courses and her involvement in departmental clubs were the most beneficial part of her undergraduate experience, as she was able to strengthen her understanding of agriculture and develop a strong support system. She completed an internship through the Levy County Extension Office during undergrad, which helped to mold her career path. She says, “I believe that my internship led me to my extension-focused jobs after graduation and prepared me for some of the expectations as an agent.”
As an undergrad, she was involved with the Gator Collegiate Cattlewomen’s club, UF Block & Bridle, and served as an ambassador for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. She wants current students to know, “During my time at UF, I feel I relied on my professors and advisor a lot when making decisions about internships, jobs, and classes. I relied on my professional network of industry-related people for assistance on school projects, recommendations on applications, and more. Looking back, I think that this was something that not only benefited me academically but also personally in building relationships with a multitude of people across different backgrounds.” In the next five years, Micah hopes to continue serving in her position as a Livestock Extension Agent!
Lisa Wilson is a Spring 2020 graduate of our department with an animal biology specialization. She is currently a veterinarian at All Animal Care in Calhoun, GA. Lisa was heavily invested in her coursework within the animal sciences department and participated in various suborganizations through the UF BSU. She believes the most beneficial part of her time in the department was her experience in one of her undergraduate courses. She says, “My most beneficial part of my undergraduate experience was registering for Careers in Animal Science my fall of sophomore year. In this class, I attended the lecture of Dr. Natalie Lamneck, who talked about her experience as a double gator and a practicing ambulatory large animal veterinarian. Joel McQuagge and Amie Imler were my cheerleaders, and I am more grateful for their small acts of kindness and service than they know. Joel gave me Dr. Lamneck’s number,r and that connection is what made my college experience the best I think it could’ve been.”
In the next five years, Lisa plans to be efficient in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery in small animals, as well as flourish in her own practice venture. Her advice to someone who may be nervous about graduating is, “You made it through this very challenging program; if you can do that, you can do anything you set your mind to. Your mind has been set, don’t sway because you made it to the end of one leg of your journey.”
It is exciting to hear from our alumni as they develop their careers, and we recognize their important role in supporting the department. We wish them well in their future endeavors and are proud of their success!
Find more information about the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences on our website. Stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Read more on UF/IFAS ANS here: http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/animalsciencesdept/.
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