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.
Julia Robertson received her Bachelor’s from the department in 2021 with an Equine Specialization. Over the last five years, she has worked as a veterinary technician and began her own business venture as the Owner & Manager of 7J Ranch and Performance Horses in Arcadia, FL.
She feels as though her time in the department was filled with learning opportunities that provided her with valuable knowledge. As a student, Julia was a member of the UF Block & Bridle Club, Gator Collegiate Cattlewomen, and served as a teaching assistant for Dr. Samantha Brooks. She also completed an internship with Bush Creek Ranch in Wyoming. She feels as though this experience exposed her to the diversity of agrotourism as well as new career paths.
In addition to her experiences, Julia also believes the most beneficial part of her undergraduate career was working with faculty and staff in the department. She says, “They shared a wealth of knowledge and provided a broad perspective on the many opportunities available within the agricultural industry.” In the next five years, she hopes to continue diversifying her equine business by expanding into new opportunities including training horses. Julia also plans to return to her own saddle and participate in competitive riding again, balancing her business and breeding program with a professional riding career.
Her advice to a student who is currently at UF is, “Slow down! Actually, Dr. T told me this, and I didn’t listen. I was always in a rush to reach the next milestone—graduation, landing a job, and whatever came after that. Looking back, I realize there was never any need to rush. Take the time to be present, enjoy the journey, and absorb every single experience, lesson, and opportunity the program has to offer.”
Skylar Carstairs graduated from the department in 2021 and received her Bachelor’s with a concentration in Biology. Over the last five years she attended the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with her DVM in 2025, and began her career as a small animal associate in Jacksonville.
Skylar believes her time in the department was incredibly rewarding and played a vital role in her preparation for veterinary school. Through classroom instruction, research projects, extracurriculars, and hands-on activities, she feels she grew personally and professionally while also receiving a strong academic foundation. As a student, she assisted with dairy cattle research in Dr. Antonio Faciola’s lab, served as a teaching assistant, and was the treasurer of the Sigma Alpha professional agricultural sorority. Skylar says these experiences provided her with valuable leadership and professional skills that kept her connected with the department.
She also believes the most beneficial part of her undergraduate experience was building personal and professional relationships that she still has to this day. She says, “The friendships and connections I made during undergrad helped shape me into the person I am today. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my family and friends along the way.” In the next five years, Skylar plans to continue learning and growing as a veterinarian each day. She also wants to focus on personal growth, travel, and spend more quality time with family and friends.
Her advice to a student who may be nervous about graduating is, “Keep all of your options open and be willing to try new things! Even if your “plan” doesn’t end up exactly how you imagined it, trust that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be. There is still so much to learn, experience, and grow from after graduation, so enjoy the journey and don’t be afraid to take opportunities as they come.”
Gerielle Suffy obtained her Bachelor’s from the department in 2021 with a Food Animal specialization. In the last five years, she has been working as a Research Coordinator with United Animal Health in Indiana.
Gerielle says her time in the department was both an intellectual and practical experience, providing her not only with engaging classroom material, but also hands on opportunities at our teaching units to apply concepts in the real world. As a student, she was immersed in aspects of the agriculture industry that she was interested in pursuing a career in. Gerielle worked at the UF Swine Teaching Unit, where she feels she received exposure to how a commercial swine facility operates daily. She also completed an internship with Mauney Farms in South Carolina where she gained a stronger understanding of how swine facilities operate in different areas.
She feels as though the most beneficial component of her time in the department was using hands on opportunities to build her confidence and learn about what areas of agriculture she was interested in. Gerielle didn’t originally see herself in her current career field, but she says, “thanks to opportunities from student work and the internship; I had enough skills to land my where I am today.” In the next five years, she hopes to further her studies in the agriculture industry and pursue a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering. She hopes to use her new knowledge to develop impactful improvements within her sector of the industry and beyond.
Her advice to a student who is currently at UF is, “It pays to put yourself out there, put yourself in new experiences. Try out something you were unsure about and talk to people for more connections.”
We always enjoy hearing from our alumni and look forward to seeing their continued success unfold in the future!
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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