The animal sciences ambassadors are a diverse group of students who represent our department to future students, aid and design activities for our current students, and provide student representation to our alumni and guests.
Check out the animal sciences ambassador channel on YouTube to get a taste of what this group does!
Sterling, IL / Pre-Vet
I am currently in the process of applying veterinary school with hopes of becoming a mixed animal veterinarian. In the meantime I plan on graduating with my bachelor's in animal sciences in the Spring of 2022. Following graduation, I will potentially pursue a non-thesis master's in animal sciences or hopefully will be on my way to obtaining a DVM.
Woodstock, IL / Equine Science/Companion Animals + Leadership Studies
After graduating with my bachelor's degree in May 2022, I plan to go ont o graduate school to get a master's degree in livestock reproduction and breeding. Ultimately, I would love to work with livestock producers and consult with them on their animals' reproductive needs.
Metamora, IL / Food Animal Production and Management + Spanish and Leadership
I hope to get my masters in meat science. If I am not able to do that I hope to work in the FSQA department of a processing plant.
Lombard, IL / Pre-Vet + Spanish
My future plans are to graduate with my degree in animal sciences with a minor in Spanish. I will then apply and attend veterinary school hopefully at the University of Illinois. I am hoping to be a mixed animal veterinarian as well as become a clinical instructor at a veterinary school.
Algonquin, IL / Pre-Vet + Chemistry and Leadership
My future plans are to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and attend graduate school in pursuit of a master’s degree. I want to continue my education in the Midwest and will most likely purse a degree in Animal Physiology or Poultry Science.
Kankakee, IL / Companion Animal
I will graduate in 2023, and plan to apply to graduate school. I am not sure where I want to attend graduate school yet. Right now as a future career I want to work with service/therapy animals.
Manhattan, IL / Pre-Vet + NRES
My goal is to attend veterinary school in the future and specialize in wildlife and zoo medicine. I would love to work in a zoological setting with the Species Survival Plan to further enhance conservation efforts for endangered species. For veterinary school, however, I would like to attend the University of Illinois and continue to volunteer in the Wildlife Medical Clinic there. Overall, I plan to go into a career in conservation by earning a DVM degree.
Mason City, IL / Food Animal Production and Management
After graduation, I plan on doing masters research with a focus in Ruminant Nutrition. I would love to do nutrition consulting or teach after obtaining my degree. I also plan on owning and operating a small goat dairy with my husband.
Dix, IL / Pre-Vet
My future plans are to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Animal Science. Following completion of this degree, I hope to be accepted into the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. My ultimate career goal is to be a large animal veterinarian in Southern Illinois.
Lockport, IL / Pre-Vet + Chemistry
After graduating in May 2022, I hope to attend veterinary school in order to become a small animal veterinarian. I plan to focus on companion animals, such as dogs, cats, and other small exotics (guinea pigs, hamsters, etc.). My long-term goal is to own a small animal practice that provides lost-cost veterinary care to those in need in order to give back to my community and assist families in providing quality care for their pets.
Springfield, IL / Pre-Vet, Science, Medical
Presently, upon graduation in May 2023, I plan to attend veterinary school in the hopes of becoming a small animal or mixed practice veterinarian. I am also interested in public policy surrounding farm law, food safety law, and cellular agriculture regulations.
Clifton, IL / Pre-Vet, Science, Medical & Business
In the near future I hope to attend a Veterinary School and obtain my DVM. Following this, I wish to open and run a successful campus surrounding the care of large, small, and exotic animals. This location will allow for medical, behavioral, and other needs that surround an animals initial and long-term care. This location will also allow for the development of education and experience in aspiring individuals that wish to work with animals.
Harvard, IL / Pre-Vet, Science, Medical
After graduating with my Bachelor's in Animal Sciences, I am hoping to start at Veterinary School and gain my DVM. I hope to work with production, companion and exotic animals. If I am unable to attend Veterinary School after graduating, I am going to go to graduate school for a Master's in Animal Sciences.
Flora, IL / Pre-Vet, Science, Medical & Natural, Resource and Environmental Sciences
After I graduate from UIUC, I am considering attending graduate school or veterinary school. I am interested in the wildlife side of animal science, and would like to explore my options there. I'd like to own a homestead with a small farm and live in the county.
Washington, DC / Pre-Vet, Science, Medical
After I graduate from the University of Illinois with my undergraduate in Animal Science, I hope to work as a veterinary technician while going through veterinary school. I hope to go to veterinary school at the Virginia/Maryland Vet school, but I am open to other vet schools as well. After graduating from vet school, I hope to work at the Animal Medical Care Center in New York City. My ultimate goal is to specialize in canine medicine and open my own affordable practice somewhere along the east coast.
Pekin, IL / Pre-Vet, Science, Medical
After graduating from the University of Illinois my plan is to apply to vet school at the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine College as well as other nearby vet schools. I would love to work with small animals and exotics. Along with going to vet school, I'm also planning on volunteering my free time either at shelters or at the Wildlife Medical Clinic here in Urbana.
Skokie, IL / Pre-Vet, Science, Medical
After getting an undergraduate Bachelor's Degree in Animal Sciences, I plan to stay in Champaign to get a Master's and then work as an animal nutritionist. I would love to work in my hometown of Skokie to stay close to family, but I would work anywhere in Illinois if I can manage it. I love helping animals, so I will adopt a couple of rescues and volunteer at shelters on the weekends.
Oswego, IL / Pre-Vet, Science, Medical
My future goal is to attend veterinary school in the United Kingdom, where I hope to settle down after earning my DVM. Although I am leaning toward working as a mixed animal practitioner, I am open minded to the plethora of careers that will be available to me with a DVM. One day I hope to combine my passion for veterinary medicine with my love of teaching by becoming a teaching veterinarian at a university.
Odell, IL / Pre-Vet, Science, Medical
After graduating from the University of Illinois with my bachelor's degree in Animal Sciences, I plan to attend veterinary school. Though I am not sure exactly where I want to attend, some of my top choices are the University of Illinois and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I plan to become a mixed animal practitioner, working both on farms and in the clinic. I also want to own my own hobby herd of cattle someday, since they are my favorite animals to work with.
Lemont, IL / Pre-Vet, Science, Medical
After graduating from the University of Illinois with my bachelor's degree in Animal Sciences, I plan on matriculating to veterinary school to earn my DVM! After veterinary school, I hope to practice general, small animal veterinary medicine. My ultimate dream has always been to settle down and work as a veterinarian in small town, in order to have the chance to form strong bonds with my future clients and their animals over time. Ultimately, I love connecting with people, and nothing is more fulfilling in my mind than serving my future clients throughout all the stages of their pet's life.
Sleepy Hollow, IL /Companion Animal & Equine Science
After graduation in 2024, I plan on going to graduate school. I am still unsure of my future plans but I am currently interested in research particularly in genetics and reproductive biology. In the long run, I would like to become a professor at a University.
Algonquin, IL /Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating from the University of Illinois in 2023 with my bachelor's degree in Animal Sciences, I plan to attend veterinary school to earn my DVM. Ideally, I would like to attend UIUC's vet school and practice small animal veterinary medicine; however, I am also very interested in working with horses, specifically the equine sports medicine and rehabilitation aspect. So, I am not sure whether I would want to specialize or work in mixed practice, yet. After hopefully attending vet school here in state, I would like to practice somewhere outside of the Midwest, either in the east or west coast.
Chicago, IL /Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical & Chemistry
After graduating from UIUC with a bachelor's in Animal Sciences, I plan to take a gap year too gain more clinical/large animal/wildlife experience and than begin applying to veterinary school. I hope to attend UIUC's vet school (I love Illini too much!) and join my mentor too. My goal is to become a practicing small-animal veterinarian in the Chicago-land area but I never know what opportunities come upon me! I have interests in wildlife medicine, pathology, and immunology and hope to explore this in vet med.
Wilmette, IL /Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating from the University of Illinois with a bachelors in Animal Sciences, I plan to attend Veterinary School. I would love to attend UIUC's School of Veterinary Medicine. I want to specialize in emergency medicine! After working at an emergency vet I have learned to love the chaos of emergency medicine. I love working with the owners to help solve their pets problems. At some point in my life I would also love to own my own practice that would aid to many type of animals.
Naperville, IL /Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating with a degree in Animal Science, I plan to attend veterinary school. I hope to go to vet school at University of Illinois but I'm keeping my options open. I want to go into mixed animal practice and potentially spend some time on research and pathology. I love to travel and having a job where I can do this would be perfect.
Olympia, WA /Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After I graduate from University of Illinois with my degree in Animal Science, I hope to attend graduate school for either animal nutrition, animal management or animal behavior welfare. After working at both the Animal Sciences Laboratory and Piglet Nutrition and Cognition Laboratory, I have developed an interest in research so that's what I'm currently planning to pursue.
Quincy, IL /Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating from the University of Illinois, I hope to attend veterinary school to become a veterinarian. I have found the adrenaline and interest in emergency services after an internship at an animal emergency hospital. I plan to work with both small and large animals, but primarily larger animals since it typically requires traveling to different farms. I feel a need for helping animals and their owners, so if I don't attend vet school, at least I know where my passion is.
Grand Detour, IL /Food Animal Production and Management
After graduating with my undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences, I plan to go directly into the industry. My goal is to start out working as a manager in a department at a poultry processing facility. Long term, my goal would be as a superintendent or a plant manager. Because my long term career goal is to improve the overall quality of food, I would love to stay involved in the poultry industry for as long as I can.