Meet Shaelin

Why did you choose your program, and how does your program contribute to your career goals?

My biggest goal in life, for as long as I can remember, has been to become a veterinarian. There is no true "pre-vet" major, yet a variety of tracks you can follow in undergrad to get to the position to apply to graduate school. I chose Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology because the research aspect caught my attention. Vet school is very competitive and you have to find opportunities to set yourself apart and stand out from a large applicant pool. Completing a research project as an undergraduate student will be a great way to prepare me for the rigor and competitiveness of veterinary school. Deciding on ABT has been very rewarding so far; I am excited to see the ways that I grow as a student and young woman as I progress through my time here at UK.

Have you completed an internship, job, or been involved with a club that has been especially meaningful to you? If so, tell us about it.

I was hired my freshman year of high school to be a veterinary assistant at Shepherdsville Animal Hospital. For almost 5 years now I have been able to get hands-on experience with small animals (dogs, cats, and other household pets). Through my time at SAH I have learned the good, the bad, and the ugly of veterinary medicine and grown so much as a person. I am so thankful that I have been able to get early exposure to the field that I am pursuing wholeheartedly.

Tell us about your favorite professor, advisor, or other member of the UK family that has been especially impactful during your college career? What makes them so special? How have they impacted your time here?

My favorite professor so far at the University of Kentucky has been the late Doctor Michael Goodin. I came into my freshman year in the middle of the pandemic and had no idea what to expect from college, let alone college mid COVID-19. Dr. Goodin was a breath of fresh air and entirely changed my outlook on the world we live in, not only through the lens of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment but also through the eyes of kindness and curiosity. Michael Goodin touched many lives, including mine, and I know he is missed by many. A quote of his that I live by daily is "Risk Joy". This short phrase is just a simple reminder to take risks in life for the chances of something amazing happening. I will forever remember and cherish the time I had to learn from Dr. Goodin.

What advice would you offer an incoming freshman in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment?

My advice for incoming freshman in the UK College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment is to challenge yourself to see the importance of Ag outside of your own major. You will take many classes within the college with students of different majors. Really take the time to get to know them, their interests, and what it is about their major that helps our world go 'round. Over time you will realize how intricate each piece of the puzzle is and how each one plays such a vital role. Not only with your perspective change, but you will also meet a lot of incredible people in the process!