UK a natural choice for the equine field

Although the equine program at the University of Kentucky is just a few years old, the benefits of going to school in the “Horse Capital of the World” are so numerous, students everyday see the result- building connections in the field and getting guidance for their future careers.  

A recent tradition that has been started for those Equine Science and Management program is our annual Equine Career Fair held on campus. This fair has become not only a fantastic resource for students to make connections for their mandatory internship (required for all equine majors but students absolutely love the hands-on experience), but it also gives students a chance to see the plethora of job opportunities in Lexington and beyond.  This year in particular, students at UK (and even a few students from other colleges) gathered on our campus to talk to industry leaders in areas such as equine rescue and training, racehorse businesses, equine farm management, saddlebred training, equine research, graduate school preparation, Keeneland, Equine Hospitals, Flying Darby opportunities, Therapeutic riding facilities, and much, much more.  For students who were looking for ways to get involved in the industry, they were able to talk directly to employers and fill out volunteer applications, internship forms, or gain a greater idea of what was required to reach their current goals.   

 For more information, and to see other equine related information, as well as to see pictures and students participating in a multitude of events and programs, check out the Equine Student Hub.  

I hope if you are interested in pursuing a degree in the Equine industry, you will look more into our program and hopefully, like me, see the many opportunities that are available to students.  See Blue and Go CATS!

Veronica is an equine science/pre-vet student from Maryland.  She is a Resident Advisor on campus and is involved in many campus activities.

Where has the time gone?

As many other students are experiencing right now, this is my last semester as an undergraduate student!  I have been at the University of Kentucky for four years now, and I have loved every minute of it.  I have made many wonderful, lifelong friends and had experiences that I’ll never forget.  While being in college I had the experience to travel to Florida with the College of Agriculture Ambassadors for a leadership summit, I traveled to Wisconsin and Illinois with my Sustainable Agriculture capstone class, and with the Women’s Choir I sang in England, Wales and Ireland.  

Marissa in Ireland with UK Women's Choir.

As this semester is already half way over, I keep thinking that all of my fellow graduating seniors each have to make a choice about what they are going to do after commencement on May 5.  Some, like me, are going to graduate school.  Some may go straight into the work force and already have jobs lined up.  And some have no idea what they want to do.  Whatever we all decide to do, we know that we have had the best time and met the best people.

I have decided to go to the University of Kentucky for graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in Human Nutrition.  I am very excited about this opportunity and to learn about how what we eat affects our health.  I would love to pair my undergraduate degree of Sustainable Agriculture with a nutrition degree so that I can help educate people not only on how their food is grown but how their food can affect different aspects of their bodies.  I decided to go to graduate school to pursue this dream, as well as to give myself more opportunities in the job field.  The two degrees that I will have will not only complement each other, but diversify my areas of knowledge.

Students who are just starting out their college experience are thinking that they have forever in college to take advantage of opportunities and figure out what they are going to do.  My advice is that you don’t have forever.  These four years go faster than you can even imagine, so you need to start now!  

- Marissa is a senior from Morrow, Ohio.  She is graduating in May with a individualized bachelors of science curriculum in Sustainable Agriculture.  

A Whole New World....

Recently some ag ambassadors went on a journey across the world to the Mediterranean.  Well, at least we were there in theory.  

As part of International Food Night, we went to Oasis Restaurant in the Chevy Chase Place here in Lexington. We try to get a taste of other cultures whenever and wherever we can. The Mediterranean night was a quaint, but very fun time and also quite the experience for me.

         

Being in Oasis, and even a Mediterranean restaurant for the first time, I had no clue of what I was getting myself into. When I looked at the menu, I'm pretty sure I looked like a kid in a candy store. There were so many options and I really wanted to try them all. As we were chowing down on some hummus and pita bread, Jason (our ambassador advisor) and Leslie (a fellow ambassador) were giving the rundown on the menu like they were "Ranean" experts. I debated for the longest if I should get the Schawarma Mix or start simple with a Pita-Wich. Schawarma is a meat of choice that is grilled on a spit for long periods of time, then shaved and served. I decided to go with a lamb kabob pita-wich. Leslie ordered what seemed like miniature, hard donuts. They were actually called falafels and they are mainly grounded fava beans that are then deep-fried. We also had a past ambassador join us for dinner. We had a grand ole time.

It should be a personal goal for people to try different types of food. You never know what you like until you try. We started international food night because it is very common to see students eating cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, and the all time favorite- pizza. It's important to keep in mind that you will be pushed to do things out of your comfort zone and that's exactly what I did. Who ever would of ever known that I would like Mediterranean food? Jason always emphasizes that keeping an open mind will help us in our careers in the future. I think that it is good to have a diverse background of foods. That falls under the category of being a well-rounded individual. Tasting other foods also helps you appreciate other cultures. Knowing about foods of other cultures will can keep you connected in a small way to other backgrounds. All foods have a specific meaning to most cultures. By experiencing those foods that could link us together more on common ground. No telling where the ambassadors will land next for International Food Night. 

And if the title of the blog entry had you humming, check this video out for the song that is running through your head.

 

 Until next time,

 Ya ssas!

 (Good-bye in Greek)

Kenyatta