What made you choose this major?
I chose to major in animal behavior because of my passion for animals. I want to be able to work with animals and effectively communicate with people.
How has what you’ve learned prepared you for your future?
In my science of animal behavior class, we have had the chance to hear from numerous presenters and a variety of people in various jobs in the field of animal behavior, which has given me the ability to explore options for future careers I didn’t know existed.
What opportunities have you had to work closely with a faculty member and what impact has that had on your education?
Small class size really allows for individual interaction with professors. I personally know all of my professors and feel it has given me a better chance at opportunities, such as internships. Because my professors know me, I hope that later they will be able to write letters of recommendations for me based on what they truly know about me.
What is the most unique experience you’ve had relating to the coursework in your major?
I was able to Skype with a marine mammal trainer and watch an orca voluntarily provide a urine sample in a cup. We later talked with an animal behaviorist who explained how that behavior is trained and also described the process of training a silverback gorilla to dispose of his waste into a canister rather than throw it at unsuspecting zoo guests.
If you were recommending your major to a prospective student, what would you tell them?
As a transfer student, I learned that I am able to complete two majors in the same time it would take me to complete one. It’s amazing how many events are available to students of all different interests and I am looking forward to all the future opportunities to continue to get more involved on campus. I would highly recommend animal behavior to anyone interested in working with living organisms. Although it is typically a major people scoff at initially, the courses at Carroll are a great overview of the endless possibilities available to people who go into the field. I have been introduced to so many careers that I was unaware even existed.
Why did you choose to attend Carroll University?
I am so incredibly happy with my choice. Carroll is a community in which I feel comfortable. Having a service dog means I constantly advertise the fact that I have a disability, one that would otherwise not be visible to people who don’t know me very well. Carroll is so full of faculty and staff who have been incredibly accepting and unquestioning of my dire need for my service dog, and is one of the few places I am completely at ease when out and about with my service dog.
Learn more about the Animal Behavior program
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