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Building Connections in the Field
Senior Ukari Perkins' internship at an animal hospital was hands-on
University News | October 13, 2020
During the summer of 2020, Ukari Perkins ’21 completed an internship at Brentwood Animal Hospital near her home in Maryland. An aspiring veterinarian, Perkins was eager for hands-on experience and the opportunity to build connections in the field.
Realizing that entrance into veterinary school is very competitive, the VWU senior completed the required 200 hours of experience, an essential step in her formal preparation. What she did not anticipate was just how hands-on the work actually was.
"I was very surprised with how much they let me do," said Perkins. "The doctors were open to teaching me and then trusting me to complete procedures such as administering vaccines, drawing blood, and obtaining skin scraping samples. This experience solidified my career path and helped me to see whether I want to be a surgeon, specialize, or own my own practice."
To prepare for the experience, Perkins, a Biology major, completed BIO 470: Internship in the Natural Sciences under the mentorship of Dr. Soraya Bartol, Professor of Marine Biology and Director of Undergraduate Research at VWU.
During the internship, she put all of her academic knowledge to good use. She served as a veterinary technician, tasked with assisting with the triaging of patients, filling prescriptions, working with animal and human clients, assisting in surgeries, administering x-rays, and caring for animals in the hospital boarding facility. She reflects that the most memorable moment of the internship was during a surgery.
"I was assisting in a surgery where we had to remove mammary gland tumors from a dog. Unfortunately, during the operation, we found the cancer had gone deep in the tissue and spread. This was my first time truly seeing cancerous tissue and because of the Histology course I took at VWU, I was able to look at the biopsy and identify the cancerous cells in the dog’s tissue."
When asked about her most important takeaway from the experience, Perkins shared a personal revelation.
"I learned that I need to trust myself and believe in myself because when you are confident, many things are possible."
She found the internship invaluable in so many ways.
"This experience will help me so much in veterinary school. Not only do I now have prior knowledge walking in, but I’ve also gained valuable mentors in the profession. The veterinarians I worked with expressed how willing they are to help me and guide me on my own journey to becoming a veterinarian. Dr. Pervaiz Manzoor, the hospital owner and lead veterinarian, offered me a position after graduation. I look forward to his mentorship in the year between VWU and veterinary school."
Perkins provided advice for students considering an internship.
“Go for it! An internship gives you so much insight and creates vital connections.”
To learn more about internship opportunities, visit the Career Development Program, in The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration & Discovery.
Adapted from Success Stories from The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration & Discovery, Amy Rush, Executive Director.