News
RUSVM Welcomes Fifteen New Summer Interns from Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College
06/21/11
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts--In partnership with Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC), Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine began its summer 2011 internship program, last week, with fifteen new students. The program is a mutually beneficial opportunity for the CFBC students and the University, as the students receive training and RUSVM is provided additional support services.
For the fifteen students participating in the internship, their summer will differ from many of their peers who are in the middle of school break. The interns’ summer will be full of developing people skills, adjusting to being in a work environment and most importantly, learning about the many great opportunities that Ross University has to offer. The ten-week program begins in June and runs through August. During the session, students are assigned to various departments—from information technology, facilities, safety and security, as well as, veterinary labs, such as clinical skills and diagnostic services. In addition to their internship assignment, the students participate in weekly professional development designed to strengthen skills such as professionalism, time management, communication and interviewing.
Reactions to this opportunity from the interns have been consistently positive and many find the experience rewarding and hands-on, with the professionalism sessions providing interactive, timely and relevant information toward their career goals. Even with the participants just beginning the program last week, many have cited a variety of learning experiences. Zoie Hamilton, first year CFBC student of French Literature and Applied Math, commented on the unique experience, “Meeting all of the wonderful people at Ross who care so much about the school and the animals is a great experience for me and I am learning so much.”
In addition to the interns learning about the work environment at RUSVM, the managers responsible for these interns have also been afforded a unique opportunity to interact with just a few of the youth of the island, gaining insight which will assist in future interactions with youth in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The experience and knowledge that these fifteen individuals will gain throughout the next two months will last well into their adult life, as they develop their chosen field of work. The techniques and trades learned at RUSVM will assist in refining their career focus and provide skills important to the future of the Federation. Since 2004, when the program began, information and feedback from participants have been overwhelmingly positive which assists in the continued growth of the internship experience.
“This is another chance for Ross University to continue its outreach in the community and provide a learning opportunity to local college students,” said Kizzy Dedier, human resources generalist and internship program organizer. “Many of our interns are hired by RUSVM, and other businesses, following college because of the experience they gained as an intern at the University.”
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine hosts the internship program annually each summer.
About Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Ross University is a provider of medical and veterinary education, offering Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree programs. Founded in 1982 and located in St. Kitts, West Indies, the School of Veterinary Medicine is accredited by the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board and the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education to offer the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program (AVMA COE, 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173, 847-925-8070). The School of Veterinary Medicine is affiliated with 22 AVMA-accredited U.S. veterinary schools where students complete their clinical year. The University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital is the only facility outside the U.S. and Canada accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.
Ross University’s administrative offices are located in North Brunswick, NJ. For more information about Ross University, visit www.RossU.edu.
