Careers in animal health, veterinary medicine and sustainable agriculture are growing nationwide, offering students strong job prospects in fields ranging from clinical care to research and food systems.
At the University of Maine, that national trend is translating into increased interest — and competition — for the animal and veterinary sciences program as the May 1 college decision deadline approaches.
Enrollment in the program has been increasing since before the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to grow due to an interest in fostering local, sustainable food systems, according to faculty in the School of Food and Agriculture.
The pandemic further accelerated interest as more households adopted pets and the need for veterinary care expanded. This has been especially visible in Maine, where the demand for veterinarians and animal health technicians is so high that several loan-forgiveness programs hope to attract experts to rural areas.
“The demand for animal science professionals is high and our students never lack for job opportunities,” said Suzanne Ishaq, associate professor of microbiomes and associate director of special projects in the School of Food and Agriculture.
The UMaine program prepares students for a wide range of careers, including veterinary medicine, animal health, research, agriculture and related industries. About 20% of graduates go on to veterinary or medical school, while others move directly into careers in animal health, research and agriculture-related industries.
Students can tailor their studies through concentrations in pre-veterinary sciences, equine sciences and bioscience medical microbiology while building a foundation in animal biology, nutrition, disease, physiology and management.
Hands-on learning is a central component of the program. At the university’s J.F. Witter Teaching and Research Center, students gain hands-on experience working with dairy cattle and horses, often managing real-world challenges on a working farm.
All students participate in required research experiences, working alongside faculty on projects that span animal and environmental health. Current opportunities include studying microbiomes, investigating the impacts of a toxic group of chemicals known as PFAS on farms, exploring animal reproduction, examining aquatic species health, analyzing equine physiology and tracking infectious diseases in wildlife.
“These experiences allow students to connect what they’re learning in the classroom to real-world applications,” Ishaq said.
Faculty say many students enter the program with a strong interest in working with animals but are still exploring specific career paths. The program’s structure allows them to refine that focus while gaining the practical skills and scientific training needed to enter the field or continue to advanced study.
A new joint concentration connects the pre-veterinary science and the microbiology bachelor’s programs for students who want to specialize in biomedicine, epidemiology or health research.
“There’s a clear connection between what students study here and the careers they pursue after graduation,” Ishaq said. “This is a field where the need is growing, and our students are well prepared to meet it.”
Contact: David Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu
