Academic Programs > For Prospective Students > Meet Our Students > Lisa Bornt
Lisa Bornt
Hometown: Westminster, MD
Major: Animal Science—Care and Management
I was first attracted to the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources because the university has a great reputation for academics, and I wanted real-lab experience for my degree.
When I came to the university, I was sure that I wanted to be a veterinarian and wasn’t interested in exploring any other options. Now that I’ve been at the university, I’m not sure that that’s the right road for me. I’ve learned that there are so many other careers out there for animal science majors: research, government, and teaching, to name a few. I want to explore all my career options instead of blindly focusing on just one option.
I’ve truly enjoyed all my animal science classes, but three—Introduction to Animal Science, Livestock Management, and Small Ruminant Parturition (Lamb Watch)—stand out because they offered me hands-on experience working with animals and engaging in management practices such as vaccinations or herding.
I also loved the undergraduate research project I participated in with Dr. Robert Peters on monitoring body temperature in dairy cattle as a way to prevent uterine infections after they give birth. The project involved an internship at the college’s Central Maryland Research and Education Center—sometimes referred to as the dairy farm—in Clarksville, MD. Being there at six in the morning to clean stalls, feed and milk cows, and monitor the study animals was a wonderful experience for me because I’d never done any farm work or research before. I was nervous going into it, but I learned that you really can do anything if you keep your mind open, listen, and follow directions.
While studying in Angers, France, last summer I shifted my focus from animals to plants. I focused on viticulture because I wanted to learn more about how to cultivate grape vines, as well as learn about wine-making. I had a wonderful time in the classroom, as well as on the weekend trips that included visits to the beaches of Normandy, Mount St. Michel, the Loire Valley Castles, and a final three days in Paris. I was also blessed to find an internship through the program where I spent almost two months working at a summer camp near Laval, France, helping French teenagers practice English. It was a fantastic experience!
The University of Maryland is a special place. There are classes I’ve taken and people I’ve met that I’ll always remember, especially the faculty and staff of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who are always friendly and willing to help any student succeed in their chosen area of study. I’ve been thoroughly impressed with everyone from the dean of the college all the way down. It’s been an amazing time in my life that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Advice for prospective students: Keep an open mind. You might come thinking you’ll be a landscape architecture major and find that you love biology. Or you might think you’ll be an animal science major and find that you want to study agribusiness instead. Just be receptive and your passion will find you.
Advice for parents of prospective students: Be patient. I know it’s still hard for my parents to let go and let me make my own decisions, but their support and patience has made it easier for me to find what I really love…and it makes it easier for me to seek advice from them when I’m not sure what to do. Life is always a journey; you don’t have to hold your children’s hands constantly—just be there waiting for them to take hold again.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Weiss
Last updated: 03/9/2009
Video-HGIC Intro
Need help in the garden? View HGIC's latest video to see who we are and what we do. Then be a good friend and share the link with others! - posted Nov 23, 2009
What do Katie O'Malley, cover crops, and onthefarmradio.com have in common?
Answer: The Grow It Eat It Campaign! Onthefarmradio.com, promotes cover crops and the Grow It Eat It campaign with Katie O'Malley's Kitchen Garden. - posted Nov 19, 2009
10 unusual majors can get you these jobs
From CNN.com - The importance of choosing your college major has never been so important. Explore Food Science and Natural Resouces as options. - posted Oct 26, 2009
