From the High Country to the Highlands with senior Pre-Veterinary Medicine major Saige Jones
Senior Pre-Veterinary Medicine major Saige Jones always knew she was interested in pursuing a career working with animals, but it wasn’t until she traveled across the country—from California to Banner Elk—for college that her goals came fully into focus.
“Back at home I said I wanted to be a vet, but coming to Lees-McRae really solidified that this is my career path. That’s my plan A. There’s no plan B. There’s no other option,” she said.
Jones will graduate this May with a major in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and a minor in Wildlife Rehabilitation, a combination that has given her countless hours of hands-on experience in the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. There she worked with multiple animal ambassadors, including Captain the red-tailed hawk, Bindi the corn snake, and Klaus the Mississippi kite.
In addition to working in the Center, Jones is a head resident assistant, a member of the college’s student leadership organization Order of the Tower, a member of the pre-vet club, Student Government Association vice-president, a teaching assistant for courses in zoology and comparative vertebrate anatomy, a cross-country and lacrosse athlete, and more.
She said that getting involved on campus and forcing herself to break out of her comfort zone has defined her time at Lees-McRae.
“I felt if I didn’t step outside my comfort zone and put myself in these different activities, I either wouldn’t have stayed at Lees-McRae, or I wouldn’t have grown as much as I have,” Jones said. “Coming into college and coming to a place out of my comfort zone, I really grew as a person and in my confidence. I was kind of a closed off, shy person, but now I feel like I can just approach anyone and be like, ‘Oh, you need help? I got you. Here is my experience. Here’s how I can help.’ I feel like my confidence is really boosted.”
Jones has also worked as an orientation leader, acting as a campus steward for new Bobcats.
Jones’ personal growth is just the beginning. After graduation she will attend veterinary school at University of Glasgow in Scotland, and with nearly 500 logged hours of hands-on experience at the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, she said she had a leg-up during the application process.
Looking back on her time at Lees-McRae she said experiential learning and the relationships she built with faculty and other students provided both professional guidance and personal support as she adjusted to being so far from home. Looking forward, she has dreams of owning her own clinic where she hopes to serve animals big and small, from cats and dogs to horses and cows.
“I’m really blessed and grateful for this opportunity because I feel that maybe if I did go to a larger school, or a school that didn’t have our facilities like the rehab center, and two vets on campus, and a really great staff support system, I feel I probably wouldn’t be going to vet school,” Jones said. “I probably wouldn’t be where I am now.”
