McNeese Student Interns at Alligator Farm 

Getting up close and personal with alligators at Vermilion Gator Farm was a fun, productive summer for McNeese State University student Amelia Detraz. 

Growing up in a family of farmers inspired Detraz’s interest in agriculture. She chose to study agricultural sciences at McNeese to experience the close-knit community on campus. 

Over the summer, Detraz interned at Vermilion Gator Farm in her hometown of Abbeville. 

“I loved learning more about the alligator industry and working with the alligators hands-on,” Detraz explained. 

She applied information about habitats and wildlife she learned at McNeese to understand the alligators on an in-depth level.  

While working with the animals was Detraz’s main responsibility, she also experienced firsthand how a business runs.  

She explained that the most important thing she learned is the organization and dedication it takes to run a business. “Teamwork is the key to success,” Detraz said.  

In the future, she aims to do coastal work and to work with wildlife.  

Detraz encourages McNeese students seeking internships to step outside of their comfort zone. 

“You never know what may end up sparking your interest,” Detraz said

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