McNeese Student Interns at White-Tailed Deer Breeding Facility 

McNeese State University senior, Dixie Guidry, interned at a private white-tailed deer breeding facility over the summer in Macon, Mississippi.  

Guidry, natural resource conservation management major from Egan, learned the importance of teamwork when working alongside a fellow intern at the facility. 

“There were times when things didn’t go as planned, which is to be expected when working with wildlife and unpredictable outdoor conditions. It was vital to know how to communicate effectively,” she explained.  

Guidry appreciated learning how to adjust to what each day brought and the knowledge of deer behavior that she acquired, which will be beneficial to her future career. 

She elaborated that it is vital for students to have experience prior to graduating. “I am grateful for the wide range of work that I was able to see and do. Having this knowledge about deer patterns will help me in the future to work with deer and conduct research.” 

Guidry’s determination and motivation to excel in wildlife sciences grew immensely as the summer went by.  

“From the first day of internship it was easy to look at things on the property and relate them to things I learned in the classroom. My natural resource conservation management class laid a foundation for me and really impacted how I observed all things during my summer,” she explained. “I also got to apply my medication administration skills from my animal science lab to treat deer and give any necessary medications.” 

Guidry was able to learn problem-solving skills in real time while working separately from others on the remote property. “I understand that guidance is not always readily available and will eventually need to make decisions for my own team,” she said. 

Planning to pursue a master’s degree in conservation and wildlife sciences, Guidry hopes to make a career in research or work for wildlife and fisheries as a biologist.  

“Ultimately, I would love to run research projects for conservation efforts on white tailed deer and other cervids,” she says.  

Guidry did not start out as a conservation major at McNeese but was drawn to the program and eventually gave into her passion for the field. Making a difference in the world has always been close to her heart. 

“From the first time I visited campus as a freshman and spoke with the students and faculty, it gave me a sense of home away from home. I knew I wanted to be somewhere that I felt supported and like I belonged,” she expressed. She also appreciates the smaller classes which help build community. 

She challenges students to get out of their comfort zone when seeking internships. 

“Don’t go in with expectations of what you think it will be but instead be optimistic about what it could be,” she advises. “No information or skill that you learn will be useless and try to take advantage of every opportunity you get to learn something new.”