Southeast Student and Animal Lover Morgan Reid Interns at Empire Calf Ranch

School of Polytechnic Studies; Department of Agriculture

Southeast Missouri State University agribusiness/animal science major Morgan Reid recently completed an internship at Empire Calf Ranch in Sublette, Kan., an experience she describes as “once-in-a-lifetime.”

Morgan said she has loved animals her whole life. Her career of working with animals began when she starting working on a dairy farm in her hometown of Nashville, Ill. She said she enjoyed her internship at Empire Calf Ranch so much that she hopes to continue her career there.

At her internship, “I got to work alongside some amazing people and about 24,000 baby calves. This, by far, was one of the best-run organizations I have ever seen,” she said.

Morgan said the internship opened her eyes to the opportunities she has in this field and gave her experience that will help her with her future career goals.

“I learned so much about the calves themselves and how to take better care of them. I also learned that there is still so much more to learn about them,” she said, adding, “My supervisor was the absolute best. He continued to challenge me with new information and helped me learn something new every day.”

While at the ranch, she performed a study on 150 calves. She monitored their growth weekly and their food intake daily. She documented calves as they came into the ranch, kept track of test results and did paperwork.

Morgan credits her classes in the Department of Agriculture with successfully helping her prepare for her internship.

“My animal science classes have given me the hands-on and textbook education I need to be successful in the field I want to be in,” she said. “My professors and advisor go over and beyond my expectations. They will do anything they possibly can for you to help you learn, and they are really easy to talk to.”

She said that the students in the department are also friendly.

“I have been going to Southeast for almost three years now, and I could tell you the names of almost everyone in my class. We learn so much while having a relaxing and fun time,” she said.

Morgan stays involved on campus. She drives a University shuttle bus, which, she said, helps her develop better people skills. Next semester, she also will work as a teaching assistant for the Department of Agriculture. Morgan is also a member of Campus Outreach, and she said the benefits of being a part of this group, whose purpose is to provide college students with the opportunity to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, grow in their faith and learn how to live the obedient Christian life, “go on and on. I have made so many close friends in such a wonderful environment where my faith can grow.”

In her spare time off campus, Morgan said she frequently goes to the river and Old Town Cape.

“It’s really cool to see the murals on the floodwall telling the history of Cape Girardeau,” she said. “I like going through all the antique shops and walking down the brick roads.”

Morgan said she also loves to scrapbook, and she and a couple of her friends sometimes scrapbook for hours on end. She appreciates the way the activity provides a way for them to document their college lives in a creative, fun, unique way.

Morgan wants Southeast students to know that she is a hard worker, and hard work pays off.

“You have to work for that good grade you want. No one is going to hand over a grade you don’t deserve,” she advises future Southeast students. “Work hard. Study hard. Play hard (but be safe). Being in college is a privilege, so make the best of it. Find what you love to do and run with it. Don’t ever give up on what you love, even when others think you can’t do it.”