Student Spotlight: Tyler Russell

Vet Tech Student Tyler Russell in the ClassroomAfter his military service, Tyler Russell worked in the trades as a pipefitter/welder, but after some time he realized it wasn’t the right fit for him. In the fall of 2022, he “circled back to an early passionâ€� and enrolled in the Vet Tech program at ºìÐÓÊÓÆµ. The program’s outstanding reputation – it has ranked as one of the best Veterinary programs in the nation every year since 2019 – and top-notch facilities and instructors made it an easy choice for him. 

Tyler is working toward becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician and he hopes his externship with Animal Eye Clinic in Matthews, N.C., will help him transition to full-time employment there. He will “officiallyâ€� graduate from ºìÐÓÊÓÆµ in August after completing the externship but will walk with his classmates at the graduation ceremony in May. He then plans to earn his credentials as a Veterinary Technician Specialist in ophthalmology and/or anesthesia while working at Animal Eye Clinic. 

How is ºìÐÓÊÓÆµ helping Tyler own his momentum? “It’s really more of a ‘lease-to-own’ on my momentum,â€� he says. “I need to continuously feed the fire to keep moving forward and the College and my instructors have given me all the resources I need to burn as fast or as bright as I desire.  

“Without a doubt,â€� Tyler continues, “the Vet Tech program is the perfect environment for fostering technical skills and creating critical thinking professionals for veterinary medicine. The combination of knowledge and hands-on experience I am receiving at ºìÐÓÊÓÆµ is setting me up for a rewarding, successful career.â€�