MSU CVM offers externships for veterinary students (preference given to third and fourth year students) and veterinary technician students with our faculty located at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) in Gulfport, MS. Externships are seasonal (February-August) with a central focus on rescue, rehabilitation, and release of stranded sea turtles and disease investigations of stranded cetaceans. Externs will work directly with the MSU CVM veterinarians, veterinary staff, and the IMMS Stranding Department staff to participate in many aspects of care, including physical exams, minor surgical procedures, ultrasound, phlebotomy, gastroscopy, field- and laboratory-based necropsy, anesthesia, daily rounds, and collecting diagnostic samples. Externs may also gain experience with animal trainers, researchers, and aquarists. Veterinary student externships are 3-4 weeks in duration and veterinary technician student externships are 2-3 weeks in duration.
Extern Responsibilities
All externs are required to adhere to MSU CVM policies. Externs are expected to work Monday through Friday from 8 am - 5 pm, with the potential for extended, weekend, and on-call hours as needed to accommodate potential emergency and rescue events. Externs will be expected to give a 30-minute presentation during the last week of the externship on an assigned topic. There is no compensation offered to externs. Transportation and housing are not provided; however, IMMS staff members can help identify housing arrangements if needed.
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