Ag Journeys
Naima Zainab Seabrooks
Name: Naima Zainab Seabrooks
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA (Go Birds!)
Major: Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Minor: Biology
Clubs and organizations: Pre-Vet Club, Black Caucus, Small and Exotic Animal Club
Penn State campus where you started: Berks
Are you a first-generation college student? Yes
Good at: Staying active, drawing, PC games, baking, supporting all Philly teams (Say it again, Go Birds!)
Perfect college experience for me.
“I started at Penn State Berks, commuting from home. Some of my friends went straight to colleges in the Philly area. They were having fun, going out, while I was mostly hitting the books. Early on I wondered if I had chosen the wrong college experience. But now, here I am at University Park, deep in courses relevant to animals, setting myself up for vet school success. It might not be for everyone, but it has been the perfect college experience for me.”
My wildlife journey started on the couch.
“I’m a city kid. The TV show Wild Kratts and the musical movie Rio ripped me off the couch in Philly and opened the whole wild world for me. From kindergarten on, I knew I was going to be a wildlife veterinarian. Also—shout out to all the parents out there. What do your kids watch? It really matters. For me, it inspired a lifelong passion and launched a career.”
“My sister was playing with Barbies, I was thinking about playing with wild animals.”
Surrounded by porcupines.
“My first hands-on experience with wild animals was interning at the Elmwood Zoo in Norristown, outside Philly. The team there was great, and they put a lot of trust in me right away. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by porcupines, giving a talk to zoo visitors. I thought these little dudes were going to shoot their quills at me. Fun fact, porcupines don’t shoot their quills. That’s a myth. But, like I said, I’m a city kid, and that’s when I found out.”
Motivated by discouragement.
“When I first started looking at the path to becoming a vet, I got lots of negative feedback. School is too expensive. The classes are too hard. There aren’t many veterinarians who look like you. Discouraging? Just the opposite. I have something to prove. I push myself every moment. I have a goal here, and if I want something, I’m going to get it.”
“Commit to your passion; this is your life to live.”
Three pokes and you’re out in Costa Rica.
“Last year I jumped on a Penn State study abroad/internship in Costa Rica, alongside current vet school students from across the country. This is nothing like vet care in the states. Sterile conditions, anesthesia, you name it—different. I volunteered to put catheters in animals before surgery. They had a policy: get it done in three attempts, or you’re done. I was scared, but I jumped in and did it— and got it on the second try. It was a pivotal learning experience.”
Big piece of advice. Plan, plan, plan.
“Big piece of advice for every incoming student—take first-year seminar seriously. Some kids think of it as a blow off course. Don’t. It’s a great intro to college academic life and Penn State in particular. Plan, plan, plan. Organization and time management are the big secrets to Penn State success. I go old school and use paper and pencil. I write everything down.”
