DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - For Delaware Valley University women's lacrosse student-athlete Gabriella Guerra '28, this summer has been spent gaining valuable hands-on experience through an E360 internship at the Connecticut Junior Republic in Litchfield, Connecticut.
Working in daily livestock operations and farm management, Guerra's responsibilities include feeding and monitoring animals, checking their health and behavior, maintaining facilities, recording herd data, and assisting with the overall care and management of the farm.
"Every day looks different on the farm," Guerra said. "It's helped me understand the many moving parts involved in running a successful livestock operation."
The internship has also pushed Guerra outside of her comfort zone. From training her first show heifer to making independent decisions while caring for the animals, she's embraced every opportunity to learn.
"I handled those situations by asking questions, observing experienced workers, staying adaptable, and treating each challenge as an opportunity to learn rather than something to avoid," she said.
The experience has strengthened her livestock handling skills, improved her ability to recognize animal health and behavior, and reinforced her desire to pursue a career in the livestock industry.
"This experience has helped confirm my interest in working with beef cattle and swine and shown me how classroom concepts apply in real-world situations," Guerra said.
Guerra also credits her experience as a Division III student-athlete for preparing her for the demands of the internship.
"Being an athlete at DelVal has taught me discipline, time management, accountability, and resilience," she said. "Balancing academics, lacrosse, and other commitments has helped me develop a strong work ethic."
One of the biggest highlights of the summer has been working with the farm's calves.
"From working with them in the fields to halter breaking and training them for shows, it's been rewarding to build trust with the animals and watch their progress over time," Guerra said. "Seeing all the daily work pay off has been one of the best parts of the experience."
For fellow student-athletes thinking about a similar opportunity, Guerra encourages them to take the chance.
"Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and say yes to opportunities that challenge you," she said. "Being a student-athlete already gives you skills like teamwork, adaptability, and persistence. Apply those strengths, be willing to learn, and the experience and connections you gain can be incredibly valuable."
This summer, Guerra has continued to build on the work ethic and determination she's developed at DelVal, taking another step toward a future career in the livestock industry while gaining experiences that will benefit her long after graduation.
