Texas Tech University

Jessica Mehta, M.S.

Photo Description

Biography

I grew up in a small town in South Carolina about 2 hours from the coast.  I attended Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, and I graduated with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Integrated Science.  During my sophomore year, I took a course in Ornithology; thus began both my passion for birds and my interest in wildlife conservation.  Additionally, during my senior year, I went to Minnesota for 3 weeks and studied predator/prey relationships and animal tracking.  After graduating, I became a wildlife rehabilitation extern at the Wildlife Center of Virginia for 3 months.  I got to work with an incredible variety of animals including hawks, vultures, owls, opossums, squirrels, snakes, bats, and fawns- all of which furthered my interest in wildlife conservation and management.  Upon completing my M.S. degree, I hope to work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or become a Park Ranger.  If I choose to get a Ph.D., I would love to teach Ornithology at the college level.