From 4-H to Purdue: Kaitlyn Mossett builds on her poultry roots

Growing up in a small town in Michigan, Kaitlyn Mossett developed an interest in animals and veterinary medicine through her involvement in 4-H, where she showed poultry, goats, dogs and rabbits.

Her interest in poultry began at home when she convinced her parents to let her raise chickens and ducks. Throughout high school, she gained additional experience raising laying hens, broilers and meat ducks.

When it came time to choose a college, Mossett was drawn to Purdue University because of its welcoming atmosphere and campus culture. She arrived at Purdue as an undecided student but soon found her place in the Department of Animal Sciences.

Now a senior in animal sciences with a concentration in biosciences, Mossett has built on her early experiences with poultry through internships, undergraduate research and student organizations. Although she was familiar with poultry growing up, her experiences at Purdue introduced her to opportunities within the industry she hadn't previously considered.

Expanding Her Poultry Experience

Marcos Fernandez, now professor emeritus, introduced Mossett to the Midwest Poultry Consortium's Center of Excellence Program. He also connected her with Gregory Fraley, Terry and Sandra Tucker Endowed Chair of Poultry Science and professor, who encouraged her to join the Purdue Poultry Club, where he serves as faculty advisor.

Mossett joined the club as a general member before becoming its social media manager. She went on to become president during her junior year and continues to serve in that role as a senior. Through her involvement in this club, she has strengthened her communication skills and developed connections with students and industry professionals.

“It's really helped me improve my leadership and public speaking skills while expanding my network,” Mossett said. “My favorite part of the year is the first callout meeting, getting to meet the new students and introduce them to Poultry Club.”

Her involvement in Poultry Club has also provided opportunities to attend industry events, including the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), where she connected with poultry professionals and learned more about career opportunities within the industry.

Through her connection with Fraley, Mossett became involved in undergraduate research focused on duck neuroendocrinology and behavior. She contributed to a study examining auditory enrichment on pekin duck behavior and welfare, presenting her work at Purdue's spring undergraduate research fair.

Recently, Mossett has gained hands-on laboratory experience performing tissue dissections to prepare samples for mass spectrometry. Through these experiences she has had the opportunity to develop analytical and science communication skills while gaining a better understanding of poultry behavior and physiology.

Through the Center of Excellence Program, Mossett also gained hands-on industry experience during an internship at Fremont Farms of Iowa, where she learned about layer production and poultry operations.

Mossett also completed an internship with Aviagen, working on its microbiology and biosecurity team. She gained experience in sample collection, biosecurity practices and disease prevention while working alongside poultry veterinarians.

The experience gave Mossett a broader understanding of the poultry industry and reinforced her interest in pursuing veterinary medicine.

"My experience at Aviagen really opened my eyes to the impact we can have on animal health, food safety, and disease prevention," Mossett said. "I had the opportunity to work with an incredible team that encouraged me to further explore my interests in research, animal welfare and veterinary medicine. Gaining a better understanding of the bigger picture of animal production made me even more excited to pursue a career in veterinary medicine."

Throughout her time at Purdue, Mossett has also benefited from the guidance of faculty mentors, including Fraley and Paul Ebner, head of the Department of Animal Sciences. Their mentorship has helped her explore opportunities in poultry science, develop her interests and navigate her undergraduate experience.

Beyond the guidance of her mentors, Mossett said the relationships she has built throughout the poultry industry have been among the most rewarding parts of her experiences.

“I felt like everyone I met was just so kind and open to sharing their knowledge,” Mossett said. “It's such a small industry. I mean, it's massive, but it feels so small and personal.”

Getting Involved Beyond Poultry

Mossett has served as an Animal Sciences Ambassador since her junior year. As a member of the mentoring committee, she helps coordinate HIRE (Helping Individuals Reach Excellence), a program that connects animal sciences students with mentors.

She also helps organize professional development events and leads tours for prospective students and their families, among other responsibilities.

Through this role, Mossett has developed relationships with students and faculty while becoming more confident in connecting with others.

“It’s given me the opportunity to support other students, especially through the HIRE program, while also building meaningful connections with my professors and peers,” Mossett said. “Those relationships have made my experience at Purdue so much more special."

In addition to her ambassador responsibilities, she has served as a teaching assistant for ANSC 10200: Introduction to Animal Agriculture and ANSC 23000: Physiology of Domestic Animals.

Mossett has also participated in Foal Watch and completed an internship at the Animal Sciences Research and Education Center (ASREC) Dairy Unit. Her academic achievements include earning a place on the dean's list and receiving semester honors.

Looking Ahead and Advice

Mossett has applied to veterinary schools and hopes to begin her veterinary education in fall 2027. She is particularly interested in becoming a poultry veterinarian, focusing on animal health and disease prevention, but is also considering opportunities in public health and regulatory veterinary medicine.

Through her internships, research and involvement at Purdue, she has gained a better understanding of the career opportunities available in the poultry industry and discovered where her interests lie.

For students considering a similar path, Mossett encourages them to explore new opportunities, step outside their comfort zones and approach each experience with an open mind.

“The poultry industry has so many opportunities for people who are willing to bring new perspectives and think outside the box,” Mossett said. “My biggest advice is to get involved, ask questions and never be afraid to learn or try something new. You never know where you might make an impact, so continue to show up, challenge yourself and look for ways to grow every day.”