Future Veterinarian Javen Styons Follows His Passion for Pets

Javen Styons is ready to pursue a career he is passionate about—one that blends his childhood love for animals with a personal desire to help both creatures and their owners. As a dual-enrolled student at Beaufort County Community College (Beaufort CCC) and Beaufort County Early College High School, Styons will earn his Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees, along with his high school diploma. He plans to transfer to North Carolina State University to study veterinary medicine.

Styons’s love of animals and their medical needs goes back to his childhood. His first pet, an exotic turtle, was an experience filled with both joy and heartache when the turtle was accidentally poisoned with pellets that unfortunately resembled food pellets. In another mishap, Styons accidentally ripped the tail off of a pet gerbil. In his first act of veterinary medicine, he attempted to glue it back on. Despite these tragic moments, his love for animals endured, expanding to include a variety of pets, including dogs, birds, and even a bearded dragon. More recently, Styons has found companionship in sugar gliders, small, nocturnal creatures known for their gliding ability.

"From a young age, I've always had pets, and no matter the animal, I’ve felt a special connection with them," Styons reflects. "It’s not that I understand them, but I’m able to be patient with them. Animals are like people in a way—everyone has their own thought process, but we all have good intentions at heart."

Styons’s career priorities have changed as his circumstances have changed, perhaps counterintuitively. Early in his academic career, he was interested in professions based exclusively on which would bring in the most income, initially considering a career as a pharmacist, anesthesiologist, or even a neurosurgeon. But after moving out on his own, his priorities shifted.

"I grew up with a strong focus on money, as my family struggled financially for years," Styons admits. "But when I moved out, I realized that money isn't everything. It's important, yes, but doing something you enjoy and feel passionate about is far more fulfilling."

He is a second-generation Beaufort CCC student, with his mother attending the college to start her nursing career, which helped put the family on a more stable financial course.

After moving out, Styons took some time to figure out the career he wanted for himself, deciding to follow his heart instead of just a paycheck. He acknowledges that veterinary school is highly competitive, but his determination to pursue his dream remains strong. If NC State does not work out, Styons is prepared to take a different route, possibly enrolling in a veterinary technician program before transferring.

"I know that getting into vet school is tough, but I’m going to do everything I can to make it happen. It’s about proving to myself that I can follow through with something I’m passionate about," Styons explains.

Styons's passion for animals also translates into a desire to help people in other ways. He has a unique perspective on the struggles many people face, noting that just like animals, many people hide their pain or struggles behind a facade. Styons's ability to empathize with both animals and people alike sets him apart.

"Animals and people are similar in many ways. They both have their own challenges and ways of dealing with things. The way I look at it, if I can help an animal in need, I can help a person too. And it all comes down to understanding and patience."

His experiences at Beaufort CCC have further shaped his view of the world and his future. As a BCCC ambassador, Styons has met people from various walks of life, and these interactions have helped him develop a more mature perspective on both his studies and his personal life.

"The Early College program has been a great experience for me," he says. "It helped me mature quickly and made me realize that hard work and dedication really pay off. It’s not just about the grades—it’s about learning to handle the pressures and challenges of life."

Styons’s time at the college has also made him appreciate the close-knit environment of the campus. "The instructors here know your name and genuinely care about you. It’s a more personalized experience compared to larger campuses, and it’s one of the things I really appreciate."

Embracing this new outlook that success is not measured solely by wealth or status—it is about following your passion and helping others along the way—Styons is letting his love for animals, his understanding of people, and his drive to make a difference guide him toward a fulfilling future.