Getting a job in criminal justice isn’t easy these days. Which is one reason BSU hosted its 13th annual Criminal Justice Career Night, bringing together current students with alumni in the field, as well as a diverse array of community partners that included organization such as the FBI, Secret Service and the Boys and Girls Clubs.
Dr. Jo-Ann Della Giustina, associate professor of criminal justice, emceed the event and brought the recent graduates up one by one to share their school-to-career stories, as well as some of the insights gained along the way.
There were a few common themes struck by the graduates: Start looking for that first job up to a year before graduating, take advantage of internships, and network, network, network.
Justin Fuller, ’12, a recreation officer at the Old Colony Correction Center, told those gathered that he thought he’d graduate one day and get a job the next.
“Very quickly I realized that finding that career would be difficult,” he said. He cited statistics indicating that each year tens of thousands of new graduates hit the Massachusetts criminal justice job market, which typically has about 1,000 openings.
Mr. Fuller learned quickly that, “The job market is very competitive and employers are looking for the best candidates.”
In addition to the general advice shared by all the graduates, he told the students attending the event to take the civil service exam the first chance they get.
Jason Allen’s story is a bit different. He networked his way to his first job with Worcester Initiative for Supported Reentry, despite not having the minimum years of experience listed.
“I think if I were to give anyone here advice, it would be, first of all, don’t treat any opportunity like it’s out of your reach,” the 2014 graduate said. “Just show them your passion, that’s the main thing… Whatever your passion may be... That’s going to stand out more than anything else.”
Fresh from law school and also speaking at the event was Priscilla Guerrero, ’11, now a paralegal with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. She told current students to make their most of their time at Bridgewater.
“Use every resource at BSU,” she said. “Get an internship anywhere in law enforcement.” She added that job seekers should do their due diligence when looking into the many careers in criminal justice and to always bear in mind that sometimes getting that foot in the door comes down to the adage, “Sometimes it is who you know.” (Story by John Winters, photos by Caitlin Seddon, University News & Media)
