WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 Good morning, everybody. Welcome to Western Oregon University. 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:05.000 Um, I'm really happy to see you all here today. 00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:09.000 It's a great day for visiting the campus, so we were lucky today with the weather. 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:14.000 This is our 38th annual career day. We've been doing this for a really long time. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:18.000 Almost as long as we've existed. I'm Misty Weitzel. 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:21.000 I'm our Criminal Justice Sciences Division Chair. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:25.000 I also am a professor and my area is forensic anthropology, 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:28.000 which I'll talk to you about a little bit more later. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:33.000 We have a very long and proud history of criminal justice at Western. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:37.000 We started our program in the late 1960's. 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:39.000 To me that doesn't seem like that long ago. 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:43.000 To all you, [laughing] I realize that's like a century ago. 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:47.000 Um, but yeah, we started out and we were just, at that time, 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:48.000 we were corrections. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.000 Pretty much that was it. These days, we have a lot more. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:56.000 We've broadened our horizons. We have a lot more people in the program 00:00:56.000 --> 00:00:57.000 and we have a lot of areas. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:00:60.000 So, you can get two degrees in criminal justice. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.000 You can get your Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice, 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:09.000 or you could get your Bachelor of Science in Cybercrime Investigation and Enforcement, 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:11.000 or Cyber Security. 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:14.000 So, those are your two options for criminal justice. 00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:19.000 In addition to that, if you want to, you can augment your degree 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:21.000 and we have minors in Juvenile Justice. 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:26.000 We have a very strong Youth Crime Studies or Juvenile Justice program here. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:28.000 A lot of faculty teaching in those areas. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:30.000 Forensic Anthropology, as I mentioned, 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:33.000 I brought forensic anthropology to this university in 2012. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:37.000 We're the only forensic anthropology program in Oregon. 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:41.000 And then we have a minor in Criminal Justice and we have a minor in Cyber Security as well. 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:44.000 So, sometimes when people are majoring in other areas, 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:48.000 they choose those minors. But, you could do something like be a Criminal Justice major 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:50.000 with a cybercrime minor, too. 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:53.000 Then, we have these things called concentrations. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:56.000 And, concentrations are built into your degree. 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:59.000 So, when you're getting your Bachelors degree, if you-- 00:01:59.000 --> 00:01:62.000 you have to take certain amount of electives as part of that degree. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:10.000 So, we have five concentrations. Corrections, Homeland Security, Forensic Anthropology, 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:13.000 Law Enforcement, and Juvenile Justice. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:18.000 So those are all areas that you can tailor your degree to be more specialized in. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:21.000 We're honored to have a visit from the provost today. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:24.000 Provost Cole, and I will pass it on to you. Thanks very much. 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:32.000 Good morning. First of all, welcome to Western Oregon University. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:36.000 Uh, we have a very long history in criminal justice, as-- 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:40.000 as already delivered to you and prepared for you. Remarkable faculty. 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:43.000 You're obviously here because you want to serve. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:46.000 Somewhere, either in your community, you want to serve your state, 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:48.000 or you want to serve nationally. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:51.000 You have, somewhere in there, a passion to be a servant agent 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:54.000 and that's what a criminal justice degree provides for you, right? 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:56.000 That you're going to have the skills and the ability, 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:60.000 the critical thinking to go back into your community and do good. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:02.000 And that's what we want from every student. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:06.000 Uh, we want you to be able to come to Western, acquire critical thinking skills, 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:11.000 acquire good practical skills, and then actually be able to go out into your community 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:13.000 and do good. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:17.000 Now, Oregon, the four corners of Oregon. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:18.000 You cannot visit any four corners of Oregon 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:23.000 and not find someone that has actually stepped through this-- this door. 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:26.000 Everyone in Oregon somewhere, in law enforcement, 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:28.000 has been impacted by this program. 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:32.000 For someone that actually has a lot of colleagues in criminal justice, 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:34.000 or in law enforcement in particularly, 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:39.000 I'm always astonished to hear, uh, their connection to Western Oregon University. 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:41.000 And that speaks volumes to our program. 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:43.000 It speaks volumes to the history of our program. 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:48.000 And it speaks volume to your desire to walk through those doors and sit in the same spot, 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:51.000 thinking about the same questions that thousands of individuals 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:53.000 have come through our program and graduated 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:55.000 and have had a positive impact on our community. 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:58.000 And, as a Provost, and I think President Peters would say, 00:03:58.000 --> 00:03:60.000 we want you to be wolves. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:02.000 We want you to be part of this community. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:05.000 Our faculty care, our advisors care, our staff care 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:08.000 for your success at Western Oregon University. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:10.000 So, you've made already a commitment. 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:13.000 You're already a part of our community. You're here with us. 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:17.000 And we expect you, and I expect you, to make that through. 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:20.000 Come to Western Oregon University. Major in Criminal Justice, 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:22.000 go back to the community- don't pull me over. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:26.000 Pull everybody else over, but don't pull me over. Do good. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:30.000 That's all I ask. Whatever degree you decide to get at Western Oregon University, 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:31.000 just do good to your community. 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:35.000 And, if you earn a Criminal Justice degree, I know you will do good. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:39.000 Because our faculty are going to prepare you and give you the needed skills 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:42.000 so you can actually be a servant agent in your community. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:45.000 With that, thank you very much for being with us here this morning. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:50.000 Enjoy your day. Ask a question. Shake a lot of hands. Take a lot of notes. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:53.000 And, I look forward to seeing you when you're ready to be part of our community. 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:55.000 Thank you. [Applause] 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:58.000 We're going to take some time to learn about 00:04:58.000 --> 00:04:61.000 what some of our graduates are doing with their degrees now. 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:04.000 As a reminder, Dr. Weitzel introduced me, 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:07.000 but I am Dr. Taryn Vanderpyl. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:10.000 My focus is on corrections, which means prisons and jails. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:13.000 I go into prison a lot. I'll be in prison on Friday. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:15.000 I'm told it sounds weird when I say that. 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:20.000 So, uh, that's something I'm try-- trying to give a little bit of disclosure. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:23.000 I also like to take students into prison with me. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:26.000 Prison is very fun to visit when you are allowed to leave. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:30.000 So, if you're going to go to prison, please only go with me. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:33.000 If you-- if you don't go with me, I'll still help you when you get out. 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:35.000 That is-- is my area of focus. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:39.000 I've been with Western for five years now and I absolutely love it here. 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:43.000 I taught at a couple other universities before this and Western is definitely the right fit. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:46.000 So, I hope to see you here in the future. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:50.000 In the meantime though, let's talk about, uh, some folks who have already been here 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:52.000 and have already graduated from here. 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:56.000 If we could just go down the line. Would you introduce yourself, 00:05:56.000 --> 00:05:58.000 tell the year that you graduated, 00:05:58.000 --> 00:05:60.000 what agency you're working with now, 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:02.000 and what you do in your profession. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:03.000 If you would start us off please. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:07.000 Yeah, my name is Cody Wolf. I graduated in 2018. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:10.000 Uh, I am a law enforcement Deputy for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:13.000 and I am currently assigned to our Transit Police division. 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:17.000 Uh, and I have an explosive K9, um like, bomb sniffing dog. 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:22.000 My name is Benjamin Chittock. I graduated in 2020. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:26.000 I work at the, uh, Northwest Regional Re-Entry Center. It's a little bit of a mouth full. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:30.000 Um, I'm a case manager there and I work specifically in what's 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:32.000 called the Aid and Assist Program. 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:35.000 And that's a program for offenders who have been arrested, 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:38.000 but are deemed incompetent to stand trial. 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:40.000 And, that means basically it would be unconstitutional 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:42.000 if they were to go to trial in their current state. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:44.000 You know, they could be taken advantage of by the D.A 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:47.000 or say something that would incriminate them. 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:50.000 So, what I do as their case manager is I, you know, 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:56.000 besides just lowering barriers to care, um, I help them with their competency restoration, 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:61.000 study their legal skills and, uh, prepare them for a potential trial. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:05.000 I'm Hustin Demir. I work for the Washington County Sheriff's Office 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:09.000 in the Forensic Science unit. I graduated in 2015. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:13.000 And, what I do now is process crime scenes and play with dead bodies. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:18.000 Cool. Uh, I'm Matthew Coyle. I work for the United States Department of Justice 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:19.000 with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:24.000 Um, I graduated in 2020, and I am a United States Correctional Officer. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:29.000 My name is Kevin Jones, Uh, I work for the FBI based out of Salem. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:33.000 Uh, headquartered out of Portland. I graduated in 2012. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:37.000 Um, I am an adjunct faculty here with the criminal justice program. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:42.000 So, I teach classes and I'm also a member of our evidence response team. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:44.000 So, I also get to look at dead bodies. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:49.000 My name is Aaron Stotler. I work for Yamhill County Juvenile Detention. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:52.000 I am a supervisor there. I work with youth in the detention facility and, 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:55.000 uh, that's just the day-to-day. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:56.000 Thank you. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:59.000 Um, Matt, We're going to start with you because I've had you in class 00:07:59.000 --> 00:07:60.000 so I can pick on you first. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:04.000 Can you explain to us what made you choose Western? 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:07.000 Yeah, um, so it's actually kind of cool. When I was 17, 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:10.000 I came up here from California, out of state. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:14.000 And, I actually sat in this exact same room where you guys are right now. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:15.000 And, I saw this same panel, so it kinda comes full circle 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:19.000 that I'm now on the panel as an alumni, as a professional. 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:24.000 And, um, I chose Western because I knew I wanted to serve, 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:30.000 um, my community and criminal justice was something I was very interested in at the time. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:31.000 And still am. 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:38.000 And, I chose Western because, well, they have a giant criminal justice program here 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:43.000 and not many other universities in the state of Oregon have large criminal justice programs. 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:48.000 Um, I just liked the campus and the faculty that I met when I was here 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:51.000 when I was in high school. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:52.000 And, just was very inviting. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:56.000 And I was just excited to start learning everything I could 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:58.000 while I was here and enrolled. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:60.000 How about you, Cody? 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:03.000 Uh, I chose Western, uh, I'm kind of a homebody, 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:05.000 so I just, I lived outside of Portland my whole life. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:09.000 And so it was kind of nice to have a University that was pretty close to home. 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:15.000 Um, I really appreciated and enjoyed all, like, the meeting I came to, all the, 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:18.000 uh, career fair days, just like all of you are here for today. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:21.000 Um, the staff was wonderful. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:24.000 And then, the thing that really appealed to me as well was the small class size. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:29.000 Um, I didn't want to just be another, kind of like, number in a class. 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:33.000 When you talk to like, you went to like Oregon State or U of O for example, 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:36.000 it was like three or four hundred people in class. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:39.000 And, here I was like maybe one of fifteen or twenty, 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:42.000 so I felt like I had a really personal connection with all my professors. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:46.000 And that's something that really appealed to me and really kind of swayed my decision to, 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:49.000 uh, to be a Western Oregon Wolf. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:51.000 Thank you. 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:53.000 Aaron, I want to come to you for the next question. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:58.000 What classes did you like best, or-- or, in which classes did you learn the most? 00:09:58.000 --> 00:09:62.000 Which professors contributed to those learning? 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:06.000 Yeah, so, um, I forgot to mention, 2015 is when I graduated. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:10.000 And, uh, Criminology, and uh, I think it was quantitative methods. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:15.000 I know I had a professor, Tom O'Connor, at the time. Hopefully it's okay to name drop. 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:21.000 But, uh, he was really great. Um, you know, the small class size definitely had, 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:24.000 uh, a large part in just feeling, 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:30.000 uh, heard and it was really easy to communicate with those professors. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:34.000 And, it was really fun. 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:37.000 Um, and I, you know, speaking to Tom O'Connor at the time, that professor. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:46.000 Uh, his techniques and, uh, discussion, and his abilities to lead groups 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:52.000 and be as warm and welcoming to take students with him to those facilities 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:58.000 and to just demonstrate strong leadership skills at that time was really inspiring. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:10:62.000 And, uh, it was really great. So, and I learned a lot during those courses. 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:08.000 Awesome. Thank you. And Tom O'Connor still teaches some classes for us from time to time. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:10.000 And he still is, in fact, fantastic. So, that's good. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:12.000 Hustin, how 'bout you? 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:16.000 Um, just to reiterate on Tom O'Connor. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:18.000 He uh, he nicknamed me the ice queen in college. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:22.000 He gave me a lot to think about. It was fun. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:24.000 But, apparently I had a hard Justice stance. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:32.000 I think I was most challenged in my Forensic Osteology class. Thank you, Ms. Dr. Weitzel. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:38.000 Um, that was the first class that I ever actually had to study in, I think. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:41.000 That, that didn't come super naturally to me. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:45.000 So, I had to work really hard and that was really good for me. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:48.000 It kind of like, kicked me down a notch and I was like, 'ah crap'. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:51.000 Um, so I appreciated that. I really liked the challenge of it. 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:57.000 And, all of my courses in-- within my discipline, really. I fit the bill for what I wanted to do. 00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:60.000 Thank you. Kevin, how 'bout you? 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:04.000 Um, I wouldn't say that there was one class in particular that was-- 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:09.000 that was overly memorable as far as what really challenged me the most. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:13.000 I-- I do remember coming from, um, coming from high school, 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:15.000 I went to high school in North Portland over in Benson, 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:19.000 and uh, and I remember that I never really had to study. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:23.000 When I came-- when I came to Western, I realized that that's not how this works. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:29.000 And prior to that, I hadn't really drawn the connection between actually studying 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:31.000 and receiving good grades. 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:33.000 So, when I made that connection my freshman year. 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:38.000 Luckily it was the first term, my freshman year, um, that I realized the more you study 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:41.000 the better grades you get and then the more opportunities you have. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:43.000 And then I started getting scholarships and all these other things. 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:47.000 But, um, there was one class. And I can't remember exactly what class it was, 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:52.000 but I was undeclared as my-- as my major, um, for quite a while. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:57.000 And I realized criminal justice was going to be more of a natural interest because, 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:61.000 my freshman year I was taking biology classes and education. 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:03.000 I was trying to determine what I was going to do. 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:07.000 And I had a friend of mine come into the dorms and we're talking about classes we were taking. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:11.000 And, uh, and he was talking about in his criminal justice class, 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:15.000 they were talking about how to-- how certain drugs are made. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:18.000 And I remember like, you're doing that in-- in school. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:20.000 And he said, "Yeah, well I mean, 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:25.000 in order for us to figure out the way to address this appropriately as professionals, 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:27.000 we need to at least have our basic understanding" 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:29.000 And I remember thinking that was really cool. 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:33.000 And-- and, being able to-- just being able to have, you know, kind of an inside look at-- 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:36.000 at the world of criminal justice was just pretty natural to me. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:40.000 And then, so I took the first class which was that exact class and I was hooked. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:43.000 I remember it was-- it just seemed like a natural fit. 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:47.000 Nice. Thank you. Ben, I want to come to you next. 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:50.000 In what ways do you think Western prepared you for your career? 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:53.000 Yeah, it helped me tremendously, honestly. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:56.000 The-- the first thing that comes to mind 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:59.000 is having a strong understanding of the court system, 00:13:59.000 --> 00:13:62.000 and just the criminal justice system as a whole. 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:07.000 Uh, I mean, it's hard enough as a normal person to navigate and understand that. 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:10.000 And, it's extremely difficult for someone 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:13.000 with severe and persistent mental illness to understand. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:18.000 And I can't teach and help them understand if I don't understand it myself, so, you know. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:23.000 Understanding the difference between a suspended sentence and a conditional release. 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:27.000 Um, you know, just basic things like that were-- were huge for me. 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:30.000 I just, I came into the job already knowing those things. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:33.000 I didn't have to learn as I went. It definitely gave me a head start. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:38.000 And then another thing that really comes to mind and I would recommend you don't avoid 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:42.000 is taking the uh, professional writing in criminal justice class. 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:43.000 If it's-- if it's still offered here. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:51.000 Hugely, hugely important to understand that everything you write in criminal justice 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:53.000 can be eventually taken to court. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:55.000 Even something you write, you know, ten years ago, 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:58.000 can eventually come to light in a court. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:61.000 And just, yeah, having that understanding of how to write properly, 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:06.000 the importance of punctuation, and just how to take good notes was-- was really helpful for me. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:11.000 That's great, thank you. Matt, can I hit you with that question as well? 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:15.000 What about your degree from Western helped prepare you for your career? 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:18.000 Yeah, I'm very similar with that. Um, the writing is huge. 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:21.000 In my job, writing reports, writing probable causes, uh, writing incident reports. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:25.000 Whatever profession you-- or, you know, program you guys decide to go into, 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:27.000 it's absolutely huge. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:33.000 Uh, I remember sitting in freshman year and not knowing how to write really at all. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:37.000 And through, I think I took a writing course every year-- 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:39.000 or multiple writing courses every year I was here. 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:47.000 And, they were difficult, but you know, had to learn APA style and all that good stuff [chuckle]. 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:53.000 But, learning how to put facts down on paper properly 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:58.000 and taking your opinion away from factual writing is really important, 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:61.000 especially in-- in criminal justice profession. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:04.000 And, um, yeah, punctuation. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:07.000 All of that. I'd say those were the most valuable courses that I took. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:11.000 Police report writing was great. The criminal justice professional writing was good. 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:14.000 And those were the ones that helped me the most. 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:17.000 Because I write daily in my-- in my profession. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:19.000 Everyday, I'm writing something. 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:24.000 Thank you. Hustin, not everything that students learn here comes from a class. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:27.000 Was there anything you learned from your time here that has helped you in your career? 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:31.000 Yeah, I would say the connections that Western Oregon has to, 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:37.000 um, internships and practicums was really influential in my ability 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:39.000 to move forward in forensics. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:44.000 I did my-- mine with, my internship with the Salem police department's crime lab. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:47.000 And, having that experience really set me apart 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:50.000 when I was actually applying for full-time jobs later on. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:54.000 Um, I think without it I wouldn't have made the cut. 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:56.000 That's great. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.000 And I like your connection to the practicum there, 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:60.000 which is such a unique part of this program. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:02.000 Um, Cody, I'd like to come to you for that same question. 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:05.000 Maybe-- maybe your practicum or maybe something else? 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:07.000 What-- what added besides classes? 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:10.000 Yeah, I think for me it was definitely the practicum as well. 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:12.000 Uh, I actually did mine at the Washington County Sheriff's Office. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:19.000 Um, and it was an incredible experience to just kind of rotate through all the different, 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:21.000 um, units they have. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:25.000 Uh, and then I actually ended up leveraging my practicum experience 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:27.000 into a position with them that was part-time. 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:29.000 So, when I was a senior here, my last year, 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:33.000 I was still working part-time with the Washington County Sheriff's Office. 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:37.000 And that was just an incredible experience to have connections 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:40.000 with people in the industry and then also you know, 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:45.000 have those references when applying for full-time positions, um, after graduation. 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:49.000 Thank you. Aaron, I would like to come to you for the next one. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:51.000 What other positions in your agency can somebody 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:54.000 with a criminal justice degree qualify for? 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:56.000 In our agency? 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:60.000 Um, well we work for the department of Community Justice in Yamhill County. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:08.000 So, there's parole, probation, adult, juvenile probation, um, the juvenile detention. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:15.000 And, typically, um, you know, spending time there. 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:20.000 Whether it's through starting as an intern or working as on-call or part-time staff, 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:23.000 any kind of capacity usually kind of gets you your foot in the door. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:28.000 And like she said, like networking. Kind of get your name out there. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:32.000 You meet people. You can use those as resources down the road. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:41.000 And so, with our agency, it's-- it's a great way to get known and build that experience early on. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:44.000 Thank you. Ben, how would you answer that? 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.000 What was the question again? 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:47.000 That's fair. I set you up there. 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:52.000 What other areas in your agency can a person with a degree in criminal justice qualify for? 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:54.000 Yeah, you can be an employment specialist. 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:56.000 It's really hard, actually, to find employment 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:58.000 as someone who is coming out of the prison system. 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:60.000 I'm sure you can all understand that. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:05.000 And if you have a degree, you can help people navigate that system 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:07.000 and find jobs that would be a good fit for them. 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:11.000 You can be a case manager like I am. You can work in our security department. 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:15.000 Um, even though, you know, we're a halfway house and the people there are either, 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:18.000 you know, not in custody or transitioning out of custody. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:23.000 We still have to have some sort of security on staff. You can do a lot. 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:27.000 You can honestly do a lot. That's definitely one thing that I didn't know coming into, 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:30.000 you know, uh, the criminal justice program. 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:34.000 My dad was a Deputy with Clark County up in Washington 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:38.000 and I kind of just defaulted to, you know, I want to help people. 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:41.000 I want to be involved in criminal justice. And, so, I'm gonna be a cop. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:43.000 You know, just like my dad was. And, not that that's a bad thing, 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:47.000 but I just don't think a lot of people coming into it understand 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.000 just how much you can do with the degree. 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:52.000 Like, I would say, in my classes was probably like, 80, 90 percent of people 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:54.000 were there just for the police force. 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:58.000 Maybe 10 to 20 percent were there for, you know, corrections 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:60.000 or social work or whatever. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:05.000 And, so, just-- just keep an open mind. You can do a lot with, uh, with a degree. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:08.000 Like I work in mental health. You can work in employment, corrections. 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:09.000 You can work with a lot of stuff with it. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:11.000 Yeah, that's great. Thank you. 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:14.000 I think people are surprised at how much you can do with a criminal justice degree 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:17.000 and how much is offered in the program. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:20.000 I had a student in my class who I took into prison, because that's what I do. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:24.000 And, he met a gentleman in the Oregon State Penitentiary, 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:26.000 the maximum security prison, whose sentence was commuted. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:31.000 And, part of-- part of that was him having to go to the re-entry center, 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:34.000 and that student ended up working in the re-entry center. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:37.000 So, he had first met this gentleman when he was inside OSP, 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:41.000 and then ended up-- as a student, and then ended up helping him in the re-entry center 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:45.000 before he returned to the community. So, it covers a wide gamut. 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:47.000 Kevin, I'd like to come to you. 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:50.000 What do you find most exciting or fulfilling about your job 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:54.000 besides just saying that it's cool that you work for the FBI? 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:58.000 Well, it's just really cool to work for the FB-- no. 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:61.000 Um, I really like the variety. 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:03.000 Where I'm at in Salem, we cover five counties surrounding us. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:07.000 Um, we have a very wide area of responsibility to cover. 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:10.000 And, within that, we're-- we're different than the Portland office 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:15.000 where analysts and agents in Portland work one offense at a time. 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:18.000 And, they focus their career around that one offense. 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:20.000 So, it could be counterterrorism, domestic terrorism, 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:22.000 counter intelligence. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:23.000 Pick something, right? 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:25.000 But in Salem, we have to cover all of it. 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:29.000 So, we cover all the offenses for five counties which is a-- 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:31.000 it's a lot of crime as you can imagine. 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:34.000 The thing I really enjoy about it is the variety, and everyday, 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:36.000 it's something different. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:40.000 I-- I've written so many reports and no two are the same. They're always different. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:43.000 The cases are always different. 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:46.000 Even if-- even though the charges or the offenses might be similar, 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:49.000 the specifics of the cases are always changing. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:52.000 And, I just really enjoy the variety. 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:54.000 I also like the opportunity to get out into the field 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:58.000 with our evidence response team, and go to crime scenes, and go to good trainings. 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:64.000 So, I just like, I really enjoy the variety and I don't think it's ever going to get old. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:08.000 Well, Matt, I'd like to come to you for that as well, 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:10.000 and I'm afraid you're going to give the exact same answer. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:15.000 Uh, yeah. Pretty similar. My day is different every day. 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:19.000 Um, it's never mundane. So, I work inside a Federal prison. 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:24.000 There's one Federal prison in the state of Oregon. And, my day looks different everyday. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:28.000 I don;t know what I'm going to be doing from when I walk in to the time I leave. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:33.000 Um, whether it's responding to emergencies, you know. 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:39.000 Transporting adults who are in custody, or working in a housing unit with inmates. 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:45.000 Um, whether it's finding drugs or weapons or any of those kinds of things inside of prison. 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:49.000 My day is always different. And, yeah. 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:53.000 Okay, thank you. Hustin, I'd like to come to you, 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:56.000 but before I do, will you raise your hands if you watch CSI 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:58.000 and that's why you're interested in criminal justice. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:62.000 Oh, I don't believe that there are only two hands. 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:06.000 We get students a lot-- thank you. Thank you for owning up to that. 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:10.000 We get students a lot who have watched shows like CSI and are very excited about forensics, 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:12.000 as you should be. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:14.000 It's-- I mean, talk about cool. It's super cool. 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:18.000 So, Hustin, you have what is kind of the dream job. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:21.000 Second, of course, to Kevin, because, you know. 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:26.000 What would you advise for a student wanting to follow your career path? 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:29.000 Don't watch CSI. 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:32.000 It is nothing like that. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:38.000 I mean, obviously, you know, wrapping up a case in an hour is not realistic. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:42.000 And all of the little extra things they put in there of all the equipment and stuff, 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.000 some of it exists. 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:45.000 Some of it is not out there at all. 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:51.000 Um, we don't wear high heels to crime scenes. That's not realistic. 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:54.000 It's just like, if you have a problem with, you know, 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:58.000 having dirt all over your face or people seeing you without makeup, this is not for you. 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:62.000 So, I mean, there's a lot of avenues within forensics that you can take. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:05.000 Processing crime scenes is not glamorous. 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:08.000 If you don't want to be out in the rain in Oregon, don't do it. 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:10.000 Um, [laughing] 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:12.000 I could go on and on and on. 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:18.000 So, I'm not really selling it, but I just want you to have a realistic idea of what it's like. 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:22.000 Well, it was quite the sales pitch. Thanks. 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:24.000 Thanks, Hustin. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.000 We're always hiring. 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:30.000 Uh, Cody, let's see where you go with this. 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:33.000 Uh, what advice would you give a student wanting to follow your career path? 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:36.000 Man, that's a great question. 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:41.000 Um, I think like, one of the biggest things that helped me was just be curious. 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:45.000 Take courses that, um, you're not super sold on. 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:50.000 Maybe do take courses that you don't even really know what might be going on 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:54.000 or what will happen in the-- in the, um, time in that course. 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:57.000 But, I think just being curious, getting outside of your comfort zone. 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:61.000 I think everyone up here can kind of say, like, going through a hiring process, 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:03.000 going through their initial training. 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:07.000 Like, one of the-- the thing is like, you will be uncomfortable. 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:13.000 You will have to be curious to succeed and I think that just a really big kind of, 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:18.000 um, way you should approach courses and and, just be curious. 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:20.000 That's great. Thank you. 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:24.000 Kevin, What would you advise folks who want to follow your career path? 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:33.000 Um, I would just say, be willing to apply. Just be willing to put your name out there and-- and try. 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:36.000 Because, I literally sat in the library here on campus, 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:40.000 and when I was applying for an internship through my practicum in the CJ program. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:44.000 And, I had-- I knew nobody in the FBI. Not a single person. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:47.000 I had never met any-- I didn't even know if they were real. 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:50.000 That how-- I was like, eh, and I'm on the-- 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:52.000 I'm on the library computer and I'm getting kind of paranoid, 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:54.000 like are they watchin-- same thing, right? 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:58.000 I was bold enough, wise enough, smart enough, dumb enough-- whatever. 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:61.000 Whatever you wanna say, to just apply. 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:04.000 Never in a million years did I think I would get an email back. 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:07.000 And, they would say, yeah we would like to meet. 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:09.000 And it just, it wasn't-- I didn't expect it. 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:12.000 But, again, I was-- I was just willing to do it. 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:16.000 So, I would say be-- be willing to hear the word 'no', 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:18.000 because you might actually hear the word 'yes'. 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:20.000 So, keep that in mind. 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:21.000 I like that. Thank you, Kevin. 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:23.000 Aaron, how about you? 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:32.000 Uh, yeah, I, that was great. I think having the confidence in yourself to take a chance. 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:37.000 There is lots of opportunities out there in so many different agencies, 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:40.000 job duties, there's, and there's need of it. 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:43.000 And they're in need of good, good, good people and staff. 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:48.000 And so I think that the simplest thing is just to get as much from your time at school, 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:49.000 or at Western, as possible. 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:59.000 Um, be curious and, and, and, and don't stop until you are satisfied with where you're at. 00:26:59.000 --> 00:26:63.000 I like that too. It's a good panel, right? 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:05.000 Good! 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:09.000 Ben, what advice would you have for students wanting to follow your career path? 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:12.000 Yeah, definitely echo everything everyone else has said. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:15.000 I also think I have a unique perspective on, 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:18.000 like, making connections and doing the practicum 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:20.000 for example because I wasn't able to do one, 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:22.000 um, because of when I graduated, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:24.000 it was right in the middle of the pandemic. 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:27.000 So, I was trying to do one I think it was at the Polk County's DA's office, 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:29.000 and it kind of fell through. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:32.000 And then they waived the requirement for the practicum altogether. 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:37.000 And now that I'm working in this job and I've kind of started my career, 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:40.000 I just, you know, I'm not regretful because it's not my fault, 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:45.000 but I just really wish I could have gotten that head starter earlier than I did. 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:49.000 Um, so because I wasn't about to make those connections, once I graduated, 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:55.000 I kind of spent a year working odd jobs and like looking for this kind of opportunity. 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:59.000 And so my biggest piece of advice would just be to don't wait. 00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:61.000 Because like, especially those people coming out of high school, 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:05.000 you've probably been hearing from your counselors don't, don't take a gap year. 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:09.000 Like, just go right into college. And I think that's also good advice. 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:13.000 And it also applies to this. Like once you graduate and you have opportunities, 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:14.000 don't pass them up. 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:17.000 You have to jump at them. 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:21.000 Thank you. Uh, Matt, I assume, of course, you grew up wanting to be a corrections officer 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:24.000 and dreamt of that as a child. 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:27.000 No! So what's funny, contrary to popular belief, nobody grows up and is like, 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.000 That doesn't happen. 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:32.000 Like many, I came into Western like, oh, I'm going to be a cop. 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:35.000 And I discovered that route. 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:39.000 And went-- flew down to LA and got a job offer to be a cop in LA. 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:40.000 And I went [sharp inhale], 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:47.000 So I decided to come back up here. I had also, you know, 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:50.000 met a pretty cool girl at the time and didn't want to leave her, 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:52.000 who is now my wife. 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:56.000 So that was a big part of it. And I actually started my career working with youth, 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:58.000 uh, doing youth corrections. 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:60.000 And what I found through that was that, 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:03.000 well I kind of wanted to graduate up to working with adults. 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:05.000 Working with adults is completely different than working with children. 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:08.000 Um, they're way easier working with adults. 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:16.000 And one thing that I discovered was, like, I always thought like, 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:18.000 oh, I don't want to work in a prison or jail. 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:20.000 Like, nah, I don't want to do that when I was younger like a freshman. 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:26.000 And what I ended up discovering is that it's completely the opposite for me at least. 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:33.000 I actually decided to try, um, getting internship with a, inside a detention center, and I loved it. 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:35.000 And I would say, yeah, be curious. 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:37.000 Explore. 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:41.000 Especially those professions you think you may not want to do, give them a try. 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:44.000 You may find out you absolutely love them, 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:47.000 and you, um, may find that it may be your passion. 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:50.000 Thank you. 00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:54.000 I want to pause for just a moment and see if there are any questions from any, anyone else. 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:57.000 I mean, I can keep going, but if you [laughs]... 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:62.000 The question is, coming from a DACA background, that's why I'm asking, 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:05.000 is there any other requirements that you have 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:08.000 that you know that you should point out for us to know? 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:12.000 Especially like, for FBI, other than bachelors, 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:17.000 what we should consider for looking for a position within your agency? 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:20.000 Contrary to popular belief, too, it's not a requirement to have a bachelors degree 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:22.000 to get into the FBI. 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:24.000 It is a requirement for certain positions, 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:26.000 like if you want to go become a special agent and do that, 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:29.000 it is a requirement. 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:32.000 There are a lot of other jobs within the Bureau that, 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:35.000 um, just require a high school degree. 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:40.000 However, with that being said, there's a lot of competition out there. 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:47.000 So betting that you're going to have as much experience without a college degree, 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:49.000 um, it-- it's going to be 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:49.000 difficult. 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:51.000 It's been a long time since I've looked at the requirements, 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:55.000 um, as far as what the Bureau has. 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:57.000 Last time I looked at them was 13 years ago. 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:61.000 But, uh, I do know that, I did hear when I checked in this morning, 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:05.000 that we have our recruiter here at the fair later on today. 00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:07.000 And that would be a great question for her because honestly 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:10.000 I can't really speak on it because I'm not really informed enough. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:15.000 It is interesting that with some of the agencies in criminal justice, 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:17.000 you don't actually have to have a bachelor's degree. 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:20.000 However, we have a professional advisory board for our division 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:23.000 to make sure we're including the right things in our degrees. 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:27.000 And what they say repeatedly is they want people who are critical thinkers, 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:30.000 which you learn by getting a bachelor's degree, 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:31.000 and who are good writers. 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:37.000 So if you, that's why, another reason we keep pushing the writing classes because, 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:41.000 again, everything can be, everything needs to hold up in court. 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:46.000 Would any of you like to add to what, how Kevin answered that question. 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:48.000 Yeah, I'll-- I'll take a go. 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:53.000 If you're interested in working in like, with what I'm doing specifically in mental health, 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:58.000 part of my job requirement is getting the QMHA certification, 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:61.000 which stands for Qualified Mental Health Associate, 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:06.000 you can do even smaller things like becoming a notary. 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:07.000 Part of my job is I have to notarize a lot of things. 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:11.000 And so just yeah, small things like that 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:13.000 to supplement your degree will go a long, long way. 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:20.000 Even just doing small little job trainings, um, like at the Multnomah County sheriff's office, 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:23.000 they do these deescalation trainings. 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:26.000 And you can reach out to them and ask to kind of sit in on their class 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:27.000 that's usually what they do for their new hires. 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:30.000 But they're always willing to work with you guys. 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:32.000 You just have to reach out. 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:35.000 Yeah, the QMHA thing is huge, and just smaller things like, 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:37.000 like social work stuff like notaries and stuff. 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:39.000 Thank you. 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:41.000 Does anyone else in the audience have a question? 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:44.000 Let's get the microphone over to you. 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:45.000 We'll start here and, oh, no, the microphone is closer to there. 00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:47.000 We're going to start there and then come to you. 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:50.000 This is more of a question for Aaron. 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:53.000 What-- what can you expect to see on a day-to-day basis 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:57.000 whether you're, like, when you clock in and clock out. 00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:59.000 So working in a detention facility, 00:32:59.000 --> 00:32:64.000 typically it's probably similar to other law enforcement positions where it's, 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:06.000 could be different day-to-day, 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:10.000 but typically, there's, uh, there's exercise for the youth. 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:14.000 There's school, there's group activities, uh, CBT related-- 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:16.000 cognitive behavioral therapy groups, activities, 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:22.000 lots of cards, games, um, and those are all the good things. 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:28.000 And on a day where someone's having a bad day, there's a crisis intervention. 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:33.000 There's safety protocols, keep everybody safe. 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:39.000 And so, um, it's different every day, but typically you can rely on-- 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:44.000 you can count on it being interesting. So it's, it can be fun. 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:46.000 Thank you. 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:49.000 So for those of you who have been through like the police academy 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:51.000 and the FBI academy, what is one thing you like, 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:54.000 one thing you don't like, and one thing you would warn people about? 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:60.000 So I, I, I went through the state police academy. 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:02.000 So, uh, one thing I liked is that like, 00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:07.000 the physical exercise was built into your schedule. 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:11.000 So it was nice to like, just, or I guess rather not just physical exercise, 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:14.000 but everything is just kind of like laid out, scheduled out. 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:16.000 Super fun. 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:19.000 It made it really, like, good team building, 00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:21.000 like a lot of good team building stuff. 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:24.000 One thing I didn't like was our really early wakeup days. 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:28.000 I'm not a big, like, I can wake up early, but I work swing shift, 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:30.000 so I'd rather just sleep in. 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:37.000 Um, it's not like the movies and the shows and the TV where you like, 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:39.000 it's just so much different. 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:42.000 And, and especially in the case of like the Oregon State, 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:45.000 or not Oregon State Police Academy, but Oregon's, the DPSST academy. 00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:51.000 The way it's set up is it's much more of a kind of college like atmosphere 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:53.000 instead of it being very paramilitary. 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:58.000 And so that kind of also is what I liked. But it just, just have an open mind. 00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:63.000 Just know it's not like the TV, it's not like the movies. It's much different. 00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:09.000 Do any of you have a job that's like it's portrayed on TV, in the movies? [Laughter.] 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:12.000 Kind of? 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:16.000 Kind of? Yeah, kind of. Like when you see in the news, people running around, 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:18.000 like, you know, going through a manic episode, and they're running around naked, 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:20.000 like, I've definitely had that happen a couple times. 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:27.000 So, yeah, my job's kind of similar to what you see on TV sometimes. 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:32.000 I'd like to wrap this up. We've got just like 6 minutes left. 00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:34.000 A minute per person, look at that! 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:37.000 I took Dr. Sakiyama's math class, so I can do that. 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:43.000 What is something that you think students in the audience need to know 00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:46.000 or that you want them to take out of this panel today? 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:49.000 We, do you just want to go down the line? 00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:51.000 Oh, that puts you on first. 00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:52.000 That's alright, that's alright. 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:55.000 One thing that I think can be kind of like, intimidating, 00:35:55.000 --> 00:35:58.000 and it certainly was for me, is like, just asking questions. 00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:64.000 If you have an opportunity to be here, um, just ask questions. 00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:06.000 Like I said, mentioned earlier, be curious. 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:11.000 Just get an idea of either what you want to get into or what you are getting into. 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:16.000 I think that's something I took to heart when I was here, 00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:20.000 and it really helped me kind of guide me into my profession. 00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:25.000 I would say that the thing you need to know is how much the faculty here 00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:30.000 in the CJ program cares and is passionate about criminal justice as a whole. 00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:34.000 I actually came in as a Exercise Science major and took like, 00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:38.000 one criminal justice class because, you know like I mentioned before, 00:36:38.000 --> 00:36:40.000 like my dad and whatever, 00:36:40.000 --> 00:36:43.000 and I had David Murphy as my professor. 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:48.000 And within the first three weeks of the class, I changed my major to criminal justice. 00:36:48.000 --> 00:36:52.000 And so, yeah, it's a really special place in general to go here. 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:56.000 And being a part of the criminal justice program in particular, you know, 00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:62.000 you work with a lot of really good people and, and yeah, it's definitely a special program. 00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:11.000 I think a takeaway would be to take seriously the opportunities to network 00:37:11.000 --> 00:37:15.000 and get to know people that you could potentially be working with. 00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:19.000 One of your, you know, the person you're sitting next to in class could be your boss one day. 00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:23.000 And it might be nice to have that connection when you're on an interview panel, 00:37:23.000 --> 00:37:30.000 um, and then also, just taking seriously the ability to be monitored by the staff here. 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:37.000 I know after I got hired, Dr. Witzel was one of the first people that I was so excited to tell. 00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:40.000 I was like, "I did it, I got in!" 00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:43.000 So, just definitely network. 00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:48.000 Definitely explore all your options and get involved. 00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:52.000 If there's any kind of volunteer things that you guys can go do while in school, 00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:54.000 whether it's on your weekend, get involved and do it. 00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:57.000 That's definitely something that would help you understand maybe what profession 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:59.000 you might want to go into. 00:37:59.000 --> 00:37:62.000 One thing that I've learned just through being in a criminal justice job 00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:09.000 is learn to accept failure sometimes because there are days where things fail, 00:38:09.000 --> 00:38:11.000 and they don't go as planned. 00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:16.000 And that is something that I have taken, um, for myself. 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:18.000 Like you have this perfect day, you have it all planned out, 00:38:18.000 --> 00:38:23.000 you have your schedule, and then, you know, something happens inside the prison, 00:38:23.000 --> 00:38:25.000 and your whole day blows up, right? 00:38:25.000 --> 00:38:30.000 So that's something that I have learned working professionally 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:33.000 to have to just roll with the punches with. 00:38:33.000 --> 00:38:38.000 And that when you get hit down, get up and keep trying. Don't give up. 00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:40.000 That's another thing. That's a big thing. 00:38:40.000 --> 00:38:45.000 Um, I think a couple things. I can't stress enough exactly what we've talked about today. 00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:48.000 Writing is so important. 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:53.000 Networking, being willing to apply for jobs even if you're not sure if you're even qualified to do it. 00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:58.000 Just put yourself out there more, um, I think will be beneficial. 00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:63.000 A couple things also to note that when I came here, I was from Portland public schools, 00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:07.000 and had never had a mentor, had never had a counselor even. 00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:11.000 And as I was making my way through Western, 00:39:11.000 --> 00:39:13.000 I noticed that especially with the CJ program, 00:39:13.000 --> 00:39:16.000 the faculty actually cared about my success. 00:39:16.000 --> 00:39:20.000 I'll say it again: the faculty actually cared about my success. 00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:23.000 And as I was going through my internship application with the bureau, 00:39:23.000 --> 00:39:28.000 I had faculty members that I would go to beforehand, like, 00:39:30.000 --> 00:39:32.000 Dr. Murphy also was, 00:39:35.000 --> 00:39:37.000 This is what our plan is. This is what we're going to do." 00:39:37.000 --> 00:39:40.000 I went up to Portland, did my polygraph, did my interviews, 00:39:40.000 --> 00:39:43.000 came back directly to his office afterwards. 00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:46.000 And just having that network there, 00:39:46.000 --> 00:39:53.000 and, and I wholeheartedly believe if it wasn't for Western and the internship opportunities 00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:56.000 and the faculty, I wouldn't have, I wouldn't have even applied. 00:39:56.000 --> 00:39:58.000 There's no way I would have even applied. 00:39:58.000 --> 00:39:60.000 But I did, and it certainly worked out. 00:40:00.000 --> 00:40:06.000 I think a little bit more simpler is if you're coming to school to get an education, 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:12.000 don't, I would encourage you to not squander that opportunity. 00:40:12.000 --> 00:40:20.000 Show up to class, um, and, uh, that's a big one. Go to class and ask questions. 00:40:20.000 --> 00:40:26.000 Be engaged and, and, and meet with these professors. Ask further questions. 00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:31.000 Show interest. And yeah, I think just showing up to class and giving all-- 00:40:32.000 --> 00:40:34.000 giving it your all is a good place to start. 00:40:34.000 --> 00:40:36.000 Perfect. Thank you so much everybody. 00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:38.000 Would you join me in thanking our panel today?