Major(s): Sociology with an emphasis in Law, Criminology, and Deviance

Minor(s): Leadership

Current Job Title: Police Officer

Organization: Mount Pleasant Police Department; Racine, Wisconsin

Brief description of your job:  Police officers protect life and property, preserve the peace, prevent offences, detect and apprehend offenders and help those in need of assistance.

How have you found these positions? Through law enforcement websites such as www.wilenet.org and in community newspapers.

What skills from your degree do you use in your current work?  Knowledge and understanding of laws (for example search and seizure laws). Ability to write reports from the numerous research papers.  My major prepared me for a lot of what I do everyday as a police officer. 

What advice do you have for current students? My advice would be to not only focus on your grades and schooling, however look into volunteer and internship opportunities.  I worked for police departments in Minnesota as a volunteer and in internship capacities.  That helped me gain the position I have today when also taking into account my bachelors degree.

Hope it helps!