BLINN ALUMNUS OFFERS CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENTS CAREER ADVICE

  

Approximately 20 Blinn College criminal justice students were in for a treat when they walked into their classroom Monday morning.

Long Le, recruiting coordinator for the College Station Police Department (CSPD), paid a special visit to his alma mater to provide insight and advice for students seeking a career in law enforcement. Speaking in front of Janet McNutt, the very professor who taught him while enrolled in Blinn’s Criminal Justice Program, Le reflected on his time at the College and presented recommendations for getting a start in the field.

“I took the same criminal justice classes and had many of the same professors as these students,” Le said. “These instructors persuaded me to take an internship with CSPD during the final semester of the program, and I am glad they did. There, I experienced my first sense of the true brotherhood and sisterhood of law enforcement, and I was convinced this was the career for me.”

With traditional classroom or online tracks available, Blinn offers Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science, and Law Enforcement Technology degrees in criminal justice, as well as a Criminal Justice Corrections certificate. Students who complete the program are eligible for a variety of local, state, and federal careers, including law enforcement, investigation, corrections operation, corrections counseling, a variety of court positions, government administration, and probation. Similar careers also are available through private companies.

Upon graduation from Blinn, Le put his education to work as a CSPD police officer, serving on a number of specialized units over the course of eight years, including Tourism and Entertainment (bicycle), Traffic (motorcycle), and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).

“There are many different options for those seeking a career in law enforcement,” Le said. “Most people are not patrol officers for their entire career, but through that entry point they discover their niche. You have to find out what is important to you.”

Following the presentation, McNutt challenged her students to complete a police officer application using the tips Le offered during his visit.

“Criminal justice instructors have invited guests in the field to speak to our classes for many years, but we have just started designing assignments to accompany the visitors’ presentations,” McNutt said. “The students are now able to see beyond the lecture and apply what they have learned to real-world situations.”

Le was promoted last year to recruiting coordinator for the CSPD, where he is in charge of bringing new officers into the department. The new position, he said, allows him to actively participate in the community – which includes frequent visits to Blinn’s criminal justice classes – in an effort to attract professional, capable employees.

“Being of good moral character is the most important requirement coming into this field,” he said. “The majority of police officers do their best for their community. It is a very noble and honorable position.”

For more information on Blinn’s Criminal Justice Program, visit www.blinn.edu/twe/crimjustice.

Story courtesy of Blinn Communications