When Madison Guinn first enrolled at the 杏吧专区 in 2013, she wasn杏吧专区檛 sure what direction to take. She started in psychology, but her passion was elsewhere.
杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檝e always wanted to go into criminal justice,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淢y family didn杏吧专区檛 really want me to do that at first, but I couldn杏吧专区檛 see myself doing anything else.杏吧专区
Guinn joined UL Lafayette's to satisfy her curiosity. After the group's field visit to Angola State Penitentiary, she was confident her future was in criminal justice.
杏吧专区淢y mom told my dad, 杏吧专区楽he's going to come back and she's going to change her major to what she wants.' Lo and behold, I came back from that trip and said, 杏吧专区業 don't care. I want to be in criminal justice.杏吧专区櫺影勺ㄇ鴿
The field visit was the turning point that inspired Guinn to pursue the degree program she杏吧专区檇 always felt drawn to 杏吧专区 UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 B.S. in Criminal Justice.
Gaining Real-World Experience
When Guinn was a junior, she found herself planning for more than her own future as she became a mom. Criminal justice instructors worked with Guinn to maintain her momentum toward her degree.
杏吧专区淚 took a semester off, which ended up turning into a year,杏吧专区 she recalls. 杏吧专区淲hen I came back, I came back swinging. I did summer classes at night so I could finish at a decent time, and the instructors were very supportive. I was in labor around finals and they helped me figure it all out.杏吧专区
Guinn杏吧专区檚 advisor helped her become the first intern with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff杏吧专区檚 Office, a move that launched her career.
杏吧专区淭he internship was wonderful,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淭hey didn杏吧专区檛 have a formal internship program at the time, so I got thrown into every side of it杏吧专区 patrol, crime scene, corrections. It helped me realize that this was exactly what I wanted to do.杏吧专区
Guinn was able to leverage her position into a full-time job offer before she even finished the program.
杏吧专区淏efore I earned the degree, I had a start date... If it weren't for the criminal justice program, I don't know if I would杏吧专区檝e been able to get to where I am.杏吧专区
Guinn began her law enforcement career as a corrections officer. From there, she advanced to patrol officer then to school resource officer. She is now a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff杏吧专区檚 Office.
Each step built on the foundation she developed as a student.
杏吧专区淚 learned so much through that program and internship,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚 was always interested in corrections, and I still am. Even now, I still work shifts in the jail on weekends. I love what I do.杏吧专区
A Career That Gives Back
Balancing her demanding career with life as a single mom wasn杏吧专区檛 always easy.
Early in her law enforcement journey, volatile assignments often kept her away from home. She later moved into criminal investigations for more control over her schedule and safety.
杏吧专区淲hen I started my detective role, I was finally able to bring my child to his first day of school,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚t was a big deal for us, and I got to do that working as a detective. I杏吧专区檓 so blessed to have a job that lets me do what I love and still be present for him.杏吧专区
For Guinn, the greatest reward comes from the impact she杏吧专区檚 able to make in her community. Another plus is the fulfillment that comes with doing meaningful work.
杏吧专区淚 don杏吧专区檛 ever want to be in a job that I杏吧专区檓 unhappy in,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚 love going to work. I get to do what I want to do every day.杏吧专区
Opening Doors to Opportunity
Guinn credits her time at UL Lafayette with helping her find her path and gain career experience.
杏吧专区淲ith a criminal justice degree, there杏吧专区檚 so much more than just being a cop,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚t takes a million people to make the system work.杏吧专区
Her advice for future students is simple: follow your passion.
杏吧专区淚f it杏吧专区檚 what you want to do, then do it,杏吧专区 Guinn says. 杏吧专区淥therwise, you杏吧专区檒l regret it later. It杏吧专区檚 such a rewarding job.杏吧专区
Launch your career with our online B.S. in Criminal Justice program.
