Patience,Persistence Leads To Success For Philadelphia Criminal Justice Professor
Kristen Acosta is a graduate of Saint Joseph's University and West Chester University. She hold a master's degree in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in the same field. She worked for Chester County from 1998-2001 in the Department of Domestic Relations and then moved to the Juvenile Probation Department where she worked as a juvenile probation officer. Upon receiving her master's degree, she moved to New Morgan Academy to work with adjudicated youth in a lock-down facility, spending a year there as a behavioral health clinician. Acosta began teaching in 2003 and has been with Neumann University since 2005, teaching in the field of Criminal Justice and Psychology.
What sort of education is needed to secure a good job in your field?
"It is becoming necessary for individuals to possess at minimum a bachelor's degree as the system seeks higher levels of professionalism. While many students may first be drawn to the degree in Criminal Justice it is also important to develop skills in areas of English, foreign language, and computers. Employers look for students who have diversified their learning and can bring different assets to the table."
What is the most challenging aspect of being in your field?
"The diverse nature of most professions in the criminal justice field can be a difficult adjustment for recent graduates. Diversity, not only within their department, but working with groups in the community that they may have little experience with can be challenging. The individual will navigate through this process by applying those academic skills from the classroom to these situations for the best professional outcome."
After graduation, how hard was it to transition to the actual working world?
"I think the most difficult transition from college to the working world was the realization that plans may need to be adjusted. While working for the federal government may be their ultimate goal, individuals quickly learn that there are stepping-stones in this field (as in others) that must first be met. However, these stepping-stones are what build those skill sets that are necessary to work in the 21st century criminal justice system."
What advice would you give someone who is pursuing a career in this field?
"My main piece of advice would be to be patient but persistent. In my experience, the individuals who do well in this field display both of these characteristics. Second, I would encourage them to stand out from the crowd. Diversify your learning and skill sets----study English, accounting, foreign language (become fluent if possible), and computers---as these are highly sought after skills for this ever-changing system. Finally, communication skills are essential. Write well, speak well, and practice critical thinking daily as these are essential skills sought by employers."
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.