Advanced Education Leads To Career Fulfillment, Says Dallas Probation Officer
Tamica Bedford works as an assistant supervisor for Dallas County Community Supervision and Corrections Department. In her role as assistant supervisor, she oversees the transfer unit that monitors probationers that live in other counties - for example, if someone is placed on probation in Dallas County, but serves his or her time in another county or state (i.e. Tarrant, Collin or in another state).
"I always wanted to know why a person committed a crime. 'Did they steal because they were hungry and needed the money? Did they steal something in order to sell it so they could buy drugs or alcohol?'" said Bedford who earned a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M University at Commerce.
She worked for the Office of the Attorney General in the child support division. "When you deal with children and money in court there can be a lot of fireworks. I accepted a position with the probation department and jumped into the deep end of the water by working mental health cases which included those that also had a substance abuse problem," said Bedford.
Bedford moved up the ranks and was part of the STAR program which helped prostitutes become gainfully employed and self-sufficient.
"It had always been a goal for me to earn my master's degree," said Bedford who had started a family and waited until her child was older to return to school.
She earned her master's degree in Applied Criminology from Texas A&M University at Commerce. "I was promoted because I had the master's degree. I also wanted to show my child that there is nothing that you can't accomplish and it doesn't matter what happens in life, you can always move forward," said Bedford.
The advice Bedford gives to those considering returning to school to earn their master's degree: 1) you can do it, 2) there is no greater investment than the investment in yourself.
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com
