Criminal Justice Career Fair at Tri-County
April 5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/31/2006
CONTACT:JONATHAN MCCOMBS, 646-1379
(By Lisa Garrett)
PENDLETON --- Soon-to-be graduates of Tri-County’s Criminal Justice
program will get the opportunity to talk one-on-one with recruiters
from local law enforcement agencies, as well as DeKalb County, GA, and
Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C., police departments, at a career fair set
for April 5.
“Representatives will be recruiting for their departments and will
be looking at Tri-County students,” said Jonathan McCombs, program coordinator
for the College’s Criminal Justice Technology department. “We’re excited
about the list of agencies that will be here. It broadens the scope
of opportunities for the 40 men and women who will complete their degree
requirements in May. The job market for our graduates is really good
and isn’t limited to law enforcement work.”
The Career Fair will be held from 10 a.m. - noon in the Student Center.
The public is invited to attend. Agencies in attendance will be: State
Law Enforcement Division, Belton, Clemson, and Seneca police departments,
Pickens and Oconee County Sheriff’s Departments, Anderson University,
Southern Wesleyan University, Department of Social Services and Defender
Security.
Tri-County grads are prepared for entry-level jobs in security, protective
services, corrections and court administration. The degree doesn’t mean
they will all work in the government sector. They also can work in the
private sector as private investigators, security officers, loss prevention
and other related professions.
McCombs added that since 9-11 security-related jobs are more abundant
due to a more security-conscious society.
The number of agencies requiring an associate degree has grown in the
last five years, said McCombs. “Most studies show that college-educated
police officers are more comfortable with diversity and are better able
to cope with real-world scenarios. They’re also more adept at problem
solving, have good communication skills and have a good ability to convey
information to a wide variety of audiences.” The associate degree also
gives new police officers a leg up in terms of passing the classes at
the Criminal Justice Academy, he added.
“Our students are prepared for the workforce,” he said. “We put a large
emphasis on the law so they are familiar with case law and how the court
systems work because that is typically the most confusing part of the
job, and it is ever changing. Other components of the curriculum are
community policing, criminal investigation, police administration and
criminology.
“The Career Fair will get our students acclimated to the employers
and their process of applying for a job, which can be daunting because
it’s a detailed, lengthy process that encompasses preparing documents,
meetings, interviews and possibly a polygraph test,” explained McCombs.
He added that two of the department’s strengths are its seasoned instructors’
wealth of knowledge and offering the entire Criminal Justice curriculum
online. Both McCombs and Department Head Johnson Link have years of
police work experience. McCombs worked seven years in law enforcement,
including time in investigations and patrol. Johnson Link served 25
years in law enforcement with 17 years as Clemson’s police chief. Corey
White has six years of law enforcement experience and has worked as
an attorney, probation and parole agent and patrolman. He is a member
of the Connecticut State Bar.
“We have a strong team who is able to convey the material via real-world
example, which can be invaluable,” he said.
Offering the entire criminal justice curriculum online has been a lifesaver
for many officers who work 12-hour shifts and battle time constraints
and schedule conflicts that can often hinder completing their degree
through the traditional classroom route.
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Oconee