This spring, Middlesex Community College hosted the Public Service Career Exploration event to allow students in the criminal and social justice program to network with professionals.
This spring, Middlesex Community College hosted the Public Service Career Exploration event to allow students in the criminal and social justice program to network with professionals. The event highlighted a variety of career paths for students, featuring presentations, demonstrations, and site visits to local, county, state and nonprofit organizations.
“The students were highly engaged on both days,” said Kenneth Lavallee, MCC’s Professor of Criminal & Social Justice. “They mentioned that studying the criminal justice system is vital to their career goals but experiencing it on a personal basis was exceptionally good. We are grateful to the community partners for inviting us to their facilities, answering students’ questions, and showing them the reality of working in the industry.”
Over two days, students visited the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction in Billerica, the Lowell Justice Center, the Lowell Police Department and Lowell Police Training Center, and UTEC. At the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction on the first day, students toured the facility and heard from Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian about corrections and inmate rehabilitation.
“We deeply value our relationship with Middlesex Community College and were proud to welcome students to visit,” said Kara Reeves, Chief of Treatment and Reentry Services. “Providing students and interns the opportunity to see our operations and speak with our staff members is critically important as they consider potential career paths within the criminal justice field.”
For Ana Moreira, an MCC student, of Woburn, the event was an opportunity to see firsthand how the industry runs and provided early exposure to the field. Moreira’s favorite part was visiting the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction and speaking to the employees about their experiences working in the industry.
“I loved every part of [the experience],” Moreira said. “We really got an idea of how each place works and how we would envision ourselves in that scenario. One major thing I learned about the whole experience is how interconnected everything is. I sort of understood they were all connected, but seeing everything with my own eyes was a whole different experience.”
On the first day, students also visited the Lowell Justice Center where they went into a courtroom to observe several criminal proceedings. While visiting with Judge Cara Krysil, they learned about a judge’s duties and responsibilities, students also heard from Middlesex County District Attorney (DA) Marian Ryan about prosecutorial tasks in the DA’s office.
“Judge [John F.] Coffey, the First Justice of the Lowell District Court, invites all students to visit the Lowell District Court which we call the community court,” said Janice Carroll, First Assistant Clerk Magistrate. “Visiting the court allows the students to see firsthand what goes on a daily basis and allows the students to meet directly with the judges. The judges enjoy meeting all the students that have visited the court.”
Students began the second day by entering the Lowell Police Station’s Emergency Operations Center to meet with Chief Greg Hudon. Speaking on the Lowell Police Department’s (LPD) responsibilities, Chief Hudon also presented a crime analysis component.
In the afternoon on the second day, students met with Chief Executive Officer Gregg Croteau at UTEC. Before offering a tour of the facility, Croteau spoke on the nonprofit’s mission to ignite and nurture the ambition of the most disconnected young people to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success.
Also on the second day, students also had an opportunity to tour the 911 Communications Center, detective division, and the cell block. They went on to visit the training center and participating in virtual reality training that brings real, dangerous policing scenarios to life. The visit was organized by LPD Captain Marisol Nobrega who is also an MCC alumna and adjunct professor.
“I have seen firsthand how exposure to career pathways can change the trajectory of a student’s life, including mine,” Nobrega said. “MCC opens doors, and I’m proud to help students walk through them. My journey began at MCC, and the education and support I received there helped shape my career in law enforcement and public service. Partnering with MCC on career exploration is especially meaningful because it allows me to give back to the institution that helped me discover my own path.”
