Spring Break
'One-stop shopping' for cop candidates
Lee Morey
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
More than 1,000 students and 100 booths - including federal, state and local law enforcement-related agencies - filled the Western Illinois University Union Grand Ballroom Tuesday for the annual Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Career Fair.
"This is really one-stop shopping," said Martin Kral, Associate Director of Career Services. "We have everything from local police and fire fighters to national agencies, private and corporate security firms here today. The students can see as many agencies as possible in one area."
An attendant to 14 career fairs, Kral said he was optimistic about the prospects for LEJA majors.
"Many of our May 2008 graduates are here today, and it stands a good chance if they are applying now, they might find work before they even walk to the podium to accept their degrees," he said.
Some of the more popular booths included the Office of Executive Inspector General.
"Our goal is to discover fraudulent conduct by the state government," said Tiffany Wallace, representative for the office. "Any complaint about a department or employee will be directed to either our Chicago or Springfield offices."
There was also the Office of Homeland Security Customs Border Protection booth, manned by Bob Piaseck.
"Any person entering the United States at any point will have passed through the CBP," Piaseck said. "We have filled positions recruiting at Western before … and we are looking for a uniform law enforcement degree. All applicants will be put through a recruitment process as well, including a physical, before they will be eligible."
Also at the fair, standing in front of an oversized, imposing image of a man in fatigues emerging from a bush, were "John" and "Jeff" of the company Photofax from Gilberts, Ill.
"Photofax works with insurance companies to investigate and photograph fraud," John said. "We're here today to recruit interns, and we are constantly hiring full time."
Mary Anne Schwartz of the 9th Judicial District extolled the virtues of the career fair.
"It really is a growing field," she said. "Since I became a Probation Officer in 1984, the number of officers has more than doubled. This isn't the only field in which this has happened, either.
"While the work can sometimes be depressing, it is rewarding to see someone come back after becoming successful and say, 'Thank you, you've really changed my life,'" she added.
With many different prospects to look at, students took full advantage of the opportunity, keying in on organizations that caught their attention.
"What interested me the most were the Bartlett and Naperville police recruiters," said Brittney Vore, senior LEJA major. "I have already tested but I want to keep my options open, and there is a lot of information here. I have always wanted to be a detective and plan on working my way up."
"This is really one-stop shopping," said Martin Kral, Associate Director of Career Services. "We have everything from local police and fire fighters to national agencies, private and corporate security firms here today. The students can see as many agencies as possible in one area."
An attendant to 14 career fairs, Kral said he was optimistic about the prospects for LEJA majors.
"Many of our May 2008 graduates are here today, and it stands a good chance if they are applying now, they might find work before they even walk to the podium to accept their degrees," he said.
Some of the more popular booths included the Office of Executive Inspector General.
"Our goal is to discover fraudulent conduct by the state government," said Tiffany Wallace, representative for the office. "Any complaint about a department or employee will be directed to either our Chicago or Springfield offices."
There was also the Office of Homeland Security Customs Border Protection booth, manned by Bob Piaseck.
"Any person entering the United States at any point will have passed through the CBP," Piaseck said. "We have filled positions recruiting at Western before … and we are looking for a uniform law enforcement degree. All applicants will be put through a recruitment process as well, including a physical, before they will be eligible."
Also at the fair, standing in front of an oversized, imposing image of a man in fatigues emerging from a bush, were "John" and "Jeff" of the company Photofax from Gilberts, Ill.
"Photofax works with insurance companies to investigate and photograph fraud," John said. "We're here today to recruit interns, and we are constantly hiring full time."
Mary Anne Schwartz of the 9th Judicial District extolled the virtues of the career fair.
"It really is a growing field," she said. "Since I became a Probation Officer in 1984, the number of officers has more than doubled. This isn't the only field in which this has happened, either.
"While the work can sometimes be depressing, it is rewarding to see someone come back after becoming successful and say, 'Thank you, you've really changed my life,'" she added.
With many different prospects to look at, students took full advantage of the opportunity, keying in on organizations that caught their attention.
"What interested me the most were the Bartlett and Naperville police recruiters," said Brittney Vore, senior LEJA major. "I have already tested but I want to keep my options open, and there is a lot of information here. I have always wanted to be a detective and plan on working my way up."
Be the first to comment on this story