Patrick Reinke '07
In my 2nd year on campus I took a job with GV Public Safety. Working with DPS introduced me to the world of policing. I soon after found myself changing my major and starting down a new career path.
Criminal Justice Career Guide
Consider joining the Human and Public Service Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
Past Internship Sites:
- 17th Circuit Court – Kent County
- 20th Circuit Court – Ottawa County
- Children’s Assessment Center
- Department of Human Services – Muskegon County
- Holland Department of Public Safety
- Kent County Juvenile Detention Center
- Kent County Sheriff Department
- Muskegon County Public Defender
- Steelcase
- Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration
Where Alumni Have Landed
- State Trooper – MI State Police
- Medical Only Claims Specialist – CompOne Administrators, Inc
- Parole/Probation Manager – State of Michigan
- Behavioral Specialist – Centria Healthcare
- Command Center Operator – DK Securities
- Service Specialist – Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Corrections Officer – Michigan Department of Corrections
- Child Protective Services – State of Michigan
- Assistant Prosecuting Attorney – Kent County
- Project Manager – M3 Multifamily Media Management
- Campus Supervisor – Jefferson County Public Schools
- Patrol Sergeant – Holland Department of Public Safety
- Truancy Officer – Ottawa/Allegan Counties
- Resident Coordinator – Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program (KPEP)
- Legal Assistant – Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge
- Juvenile Justice Specialist – Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
- Veteran’s Outreach Coordinator – US Department of Veteran’s Affairs
- Criminal Case Records Technician – Ottawa County
- Business Analyst – Meijer
- Crime Scene Technician – Grand Rapids Police Department
Spotlights
Kraig Lee Whitmyer '18
My favorite memory of GVSU is enjoying my first Laker bowl celebration with my Freshmen roommates after our Come Sail Away jam session with T-Haas at the Fieldhouse.
Emily Rienks '21
My favorite Grand Valley memories are being down on the sideline for Laker football games cheering the team on for many Grand Valley Victories. Watching football from anywhere but the sideline will never be the same!
Student Organizations to Consider
- Alpha Psi Sigma – Scholastic honorary society for criminal justice
- Criminal Justice Student Association
- Law Society
- Pals Student Mentors
Study Abroad Programs
The systems of checks and balances that keep societies in order are different around the world and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. By learning about these other systems, you can learn to critically think about justice systems with your fresh perspective by comparing and contrasting them.
Develop some of these technical and professional competencies to be successful:
- Ethical reasoning
- Research
- Detailed and succinct report writing
- Problem-solving
- Analyzing public policies and economic factors
- Intercultural and diversity awareness
- Interviewing and interrogation
- Adaptable
- Collaborative
- Leadership
Considering Graduate Study?
Students with a Criminal Justice degree may continue on to various graduate/professional programs such as:
- Master of Public Administration
- Law School
- Master of Social Work
- Master of Science in Counseling
- Master of Science/Doctoral degree in Forensics
Additional Resources
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Watch videos from professionals in the field
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