Nov. 5, the Criminal Justice Job Fair was hosted on the first floor of the Axe Library. The event included many different job opportunities ranging from sheriff’s departments to police departments to even Border Patrol. Altogether, there were over a dozen different organizations from the industry featured at the fair.
Director of Career Development Kim Hull, the event organizer, said the fair and criminal justice industry appeals to many different majors.
“This event is the criminal justice fair, so it targets students who are interested in working in the law enforcement industry,” Hull said. “It can encompass criminal justice majors, psychology majors, social work majors, and any student who would like to within that area.”
Crawford County Sheriff’s Department Communication Supervisor, Katrisha Harrison, said recruitment and assisting future law enforcement officers is an important reason for the fair.
“We are trying to recruit younger members to our staff so that we can train them and assist them through the process of becoming law enforcement officers,” Harrison said.
The focus on recruiting was echoed by Sergeant Gage Cranmer of the Salina Police Department.
“We travel all over the state looking to recruit new officers from all parts.” Cranmer said, “We just want to get as many good officers as we can from all over the state.”
Prairie Village Police Department Officer Ayden Kearney, a Pitt State Alumni, said the goal is to promote the department.
“(The goal is to) get our department out to people,” Kearney said. “We’re trying to get our name out there.”
Kearney said joining law enforcement came from talking to family and friends.
“I came to Pitt, and I came undecided,” Kearney said. “I had a few options just talking to people, talking to family and friends. I had family that were former law enforcement, so I chose this.”
Graduate clinical psychology student Tatum Thompson said attending the fair was a coincidence.
“I had to come to the library today to do some studying it was a really nice coincidence that they had all this set up,” Thompson said. “I had a really nice talk with the first cop I talked to. She was encouraging me to do a ride along with some of their behavioral health staff.”
Bradley Easterboy, a junior criminal justice criminology major, said the fair is usually a good time.
“I am part of the criminal justice club right now; I am the vice president,” Easterboy said. “I have talked to a lot of these people before I came last year as well. It’s just usually a really good time. Usually there is a pretty good turnout; obviously, there are a lot of agencies here right now.”
Achai Ajang, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice with a minor in business administration, said they attended to build connections and hear stories.
“I feel like you can build connections and find internships,” Ajang said. “It’s also just nice to meet first responders and get to know their stories.”