Insight intended to get students to think about what we teach what we teach at the University. The need to shift from High School, peer-infected decision making to stand-out-in-a-crowd, competitive workforce is the intended focus.

1. SUCCESS TIPS FOR (MY)
CLASSES
WITH A FEW EXTRA TIPS ON LIFE FOR
GOOD MEASURE

2. I teach criminal justice as if you
were planning to work in that
field.
If you don’t intend to do that
you should be able to apply
what you learn to your chosen
field.

3. Lateness is normal, but not
appropriate or accepted (with few
exceptions)
◦ for class, don’t make it a habit (more than 2 times in 5
weeks) or disrupt the rest of us if you are late from another
class or running from the parking lot. Any lateness after 15
minutes is the same as absence, especially if you overslept.
◦ on assignments, I may say it’s ok to be late, but there
will still be a penalty. That is typically 1 letter grade (10 points)
per day for writing assignments.
◦ for appointments, interviews, or work of any kind, it
depends on the supervisor but it’s generally not a good idea.
Some will fire you instead of scolding you.

4. The why is key
• The assignments in the course are for
you to see how much you know -- they do
relatively little for me.
• Assignments that aren’t clear, have
issues, or take “too long” prepare you for
the workforce. Please point them out to me,
and realize that you may have been the
only one that noticed. That is a good quality
— develop it!

5. This is different - think that
way
• The required time or page length for
assignments should be seen as the minimum
standard. If you want an average grade — that’s
a C — aim for the minimum. If you want lower or
higher, you should adjust accordingly.
• If I mention the amount of time expected or
taken on an assignment and the first thing that
comes to mind is how there’s no way the result
could be worth the investment, you may still
have too much high school in your brain.

6. The importance of GPA
• I CAN'T POSSIBLY CARE ABOUT
YOUR GPA MORE THAN YOU DO.
• THE TIME TO CARE ABOUT YOUR
GPA IS ANY TIME BEFORE THE LAST
ASSIGNMENT IN THE LAST WEEK OF
THE LAST CLASS BEFORE YOU
GRADUATE.
• DON’T WAIT THAT LONG TO SHOW
YOU CARE.

7. It’s all relative
• I think your family is more
important than your schooling, but
I understand if you don't.
• I don't think your work is more
important than your schooling, but
I understand if you do.

8. Each of us brings
something to the student-
professor relationship --
some of us more than
others. That's easy to
change.

9. My goals
• I like to discuss controversial topics. I don’t
intend to provoke fights, just thoughts. Please be
kind to those who support me in this venture.
• My goal is not to get you to think, act, walk, or
talk like I do. I'll be satisfied if you just learn how
to think, act, walk, or talk like you are inclined.
• I try to be consistent, so if anything I do
contradicts what I have said, please call me on it,
respectfully, but call me on it.

10. What it costs
• I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE MORE DEBT FROM
ATTENDING COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THAN YOU CAN PAY
BACK IN THE FIRST 10 YEARS AFTER GRADUATION
WITHOUT STARVING (YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN’T OWE
MORE THAN YOUR TOTAL REAL, NOT DREAMED FOR,
SALARY IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS).
• BEFORE TAKING IN DEBT THAT MUST BE REPAID
AFTER GRADUATION, EXPLORE ALL OF THE FREE MONEY
OPTIONS AVAILABLE (LIKE GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS).
• SOMETIMES, PEOPLE THINK THEY NEED MORE
MONEY THAN THEY DO BECAUSE THEY HAVE A LIFESTYLE
THAT COSTS A LOT. YOUR LIFESTYLE SHOULD MATCH, OR
BE BELOW, YOUR BUDGET -- NO MATTER WHO IS FUNDING
IT.

11. Free money helps get jobs
If you have not explored the availability of grants,
scholarships, and other sources of money because
you didn't think you qualified or thought the
application process wasn't worth your time, you
should reconsider. Just receiving a grant or
scholarship, however minor, distinguishes you from
others (it's also another line on your resume).
Learning how to apply for things you think you barely
qualify for is likely to serve you well in the future --
why not develop the habit now?

12. Most employers in criminal
justice-related fields value life
experience.
IF YOU HAVE NOT WORKED OR ARE
NOT WORKING IN THE FIELD, YOU
SHOULD COMPLETE AN INTERNSHIP
OR VOLUNTEER FOR A CAUSE THAT
IS RELATED IN SOME WAY TO
CRIMINAL JUSTICE BEFORE
GRADUATING. DON'T WAIT UNTIL AN
OPPORTUNITY IS HANDED TO YOU -
MAKE OPPORTUNITIES HAPPEN.

13. • INTERNSHIPS ALMOST
OPEN DOORS AND
PROVIDE NETWORKING
OPPORTUNITIES, AND
SOMETIMES LEAD TO JOB
OFFERS.
• VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES HAVE
MUCH THE SAME BENEFIT
AS INTERNSHIPS.

14. Be memorable - positively
You’ll likely need a letter of
recommendation from a few faculty
members so make sure you are
memorable in a positive way. This
can happen by engaging in class
discussion and doing exceptionally
well on assignments.

15. Recommendations
• If after the course ends you feel I have had a
good opportunity to evaluate your potential for
success and would be willing to write a letter of
recommendation for you, you are most likely
correct.
• In the meantime, you should know that I actually
enjoy getting updates on your progress, especially
when they start with "you were right when you
said." That helps me remember wonderful things
about you, no matter how well you did in class.

16. Need your help
PLEASE DON’T PUT LESS EFFORT INTO
THE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
ENDEAVOR THAN YOU EXPECT ME TO.
WHEN YOU EMAIL ME TO ASK IF I AM
WILLING TO PUT MY CREDIBILITY ON THE
LINE, INCLUDE A LIST OF THE COURSES
YOU TOOK (THAT I WAS TEACHING), HOW
YOU DID IN THE CLASS (ATTENDANCE,
INTERACTION, PROJECTS, AND GRADE),
AND WHAT YOU ARE HOPING I WILL
COVER IN MY LETTER.

17. Do’s and Don’ts
• If it's been more than a year since we
communicated and you never took my advice
and created a free profile on LinkedIn, help my
aging memory with a professional looking
photo.
• Don't ask me for a "to whom it may concern"
letter. I don't think anyone reads them, and I
want to recommend you for (only) certain
positions. No one is qualified for all the
available jobs in their field.

18. End of success tips.
What did we miss?