The author attended their university's Public Safety Career Day where various law enforcement agencies were present to promote their careers. The author networked enthusiastically with representatives, preparing questions and introducing themselves professionally. They made an important connection with a Border Patrol officer who knew the recruiter for the FBI, the author's ultimate career goal. The author believes Career Day is invaluable for making connections that can open doors to internships and jobs in law enforcement fields.

1. Lexi Shriver
10/22/14
Public Safety Career Day
In the days leading up to Public Safety Career Day, I had developed this idea
of what it was going to be like based on what I had been told by upperclassmen. I
was expecting sirens going constantly and mass crowds of people scrambling
around Taylor Courtyard. When I got to the event, it was pretty much exactly as I
had pictured. There were various different law enforcement agencies, from local to
federal, lined up around the edges of Taylor Courtyard ready to pitch their careers
to whoever was willing to listen, blaring their sirens at the beck and call of Jim
White. Honestly, I felt like a 5 year old again, and I loved it. I was full of excitement
and joy at the idea of one of these agencies potentially being my employer. That was
my goal after all. I was looking to get my foot in the door any way I could
(internship, part time job, etc.) in the law enforcement field, and I was determined
to use Public Safety Career Day to do so.
Because I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect out of this event, I wasn’t
exactly sure how to prepare either. Yes, I covered the basics, like coming up with a
simple “elevator pitch,” creating a small list of questions to ask the representatives,
making sure I was “dressed to impress,” etc.; but I wasn’t sure if I needed to have
résumés on hand or printed contact information to give out or anything like that. I
was unsure of how professional this was supposed to be. My elevator pitch simply
stated my year in school, my majors and minor, what I intend to do with that major,
and my interest in any and all law enforcement internships. I felt that this really
covered all the basics and allowed for more conversation to stem from it. If the

2. conversation didn’t take off from the elevator pitch, I had back up questions to ask;
such as, what all jobs/careers does your department/agency offer, what are all the
job responsibilities that this department encompasses, does your department prefer
a Bachelor’s Degree or more education, and what are the requirements to obtain a
job in your department? With these questions, I was able to have a lengthy
conversation with almost everyone I spoke with. I felt that I prepared the best I
possibly could.
As I mentioned before, I was excited as all get out for this event. I wasn’t at all
nervous because I love putting myself out there and talking to people, it was all pure
excitement. When all the sirens when off indicating the start of the event, I got so
giddy, and I mean almost shaking with excitement, because that meant it was time
for me to start making some very important connections. The giddiness did
somewhat affect my ability to remember my questions and focus on the
conversation at hand at first, but once it wore off, I was able to network like a pro.
I tried to be as professional as possible at the event, whether I was talking to
a representative or walking from booth to booth. I was dressed in a suit because I
had given a speech beforehand, so that aspect was taken care of. I also made sure to
shake people’s hands that I spoke to, introduce myself by name and elevator pitch,
and maintain eye contact the entire time I spoke with them. Even when it felt like no
one was watching me as I walked around the courtyard, I tried to keep good posture
and a composed face. This professionalism actually really helped me to network!
The handshake was my most valuable asset, to be honest. Using it allowed for me to
not only introduced myself by name so they had a better chance of remembering

3. me, but it also allowed me to get their name so that future contact would be much
easier. For example, I stopped by the Border Patrol table to learn a little bit about it
and shook the hand of Officer Sam Cones, which began a long conversation not only
about Border Patrol, but about my interests and goals as well. As I explained to him
my goals of making it to the FBI, he perked up and said “Well, you’re in luck, I just so
happen to know their National Recruiter.” He then told me about how close of
friends they are and how he recommends prospective agents to her, and then
proceeded to tell me that if I ever came across the recruiter, to say Sam Cones sent
me, and it would get me far. Although I’m sure if I did meet her and say that right
now, it wouldn’t mean much because Cones doesn’t know me all that well, really at
all, but that’s why networking is so great! Now I know that if I can get to know Mr.
Cones well, say maybe through an internship, and show him how great of an agent I
can be, then I may have an extremely vital and valuable connection to my ultimate
goal: the FBI.
I think this event is probably the main reason we have so many distinguished
SPEA Alumni out in the world. This event is where people get their foot in the door.
This even is the stepping-stone. This event is where careers such as DEA agents,
Directors of Homeland Security, Chiefs of Police, and State Troopers begin. The one
internship people can get from this or the one interview the can obtain can make the
difference in their careers, and that’s why this day is so important. This day opens
doors to the rest of peoples’ lives.
Personally, as I mentioned before, this event has already helped me
tremendously. Just the one simple connection I made with Inspector Cones was

4. enough to convince me that this event is worthwhile. I plan to use that connection in
the future by obtaining an internship with Border Patrol and then possibly a job
with them as well until I decide to make my ultimate move to the FBI. I know it’s a
pretty specific plan for such a long-term goal, but as of right now, that’s what I want
to do and how I want to use this connection to do it.
I feel as though I accomplished my goal of making at least one valuable
connection, so I think I did well networking. However, I think next year I’ll bring
some résumés and/or some form of contact information to give to the
representatives so they’ll better remember me. But who knows? Maybe by then, I’ll
have that job with Border Patrol and won’t need to go to Public Safety Career Day.