The university’s Criminal Justice Career Expo brings students and alumni together

When Samantha Kiss ’19 was in her final year of college, she stopped by the Bristol Police Department booth at the Criminal Justice Career Fair and started talking to Officer Mark Kichar ’11.

She talked to him about her courses, taking groups on tour as a student ambassador and how she loved being part of the American Criminal Justice Association. Kichar shared his own stories about his time at the university, as a student leader, in athletics and as student association president. “She clearly wasn’t shy; she was a strong communicator, which is important in our work,” said Kichar. “I could tell she cared a lot about the field.”

By the time they finished talking, Kichar knew she would be a great addition to the Bristol Police Department, and Kiss knew she wanted to be a part of it. She was hired in May of that year.

‘It’s a wonderful experience to give something back’

In April, Kiss was back on campus with Kichar, both working a booth at the spring Criminal Justice Career Fair, representing the Bristol Police Department. As students passed by their table, Officers Kiss and Kichar discussed their police work and encouraged students to text them with questions and participate in a four-hour drive.

“We can talk to students about what the job is like and how great our department is, but until they get in the patrol car with us, they won’t know,” Kiss said. “We want them to have a fully immersive experience.”

“It’s a great experience to give back, to be able to come back to our college campus and see how it continues to change, and to see the familiar faces that come through from fair to fair,” Kiss added.

They were two of many alumni who were on campus to recruit students in criminal justice, forensic science, national security and related fields.

Bakhtawar Izzat, employer relations manager for the Career Development Center, said more than 50 local, state and federal agencies, nonprofits and other organizations were represented at the Criminal Justice Career Expo, including the FBI, DEA, U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, local and state police from many states, the U.S. Border Patrol, the Center for Family Justice, and other agencies and organizations. “It is so important that our students have the opportunity to make these connections,” Izzat said.

‘I have to pass that on’

In his work as a special agent in the U.S. Secret Service’s New York field office, Jahir Blanton ’18, ’19 MS says he “protects diplomats and world leaders, as well as the financial integrity of the United States, by investigating bank fraud and bank fraud money, internet crimes against children and identity theft.” He also promotes work and protection when presidents, prime ministers, kings and queens attend the annual United Nations General Assembly. “It’s a really cool job,” he says. “I love it.”

After completing his master’s degree, he was hired for a job with a salary “that was life-changing. I was 23 years old and making a six-figure salary,” he said. He has been a member of the Secret Service for nearly five years and will take on a new role in June, part of the team protecting a former president and first lady.

He said his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university have “completely prepared him for his job,” and said he is eager to return to criminal justice career fairs. “I played football and ran here,” he said. “I am a charger for life.”

‘I want to help open the doors that opened for me’

Blanton vividly remembers the alumni and professors who helped him find internships and advised him during his job search. “I’ll have to pass that on,” he said. “I want these students to get a job that will change their lives, just like it did for me.”

Blanton and other alumni spoke about how prepared University of New Haven students are, and came away with resumes full of relevant information. “They can give a great five-minute elevator speech, and they do great in interviews. As an alum, I’m proud to see that,” he said.

Michael Cogan ’97, ’02 MS, group supervisor at the DEA New Haven office, said he found it helpful during his college years to talk to professors and alumni from “different facets of law enforcement.” They spoke to me, answered my questions and guided me in my job search.”

“I think it’s very important to give back,” says Cogan. “The students ask all the questions I used to ask, like: ‘What can I do to stand out?’ I want to help open the doors that opened for me.”