Career Success Center : Spotlight

Successful Students Using the CDC – Iris Will

Name: Iris Will

Hometown: Bethel, CT

Degree, major & minor (if applicable): Bachelor of Science in Justice and Law Administration

Major Concentration: Law Enforcement

Minor: Accounting

Month & year of graduation: May 2015

On & off-campus involvement (clubs, organizations, professional associations, etc.):

  • President, Alpha Phi Sigma
  • President and Secretary, Justice and Law Administration Club
  • Senator, Student Government Association
  • Member, Western Connecticut State University’s Honors Program
  • EMT, West Redding Fire Department
  • Member, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars
  • Member, The National Society of Leadership and Success

Internships:

  • Connecticut General Assembly, Legislative Internship Program
  • Bridgeport Police Department

Plans for after graduation:

I am very passionate about helping others and plan on becoming a law enforcement officer. I have taken advantage of many of the services Western Connecticut State University has offered me and have dedicated a lot of my time preparing for the challenges I will face in this field to make myself stand out from other candidates.  I am excited to start this new chapter in my life.


What CDC services did you utilize?

I went through Career Services Office when I applied for my internship at the Connecticut General Assembly. Dr. Ciarleglio helped me through the process and gave me the opportunity to take advantage of one of the best things I have done to prepare myself for the real world.  Another service the office offers and I attend every year is the Career Fair. The Career Services brings representatives from many organizations and associations to the Career Fair, and it is a great way to help students plan their future. These representatives can answer any questions you have and also give you advice on how to achieve your goal of working for that organization. I currently work at a dental office and saw their ad on the Colonial Career Connection website. Many local employers are looking for college students and place their ads on the website in order to get applicants from Western Connecticut State University. I have also utilized the classes on successful job search tips and what graduating seniors should be doing in order to get a job in their field of study. The office of Career Services has helped me astronomically and has prepared me for a career in law enforcement.


Advice to WCSU students:

The biggest piece of advice I would give to students is to take advantage of all the opportunities that Western has to offer. It is highly unlikely that you will ever have more opportunities than you have right now. Because of Western, I have interned at a police department and at our state’s capitol.  Organizations are looking for students to intern and even work for them and they contact the Career Services office for students who may be interested in these positions.

Another big piece of advice is to get involved on campus. I am a member of many clubs and organizations on campus and I have met people and experienced things that many students never will. For example, I went with the Justice and Law Club to Orlando, Florida, for a conference and listened to very influential speakers in the field of Criminal Justice.  I also was a Senator for the Student Government Association and we went down to Virginia and attended a leadership conference. At this conference I learned so many great skills that have helped me become the leader I am today. In job interviews employers do ask what you have done on campus. I do not want any student from Western to say they have done nothing, especially when they have so many opportunities to make themselves stand out among others.

Finally, I would tell students to study and work had while in college. Grades are very important and future employers do look at your grades. Again, I want to state the importance of taking advantage of all that Western has to offer. This is a great opportunity and I hope you do not let it pass you by.