Guest Speakers Connect to the Criminal Justice Program Every Friday



Elizabeth Marino has a thing for horses, and criminal justice. In fact, the Concord High School senior from Deerfield works feeding horses every morning before coming to school to attend her CRTC Criminal Justice classes. Now, thanks in a roundabout way to a recent guest speaker from a Rhode Island university, Elizabeth has found a way to enjoy both her passions with one local work-based learning experience.


Starting in April, Elizabeth will be job shadowing with the Manchester Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit. She made this connection indirectly through a Criminal Justice program guest speaker from Johnson & Wales University who talked to students via Zoom about both the university’s renown Criminal Justice program, and, as an aside, about their new Equine program. 


“I grew up with a love for horses and inspired by law enforcement’s dedication to protect and serve the community,” Elizabeth said. “So that guest speaker got me thinking that maybe I could combine my two passions.”


The opportunity came a short time later through a chance encounter on her job at the Tuckaway Tavern, in Raymond. Long story short, Elizabeth complimented a customer’s horse-themed facemask, which started a conversation. Turns out, the woman was a retired police officer who gave Elizabeth contact information for the Mounted Patrol Unit. On her own initiative, Elizabeth connected, they were thrilled to have her, and she will start her job shadow in April and will continue every Friday through May.


“The purpose of connecting students to professionals in the industry is both educational and to create some networking opportunities,” said Criminal Justice teacher Gail Beaudoin, who has been bringing in a variety of guest speakers, mostly via Zoom, every Friday since the start of the school year. 


Speakers have included a range of Criminal Justice career fields, including a UNH forensic anthropologist, a lawyer, a Department of Corrections official, and a private investigator, as well as postsecondary Criminal Justice program information and Q&A sessions.


“These connections get them to think bigger picture,” Ms. Beaudoin said. “These student’s understanding of criminal justice is basically limited to what they see on TV or in the movies. They need to know about the wide range of  career possibilities out there.”


Elizabeth will be attending Johnson & Wales next year. She says that having the opportunity to listen to guest speakers and participate in a job shadow while still in high school is part of how the CRTC helps students to Be Prepared to Stand Out.


 “I never would have heard about this opportunity if it wasn’t for the Criminal Justice guest speaker program,” she said. “The CRTC has taught me that if you accept, engage and invest yourself in all the opportunities that are presented to you, that you will stand out.”


Click Here to learn more about the CRTC Criminal Justice Program.

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