Internships are extremely important for all degree programs, and criminal justice is no exception. Villa Maria College’s criminal justice program even incorporates two internships into its curriculum so that students can gain a wealth of firsthand experience and more opportunities to apply what they’ve learned from coursework to real-life situations. Expanding knowledge beyond the classroom and gaining clarity on what you really want to do with your criminal justice degree after graduation are just some of the key advantages internships offer. There are many benefits of participating in internships, and understanding them can help you make the most of these opportunities.
The Benefits of Criminal Justice Internships
Internships provide students with a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application. They offer an inside look into the daily responsibilities of professionals working in the field and allow students to experience firsthand the challenges and rewards of criminal justice careers. By participating in internships, students can enhance their resumes, build valuable connections, and gain insights that will help guide their career choices.
Gain Hands-On Experience
Active, practical experience provides valuable real-world exposure, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting. Internships offer a first-hand look at what working in criminal justice really entails. Students see the day-to-day realities of working in criminal justice environments, which is key to helping them better adapt to the culture, expectations, and challenges they will likely face in this field.
Develop Relevant Skills
Internships push students to develop critical skills like verbal and written communication, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making, all of which are highly valued in criminal justice. Employers look for candidates who have and can use these skills effectively. A degree may prove you know your stuff, but the skills you have demonstrate real application of that knowledge. Being able to work with people from diverse backgrounds, connect with individuals like witnesses, victims, and suspects to gain insight and gather information, or work on policy that helps keep people safe and protects their rights are all in a day’s work in criminal justice.
Increase Career Preparedness
Classes teach you a lot, but there are some things learned best through real-world, on-the-job experiences. Internships often leave students feeling more confident and capable. Having a better idea of what to expect and how to handle yourself gives you a better understanding of your future role in the field.
Build Professional Connections
Landing a job after college is often based on more than just your resume and interview. Sometimes who you know matters. Internships connect students with professionals in the industry, which can lead to mentorships, references, or even job offers after graduation. Becoming peers with people already working in criminal justice builds professional relationships. Some organizations may choose to source talent through their internship programs, especially since they’ve already invested time and effort into your education.
Explore Multiple Career Paths
When students participate in an internship, one of two things usually happens: they either are re-affirmed that they want to work in a particular area of criminal justice or decide to pivot to a different part of the field. Criminal justice is vast, encompassing everything from law enforcement to corrections to policy advocacy. Pursuing internships in different areas of the field exposes students to an array of experiences and allows them to better align future goals with their interests, passions, and strengths.
Internship Opportunities
Villa’s criminal justice faculty have connections locally throughout the field. Students directly benefit from these established relationships with hands-on experiences at different criminal justice agencies and organizations. These connections include:
- Animal Control
- Buffalo Police Department
- BPD Child Abuse Unit
- Crime Analysis Center
- Erie County District Attorney’s Office
- Erie County Family Juvenile Court
- Erie Family Probation Department
- Erie County Sheriff’s Office
- Emergency Communications (911 Dispatch)
- Family Justice Center
- Heart Foundation
- Kenmore Police Department
- Livingston International
- Metro Data Services
- National Grid
- Niagara County Probation Department
- NYS DEC-Division of Law Enforcement
- Ontario County Sheriff’s Office
- Phelps Police Department
- Public Safety Units
- SPCA
- St. Joseph’s Hospital Security
- Town of Tonawanda Courts
Pursue Criminal Justice Degree at Villa
Gain knowledge and confidence to thrive and make changes for the better in criminal justice at Villa. Discover yourself, your interests, and your passions in this field and find a path that aligns with those values. Contact us today to learn more about the department!
