Westfield State University senior D.J. O’Neil, right, of Hanover, questions Vermont State Trooper Stephanie Shaw on the opportunities of a career in law enforcement during a career fair at the university yesterday. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – Despite recent claims by Westfield State University President Dr. Evan S. Dobelle that a member of the school’s Board of Trustees is seeking to turn the school into a “diploma mill” for state troopers, the Western Avenue institution is continuing to do what it does best.
With more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in its Criminal Justice, Psychology and other related fields, Westfield State held its 18th annual College Career Centers of Western Massachusetts Government, Criminal Justice and Non-Profit Career Fair on Tuesday, one of the school’s signature events in its campus athletic center, The Woodward Center.
Westfield State University senior Ruthie May Therrien, of Chicopee, left, fills in her contact information to become a court intern with Westfield District Court as Probation Officers John Hoar and Laura Dion look on during a career fair at the school yesterday. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
“It’s really an amazing feeling for staff, faculty and students to host 100 federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as non-profit agencies at Westfield State,” said Giselle Abed, associate director of the Career Center at the University. “We typically get 700 students from the school, upstate New York, and from as far east as Maine. It’s the largest fair of its kind in New England.”
Westfield State students from all over the Commonwealth showed up to hand out resumes, take business cards, shake hands and make connections.
“It’s a great network opportunity for Westfield students,” said D.J. O’Neill, a senior from Hanover. “It’s a great way to get career advice. I can’t say enough about it.”
A Criminal Justice and Psychology major, O’Neill was looking to speak with law enforcement agencies of all kinds Tuesday.
“I don’t know about whether I’ll be able to speak with many federal agencies, what with the government shutdown,” he said. “But I have a keen interest in state police agencies like New Hampshire and Vermont, which have lots of opportunities available.”
Law enforcement representatives from Westfield were on hand as well, from Westfield District Court’s Probation Division and the city’s Police Department.
“We work with the Police Department trying to keep the city safe,” said John Hoar, a probation officer with the court. “We work with Westfield State students a lot.”
“We enjoy working with them quite a bit,” added Laura Dion, an assistant chief probation officer. “We try to limit interns to four students a semester, but in the past we’ve done five. They really enjoy it as well.”
The Westfield Police Department was represented by lifelong Whip City residents Officers Doug LaValley and Kevin Bard.
“We want (students) to know what’s available for a municipal police department,” said LaValley. “We work a lot with WSU interns, as well.”
“Some people think this is a small department, but we have about 85 officers in multiple bureaus,” added Bard. “But there is room for advancement.”
“We have a stake in this community and this college,” said Bard who along with LaValley, in addition to being hometown boys, are also alumni of Westfield State, and hope to keep the WSU-WPD connection strong.
“It’s a really good opportunity for our students,” added Alain Akasa, a Westfield State alum who currently serves as an academic advisor at his alma mater. “I’ve run into a couple of alumni today, who are working in the field. It’s good to see them come back and show their Westfield State pride.”
Located in Lammers Hall, the center has been the driving force behind the school’s career day series, of which Criminal Justice is just one of numerous majors represented during the course of the academic year.
“It’s a way to create networks and to get introduced to individuals who can become connections. It’s a valuable asset to students, as well as the general public,” said Career Center Director Junior Delgado of the annual event. “Any college or university student is welcome. The next closest event as far as size may be John Jay (College of Criminal Justice) in New York.”
