An interview with Marlo Colston, a graduate of ITT Tech Online’s Criminal Justice Associate’s degree.

What Program did you study?

Criminal Justice 2 year Associates Degree Program – Juvenile Law Concentration

What is your current career?

Currently I work part time with the Juvenile office locally, which gives me the opportunity to be at home with my children. I often work on caseloads and reports from home. When I am in the field I work with troubled youth ranging from the age of 6 to 17.

Describe a typical day in your current career?

When I am able to work from home a lot of my work is done via Internet, email and phone calls. There is normally 1-2 days per week that I am out visiting with different kids, making sure they are staying out of trouble, supervising their community service hours, talking and checking in with their managers in the places which they do these hours, and then I report back to their Juvenile Officer.

How did your training help you get into this career?

Having been through some of the things these kids experience, I knew from day one this is what I wanted to do. With a family I was able to go to school online and pick up where I left off after graduating from the Law enforcement training academy. You have to have the BA to become a juvenile officer, but I have learned I like to be on this side of the fence where I earn the trust of the kids I work with. Classes in victimology, juvenile law and psychology are the core classes for this type of work.

How would things be different for you if you hadn’t received this training?

Mostly, I would see these young kids in a rather dim light, not giving them the benefit or time they deserve. From the standpoint of a law enforcement officer, you have to look at things differently, that is their job, as an advocate for them and their families. I am able to work a totally different angle. Rather than condemning them for their behavior I am able to help them change their behavior.

Were you happy with the training that you received?

Yes. Absolutely and had I decided to pursue that specific career further I would go with ITT tech over anyone else in a heartbeat. It was just a lot easier with having a family to take care of.

How long is the program (or was the program)?

This particular program you were able to work at your own pace. I was finished in 12 months. I think it all depends on you and how hard you are willing to work.

Favorite classes and why was it your favorite?

I love Juvenile Law. That is what I wanted to go into in the first place, that and victimlology. You learn more than what is just in the textbooks. Victimology also opens your eyes to a completely different world, and often times this is where a lot of the youth’s issues stem from.

What did you take from the program that you use in your everyday job tasks?  Explain.

Well, overall there is something that you can apply to everyday life. Learning from the juvenile courses to family law, just about anything in your daily life can be applied. Even the report writing teaches you to better pay attention to the small things and apply them in ways that they make sense to others.

What was the most important class/lesson from the program?

No one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes, and we are all human. Sometimes, things aren’t always just on the surface. You have to dig deeper than just throwing a criminal in jail.

How much did it cost for you to complete the program?

Well, I used all financial aid and my family did have a college fund for me as well. I am currently still paying on my student loans.

Did you receive any financial aid or scholarships?  Which ones?  Were these easy to obtain?

I used Pell grants and Loans. The school loan officer did everything for me. It was wonderful!

Did you go to school on a full-time or part-time basis?

Full time.

Would you recommend this school to someone else? Why or why not?

Most definitely for any other parent or student trying to take on bigger load this school was phenomenal! They care about their students even though you are not sitting in front of them!

If there were online classes, how was the experience of online versus a classroom setting?

There is an adjustment period but I loved sitting in my comfortable clothes with a cup of hot tea and the radio on doing my homework. All I had to do was look over my shoulder to see my 2 year old paying quietly. Those are the memories you can’t get back.

If there were online classes, did you feel that you were able to learn as well as you would have in the classroom setting?

Sure. I was able to go at my own pace. If there was something I didn’t quite understand I could stop, go back over it, read on, or research it. I could learn however I needed to without disrupting an entire classroom of people or a professor to contact.

Do you think you might be interested in ITT Tech Online or an online Criminal Justice degree?