Career Counselor Vanessa Richard (r) discusses criminal justice career options with Victoria Olson.
Career Services is coming to the College of Criminal Justice, offering a wide variety of services to help identify – and land -- a dream job in the field.
Career Counselor/CJ Liaison Vanessa Richard, a recent Georgia transplant who did career counseling for the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, will be available in the Criminal Justice Center four days a week in Room A251, near the Dean’s Office. Whether you are a freshman just starting your academic career, a senior anticipating your fast-approaching graduation date, or an alumnus looking for a new job or career,
Vanessa RichardVanessa can assist with career assessments, career counseling, mock interviews, cover letter and resume critiques, and presentations and workshops.
“I can help students identify their personal interests and skills and guide them into career choices,” said Vanessa.
The hours of operation for the Criminal Justice Career Services Office are:
- Tuesdays: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Thursdays: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Fridays: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Vanessa can also be reached by phone at (936) 294-4305 or by email at vrichard@shsu.edu.
Career Services can assist students or alumni in exploring different career options through assessment tests that identify your skills, interests, personality and work-related values. Sam Houston State University has two assessment tools available for students – the Newly Revised Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and Vanessa can help interpret the results. She is also available to faculty for presentations in their classrooms.
Jobs4Kats is a free, online job posting system that offers job and internship opportunities, on-campus interview schedules, online resume critiques and workshop signups. The College of Criminal Justice also offers career postings in the field at http://www.cjcenter.org/directory/jobs.php.
To effectively apply for those jobs, Career Services can assist with crafting a resume and cover letter or practicing mock interviews.
Career Services also offers Job Fairs and on-campus interviews with agencies and businesses. In fact, the Criminal Justice Career Fair, which attracts dozens of agencies in law enforcement, corrections, victims services, private security and forensics, is scheduled this year on March 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom. Prior to the event, Career Services will host a workshop on resumes and interviewing.
Before joining Sam Houston State University, Vanessa served for 22 years in a variety of positions in Georgia. Prior to her 10 years as a career counselor, she worked as a case manager in the state’s Department of Family and Children’s Services, in the Women Infant Child (WIC) program and in a private firm that assisted hospitals in determining Medicaid eligibility for their patients.