Michaela Lawrence

I studied criminal justice to pursue my dream job of working at the FBI as a criminal profiler. Along with this, I knew having a criminal justice degree would open quite a bit of job opportunities for me due to the diversity the degree offers as far as employment goes.

Why did you study criminal justice? 

I studied criminal justice to pursue my dream job of working at the FBI as a criminal profiler. Along with this, I knew having a criminal justice degree would open quite a bit of job opportunities for me due to the diversity the degree offers as far as employment goes.

What’s unique about studying criminal justice at UW-Milwaukee?

What makes studying criminal justice unique at UWM is the faculty and educational resources/opportunities provided. It was here that I was able to receive a master’s of science in crime analysis. No other school in Wisconsin offers this until recently where Marquette has started to offer classes. Studying criminal justice at UWM has allowed me to be competitive in the workforce because the faculty is dedicated to ensuring that you receive the best resources possible and providing us with multiple opportunities for advancing our education while making our resumes competitive.

If you did a field placement, how did this experience help you?

I did no field placement.

How did HBSSW help you?

HBSSW helped me by providing me with a scholarship as a graduate assistant to further my education beyond my bachelor’s degrees. This opportunity gave me the ability to work more closely with my professors and provided me with first-hand experience looking at research.

What’s your best advice for criminal justice students?

My best advice for criminal justice students is to take advantage of all the opportunities the HBSSW offers here at UWM. It is one task to pursue a criminal justice degree and another to diversify yourself from those receiving the same degree. Not only look at what HBSSW offers, but what UWM offers. I would suggest studying abroad, field placement opportunities, volunteering in the community, or joining clubs. Essentially, find an experience that demonstrates the qualities of your future career aspiration.

Where is Michaela Lawrence now?

Michaela Lawrence is a cryptologic linguist for the U.S. Army.