SUCCESS TIPS FOR (MY) CLASSESWITH A FEW EXTRA TIPS ON LIFE FOR

GOOD MEASURE

I teach criminal justice as if you

were planning to work in that

field.

If you don’t intend to do that

you should be able to apply

what you learn to your chosen

field.

Lateness is normal, but not appropriate or accepted (with few exceptions)

◦ for class, don’t make it a habit (more than 2 times in 5

weeks) or disrupt the rest of us if you are late from another

class or running from the parking lot. Any lateness after 15

minutes is the same as absence, especially if you overslept.

◦ on assignments, I may say it’s ok to be late, but there

will still be a penalty. That is typically 1 letter grade (10 points)

per day for writing assignments.

◦ for appointments, interviews, or work of any kind, it

depends on the supervisor but it’s generally not a good idea.

Some will fire you instead of scolding you.

The why is key

• The assignments in the course are for

you to see how much you know -- they do

relatively little for me.

• Assignments that aren’t clear, have

issues, or take “too long” prepare you for

the workforce. Please point them out to me,

and realize that you may have been the

only one that noticed. That is a good quality

— develop it!

This is different - think that way

• The required time or page length for assignments should be seen as the minimum standard. If you want an average grade — that’s a C — aim for the minimum. If you want lower or higher, you should adjust accordingly.

• If I mention the amount of time expected or taken on an assignment and the first thing that comes to mind is how there’s no way the result could be worth the investment, you may still have too much high school in your brain.

The importance of GPA

• I CAN'T POSSIBLY CARE ABOUT

YOUR GPA MORE THAN YOU DO.

• THE TIME TO CARE ABOUT YOUR

GPA IS ANY TIME BEFORE THE LAST

ASSIGNMENT IN THE LAST WEEK OF

THE LAST CLASS BEFORE YOU

GRADUATE.

• DON’T WAIT THAT LONG TO SHOW

YOU CARE.

It’s all relative

• I think your family is more

important than your schooling, but

I understand if you don't.

• I don't think your work is more

important than your schooling, but

I understand if you do.

Each of us brings something to the student-professor relationship --some of us more than others. That's easy to change.

My goals

• I like to discuss controversial topics. I don’t intend to provoke fights, just thoughts. Please be kind to those who support me in this venture.

• My goal is not to get you to think, act, walk, or talk like I do. I'll be satisfied if you just learn how to think, act, walk, or talk like you are inclined.

• I try to be consistent, so if anything I do contradicts what I have said, please call me on it, respectfully, but call me on it.

What it costs• I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE MORE DEBT FROM

ATTENDING COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THAN YOU CAN PAY

BACK IN THE FIRST 10 YEARS AFTER GRADUATION

WITHOUT STARVING (YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN’T OWE

MORE THAN YOUR TOTAL REAL, NOT DREAMED FOR,

SALARY IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS).

• BEFORE TAKING IN DEBT THAT MUST BE REPAID

AFTER GRADUATION, EXPLORE ALL OF THE FREE MONEY

OPTIONS AVAILABLE (LIKE GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS).

• SOMETIMES, PEOPLE THINK THEY NEED MORE

MONEY THAN THEY DO BECAUSE THEY HAVE A LIFESTYLE

THAT COSTS A LOT. YOUR LIFESTYLE SHOULD MATCH, OR

BE BELOW, YOUR BUDGET -- NO MATTER WHO IS FUNDING

IT.

Free money helps get jobs

If you have not explored the availability of grants,

scholarships, and other sources of money because

you didn't think you qualified or thought the

application process wasn't worth your time, you

should reconsider. Just receiving a grant or

scholarship, however minor, distinguishes you from

others (it's also another line on your resume).

Learning how to apply for things you think you barely

qualify for is likely to serve you well in the future --

why not develop the habit now?

Most employers in criminal justice-related fields value life experience. IF YOU HAVE NOT WORKED OR ARE

NOT WORKING IN THE FIELD, YOU

SHOULD COMPLETE AN INTERNSHIP

OR VOLUNTEER FOR A CAUSE THAT

IS RELATED IN SOME WAY TO

CRIMINAL JUSTICE BEFORE

GRADUATING. DON'T WAIT UNTIL AN

OPPORTUNITY IS HANDED TO YOU -

MAKE OPPORTUNITIES HAPPEN.

• INTERNSHIPS ALMOST

OPEN DOORS AND

PROVIDE NETWORKING

OPPORTUNITIES, AND

SOMETIMES LEAD TO JOB

OFFERS.

• VOLUNTEER

OPPORTUNITIES HAVE

MUCH THE SAME BENEFIT

AS INTERNSHIPS.

Be memorable - positively

You’ll likely need a letter of

recommendation from a few faculty

members so make sure you are

memorable in a positive way. This

can happen by engaging in class

discussion and doing exceptionally

well on assignments.

Recommendations

• If after the course ends you feel I have had a good opportunity to evaluate your potential for success and would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you, you are most likely correct.

• In the meantime, you should know that I actually enjoy getting updates on your progress, especially when they start with "you were right when you said." That helps me remember wonderful things about you, no matter how well you did in class.

Need your helpPLEASE DON’T PUT LESS EFFORT INTO

THE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

ENDEAVOR THAN YOU EXPECT ME TO.

WHEN YOU EMAIL ME TO ASK IF I AM

WILLING TO PUT MY CREDIBILITY ON THE

LINE, INCLUDE A LIST OF THE COURSES

YOU TOOK (THAT I WAS TEACHING), HOW

YOU DID IN THE CLASS (ATTENDANCE,

INTERACTION, PROJECTS, AND GRADE),

AND WHAT YOU ARE HOPING I WILL

COVER IN MY LETTER.

Do’s and Don’ts

• If it's been more than a year since we communicated and you never took my advice and created a free profile on LinkedIn, help my aging memory with a professional looking photo.

• Don't ask me for a "to whom it may concern" letter. I don't think anyone reads them, and I want to recommend you for (only) certain positions. No one is qualified for all the available jobs in their field.

End of success tips.What did we miss?