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When I was younger, my parents went through a challenging divorce. I was the youngest of three kids, so most of the time, I took the brunt of it all and was typically put on the back burner during my middle and high school years. Everything I went through and experienced with my family’s trauma inspired what I wanted to study in college: sociology and psychology. (No, I cannot read your mind – I get asked that a lot.) I selected these fields to learn why people do what they do. I also want to know how people’s minds work and see how they think and process their life experiences.

I aspire to get my master’s degree in public administration once I graduate from Eastern Michigan University so I can take the next step to change the world. I know it will be challenging, but I have never backed down from a challenge. My goal is to work within the government to try and make changes for the better, ultimately working in criminal justice.

Many aspects of the criminal justice system need to be reformed to help better rehabilitate offenders once released from correctional facilities. Second chances are inspiring; seeing people come around after making the wrong decision the first time is incredible. I have never had an internship in this field, but I have always been passionate about criminal justice and an advocate for change. I want to make this world a better place for others and hope to inspire others along the way to do the same.

The original area I wanted to explore within the criminal justice system was corrections. I wanted to help rehabilitate offenders upon release. But I have realized that to make the change I want, I will need to focus on the court system, and obtaining my master’s degree will help me reach this goal. Starting there, I will be able to build my career and continue to climb up the ladder to make the changes I want to see in the criminal justice system. Working in corrections, I could help the offenders rehabilitate; however, I would not be able to revamp the system and fix the re-entry process for returning citizens. There are many barriers for offenders to get that second chance to start over and do better once they get out. By furthering my education, I will increase my chances of getting a job in the government and, hopefully, be able to reform some of the policies that put those barriers in place.

Written by Allie McComber, Fall 2022 Let’s Detroit Campus Ambassador