Florida Tax Watch.\u00a0<\/a>This shortage highlights a demand for criminal justice organizations to connect with students.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
UCF\u2019s Lambda Alpha Epsilon president, Kaylee Brewster, senior criminal justice major, spoke about the event’s goal of reducing understaffing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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“We pride ourselves not only for our members but for all students, and in creating opportunities,” Brewster said. “This event really allows them to make professional connections that can aid their future careers.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Brewster said she hopes students walk away with the same\u00a0clarity and motivation she feels every year, and that they are more excited about their careers ahead of them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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This event is also put on to help educate students about careers in criminal justice, such as\u00a0police officer or\u00a0FBI agent roles, and about the hiring process.<\/p>\n
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Tanner Smith, junior criminal justice major,\u00a0who attended\u00a0the event for the first time, said he was excited to learn more about criminal justice and the opportunities the event offered.<\/p>\n
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“My understanding of the criminal justice world was limited because I didn’t have anybody to\u00a0talk to about that kind of stuff, and I didn’t do as much research on my own time as I probably could have,”\u00a0Smith said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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While students were excited to learn and make connections with this event, freshman criminal\u00a0justice major Camden Robinett was mainly excited\u00a0to address the understaffing in the criminal justice field.<\/p>\n
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\u201cConsidering it\u2019s such an important field and line of work for people to get the help they need or justice to be brought upon those who need it, I definitely want to do my part in helping to undo the effects of the shortage,” Robinett said.<\/p>\n
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Rick DeMarco, an Orange County Sheriff\u2019s Office military field recruiter,\u00a0said he was especially\u00a0proud to see the next generation stepping into the field, as he prepared to retire in six days.<\/p>\n
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“There\u2019s so many people who want to be a police officer, deputy willing to risk their\u00a0life, potentially or get injured over a perfect stranger they don\u2019t even\u00a0know,” DeMarco said, “I see all these people that are just as excited about\u00a0their\u00a0country, just as excited about\u00a0their\u00a0community, just as excited about\u00a0their\u00a0 future as I\u00a0was.”<\/p>\n