Brandon, Criminal Justice ’26

Brandon

Major

Criminal Justice with a minor in Environmental Studies

2025 Summer Internship

Campus Safety Ambassador at ISU Police Department

How did you find out about the internship? What did the process look like from applying, interviewing, etc.? 

“I first found out about the CSA internship through the career fair during the fall of 2025 and then applied through CyHire in the spring of 2025. After applying, I received an interview and was interviewed by the ISU PD Lieutenant along with three coordinators. After the interview was completed and I was hired, I went in for fingerprinting and trained for 2 weeks to learn the basic tasks of a CSA.”

What advice do you have for fellow students regarding internship/job searches?

“Advice I have for students searching for internships is to start looking early. I would also recommend attending career fairs every year, even as a freshman. Talking to employers even as a freshman helps build confidence and become more comfortable when looking for a job. My last piece of advice would be to ask follow up questions after the interview. This can help set you apart from other applicants.”

Did you enroll in an internship for credit course? If so, what was the project and what did you gain by completing the internship? 

“Yes. I enrolled in the internship for credit because an internship is required for all Criminal Justice students to graduate. It also gave me experience for my future career. My favorite part about the internship was going on ride-alongs with ISU PD officers. I also met with other ISU staff to learn about dispatch, TAM team, mental health, investigations, event management, records, and risk management. By completing this internship I gained the experience to work in a law enforcement environment.”

What advice do you have for students seeking work experience in their field of study?

“My advice for students seeking work experience in their field is to take full advantage of the resources Iowa State offers. Iowa State provides countless opportunities to build connections that can be valuable for future careers. Personally, attending career fairs, meeting with my advisor, and preparing a strong resume have all helped me feel more confident and prepared for my future. Lastly, I would recommend looking for internships that align with your long-term goals.”

Did you attend any ISU Career Fairs? If yes, which fairs did you attend? How did you prepare to speak with employers? 

“I have attended the People to People career fair the past 3 years I have been in college. Each time I went I became more confident and prepared speaking with employers. Over time I believe it helped strengthen my communication skills which are important in criminal justice.”

Have you taken or are you currently enrolled in LAS 2030, the LAS Professional Career Preparation Course? If yes, how did this course help you?

“Yes, this course was very helpful in preparing me for future job applications. Throughout the course I learned how to build a strong resume and a cover letter. I also was able to create a LinkedIn profile, and practice interview techniques which are all necessary during the job application process.”

Have you used any resources provided by LAS Career Services? How was this service helpful?

“One LAS Career Service resource I used was CyHire which is where I applied for the CSA position. Another resource I have used is advising appointments.These have been extremely helpful as they have helped me make sure I stay on track to meet my graduation requirements.“