Why FSU?

Upon leaving the Army, FSU was presented to me as a great university with one of the country's top Veterans Affairs offices in the Student Veteran Center. Further research also provided me with the perfect graduate program for my background. With my undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and having served as an Intelligence Analyst in the military, Law Enforcement Intelligence just fit perfectly.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

I served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, and something that is constantly taught is that there are only great things to those who challenge themselves—not only physically, but mentally as well. So pursuing a graduate degree was a no-brainer. I'm just extremely fortunate I found a place to pursue that challenge with Florida State.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

Though my research/work is limited to the classroom and textbooks, the information learned is crucial for the next step in my aspirations and future career field. Further understanding intelligence and the functionality of the work that goes into that field better prepares us for potential threats or disasters.

Describe an aspect of your military service that is especially memorable or exceptional

Every interaction I had with my fellow soldiers, from training exercises sweating through several shirts, to sitting in a staging area getting ready to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Each interaction I had was especially memorable and always exceptional.

Tell us how your military service provided skills and experiences that you were able to apply to your graduate studies.

Serving as an intelligence analyst, I felt like I had a "foot in the door" when I started my degree. I already knew a lot of what was being asked of me as far as assignments and papers, but there was also a great amount of learning. However, the most important things that I got to apply to graduate school that I learned from the military were self-discipline and time management. You have to schedule it all out in order to be successful in both aspects.

Career aspirations

With my degree, I aspire to join a federal agency to continue with the same type of service I started upon joining the military. My primary goal is to be in the Federal Bureau of Investigations like many of my professors were.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Just do it (sorry, Nike). But really, gaining the knowledge and experience that you do in graduate school will open so many more opportunities. Your mind is your greatest tool.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I was able to finish my first semester of graduate school with a 3.8 GPA while working a full-time job.