Why FSU?

I decided to pursue graduate school in the U.S., and more specifically at FSU, primarily because of the scholarly excellence that was evident here in criminology and criminal justice. I have always been fascinated with crime and understanding why people engage in criminal behaviors, so the ability to work alongside and produce research with some of the top criminologists across the globe was very appealing to me.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

Honestly, when I first began college, graduate school was not on my radar. However, the more exposure I got to the discipline, the more curious I became, and I began formulating research questions. I knew that research could answer these questions, but to produce effective research, I needed a particular set of skills—skills that required an advanced degree. It was then that I decided to apply to graduate school and pursue my master’s and doctoral degrees.

Importance and impact of research

My primary focus is on juvenile justice and offending. I believe that understanding what the factors are that contribute to youth offending is of the utmost importance when we are trying to eliminate and reduce the likelihood of those exact behaviors. If we can prevent or reduce offending behaviors while people are still young and malleable, then we have a better chance of reducing crime rates in the long run.

Career aspirations

I want to be a college professor, which involves teaching and continuing to conduct research. Educating others on and researching topics that I am so fond of so much sounds like a dream.

Advice for prospective graduate students

Graduate school is one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences I have ever had. Make sure that it is something you want. Light a fire inside of yourself, and be fully committed to accomplish your goals. Your hard work will pay off.