Career Connection Events in Sociology & Criminology

Career Workshops on resume building and interview techniques are offered in partnership with the Career Development Center.

Municipal & Federal Law Enforcement panel discussion.  Given the high number of departmental students interested in careers in law enforcement, we offer a discussion with a panel of law enforcement professionals each year—alternating between municipal and federal.  Many students follow up these initial contacts by becoming cadets with these organizations or applying to complete internships with them. 

Hosted in each Fall term since 2021. At this event, representatives from Nonprofit organizations will be there to talk with students about the work they do.  They will be looking for volunteers, interns, and potential part-time employees.

Non-profit organizations that have attended previously:

• BRASS (Victim Advocacy)
• Family Enrichment Center (Family empowerment/Prevention of child abuse, Court Work)
• Legal Aid (Court Work)
• Bowling Green Freedom Walkers (Social Justice Advocacy)
• Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (Social Justice Advocacy)
• Lifeskills (Social and Behavioral Health Services)
• BRADD (General Social & Human Services)
• BRACAC (Family empowerment/Prevention of child abuse)
• Boys & Girls Club (Family empowerment/Prevention of child abuse)
• Community Education (General Social and Human Services)
• South Central Area Health Education Center (Health Careers and Education)
• For a Real Change (Youth Mentorship)
• International Center of Kentucky (Refugee Resettlement)
• Hope Harbor (Victim Advocacy)

Women in Social Sciences and Justice Professions - Hosted Nov, 2019.  This event brought 24 women working in Victim Advocacy, Law Enforcement, the Court System, Corrections, Juvenile Justice, and organizations assisting fragile families.  These professionals provided career advice to over 60 students in a networking style event.

This event is unique, as it represents a collaboration between 6 of WKU’s social science departments. 

• Sociology & Criminology
• Social Work
• Psychological Sciences
• Psychology
• Anthropology & Folk Studies
• Public Health
• Gender & Women Studies

Alumnae are invited to share their professional story, emphasizing the links between their professional career paths and their studies in social science at WKU.  Once all alumnae have shared their story, they will join students for round table discussions.

Victim Advocates Panel Discussion - In the Spring of 2019, Victim Advocates came to speak with students, also through a panel-style discussion.  Representatives from the Barren River Area Safe Space, Hope Harbor, Bowling Green Police Department, and Lifeskills took questions from the audience after telling the story of their organization’s involvement with Victim Advocacy.

Case Managers Panel Discussion - In the spring of 2018, students had the opportunity to hear about the diversity of jobs involving case management.  Representatives from non-profit organizations serving fragile families, our local mental and behavioral health organization Lifeskills, Court Designated Workers within the Juvenile Justice System, and officers with Probation and Parole.

Re-entry Professionals Panel Discussion - In the fall of 2018, students had the opportunity to engage with experts from a variety of career fields which work with offenders re-entering the community after a period of institutionalization.  Speakers from the Warren County Jail, Probation & Parole, and Lifeskills explained their role in the process and the resources they provide.

10 Years Beyond the Hill - Hosted in Fall 2023 semester, WKU students and faculty meet with four alumni from the sociology and criminology department. The event is for students to hear from professionals about where they are now, the careerpaths they have chosen and their insights in the years since studying at WKU. 

Black Alumni Panel Discussion - Hosted in Spring 2024 semester, students meet with alumni for a Q&A about navigating their careers as an Under Represented Minority.