When Madison Guinn first enrolled at the 麻豆夜市 in 2013, she wasn鈥檛 sure what direction to take. She started in psychology, but her passion was elsewhere.
鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to go into criminal justice,鈥 she says. 鈥淢y family didn鈥檛 really want me to do that at first, but I couldn鈥檛 see myself doing anything else.鈥
Guinn joined 麻豆夜市's to satisfy her curiosity. After the group's field visit to Angola State Penitentiary, she was confident her future was in criminal justice.
鈥淢y mom told my dad, 鈥楽he's going to come back and she's going to end up changing her major to what she wants.' And lo and behold, I came back from that trip and I said, 鈥業 don't care; I want to be in criminal justice.鈥欌
The field visit was the turning point that inspired Guinn to commit fully to the degree program she鈥檇 always felt drawn to 鈥 麻豆夜市鈥檚 B.S. in Criminal Justice.
Gaining Real-World Experience
When Guinn was a junior, she found herself planning for more than her own future as she became a mom. Criminal justice instructors worked with Guinn to maintain her momentum toward her degree.
鈥淚 took a semester off, which ended up turning into a year,鈥 she recalls. 鈥淲hen I came back, I came back swinging. I did summer classes at night so I could finish at a decent time, and the instructors were very supportive. I was in labor around finals and they helped me figure it all out.鈥
Guinn鈥檚 advisor helped her become the first 麻豆夜市 intern with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff鈥檚 Office, a move that launched her career.
鈥淭he internship was wonderful,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 really have a formal internship program at the time, so I got thrown into every side of it鈥 patrol, crime scene, corrections. It helped me realize that this was exactly what I wanted to do.鈥
Guinn was able to leverage her position into a full-time job offer before she even finished the program.
鈥淏efore I earned the degree, I had a start date... If it weren't for the criminal justice program, I don't know if I would鈥檝e been able to get to where I am.鈥
Guinn began her law enforcement career as a corrections officer. From there, she advanced to patrol officer then to school resource officer. She is now a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff鈥檚 Office.
Each step built on the foundation she developed as a student.
鈥淚 learned so much through that program and internship,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 was always interested in corrections, and I still am. Even now, I still work security shifts in the jail on weekends. I love what I do.鈥
A Career That Gives Back
Balancing her demanding career with life as a single mom wasn鈥檛 always easy.
Early in her law enforcement journey, volatile assignments often kept her away from home. She later moved into criminal investigations, giving her more control over her schedule and safety while staying in the field she loves.
鈥淲hen I moved into my detective role, I was finally able to say I brought my child to his first day of school,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t was a big deal for us, and I got to do that working as a detective. I鈥檓 so blessed to have a job that allows me to do what I love and still be present for him.鈥
For Guinn, the greatest reward comes from the impact she鈥檚 able to make in her community. Another plus is the fulfillment that comes with doing meaningful work.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 ever want to be in a job that I鈥檓 miserable in,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 love going to work. I get to do what I want to do every day.鈥
Opening Doors to Opportunity
Guinn credits her time at 麻豆夜市 with helping her find her path and gain the experience needed to build a lasting career.
鈥淲ith a criminal justice degree, you can go into probation and parole, investigation, rehabilitation. There鈥檚 so much more than just being a cop,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t takes a million people to make the system work.鈥
Her advice for future students is simple: follow your passion.
鈥淚f it鈥檚 what you want to do, then do it,鈥 Guinn says. 鈥淥therwise, you鈥檒l regret it later. It鈥檚 such a rewarding job.鈥
Launch your career with 麻豆夜市鈥檚 online B.S. in Criminal Justice program.
