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View from the Hill
Experiential Education at UNH:
When the World is Your Classroom
The University of New Haven is taking the classroom out of the building, and the students into the field. UNH students are availing themselves of internships, research opportunities, and community service that bring them into contact with scientists, businesspeople, professional engineers, authors and more. Experience combined with education—aka experiential education—is moving UNH students into the future equipped to succeed.
Jeremiah Gagnon ‘08
Internship, Work-Study Connection Support Student’s Belief that Police Work is His Future
Jeremiah Gagnon ’08 Criminal Justice, has long known that he wanted to be a detective when he graduated from college. To get there, though, he would have to start out as a patrol officer. That part didn’t appeal to him.
But this past summer spent as an intern at the Manchester Police Department changed Gagnon’s mind considerably. “Patrol was much more exciting once I drove around with the officers,” he said. He helped residents set up block watches, worked with the detective bureau on investigations, viewed how polygraph tests were done, and worked DUI checkpoints. One day, he trained with officers throughout the region who are part of canine units.
The internship also gave him connections. He worked closely with one officer in particular, and feels confident she would give him a strong reference once he begins the job application process.
His summer internship, combined with four years of a work-study job at the University Police Department, has cemented his belief that he wants to be a police officer. “The internships are great because if you’re a little unsure about what you want to do, they give you the experience that lets you decide. I wasn’t unsure, but now I’m for sure. I definitely want to go into this line of work.”
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