Though Rosa Figueroa may not have starred in a hit television series, she has had the opportunity to go from CSI to Law and Order while studying at Humber.
After high school, Rosa enrolled in Humber’s Police Foundations program. Upon completing her diploma, she used her credits towards entry into the second year of the four-year Bachelor of Applied Arts - Criminal Justice.
“I’ve wanted a career in law enforcement since high school. It was an easy decision to apply to the Criminal Justice program after graduating from Police Foundations because I wanted to learn more and get more experience. I felt that getting a degree would open more doors for me, and I knew I’d get the education I was looking for at Humber,” said the 22 year-old Mississauga resident.
Rosa’s interest and understanding of the Criminal Justice system increased significantly during her two programs. She especially enjoyed the learning experience during her field placement.
“My internship was at the Kingston Penitentiary. Interacting with inmates was definitely important for my overall learning, and a great experience. After my placement at Kingston Penn I knew I had selected the right field. The placement gave me hands-on training and a glimpse into what my future as an institutional parole officer would look like," she says.
Now in her last year of the Criminal Justice program, Rosa reflects on her time at Humber, and how the pathway from Police Foundations to Criminal Justice prepared her for her career.
“Going from the diploma to the degree was a natural progression. I just kept learning skills that were relevant to the field," she says. "It also helped that my professors have worked in the field. They taught us from experience and gave each student the chance to learn on an individual level. Most of all, their teaching has given me the confidence to know that I’m ready to make a difference in someone’s life and hopefully inspire change where it’s needed.”
