Husson’s Legal Studies Students Met With 75 Law Enforcement Agencies and Legal Organizations on Wednesday

Published on: October 9, 2024

Husson University’s School of Legal Studies held its 15th Annual Legal Studies Career Fair in the Newman Gymnasium on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, drawing 75 different law enforcement agencies and legal organizations from all over Maine and parts of New England to meet with Husson students and others from local technical school students.

The event provides students with an opportunity to meet with a variety of legal professionals from organizations including the Secret Service, police departments, the National Parks Service, the Transportation Safety Administration and more. The newest addition to the career fair has been law firms. 

“My students have such diverse interests. We’ve invited people we’ve never had before,” said John Michaud, director of the School of Legal Studies. 

Representatives from first-time participant Drummond Woodsen, a Portland law firm, weren't sure what to expect, especially since they were one of three law firms at the career fair.

“To me, from the recruitment standpoint, this is a wonderful untapped market,” said Tynan Lawrence, manager of recruitment and training for Drummond Woodsen.

Lawrence said she met a lot of students that were interested in both law enforcement and the legal field, struggling with what path to follow.

“What better way to get a sense of how to apply the law than to learn it,” said Lawrence.

Michaud started the career fair 15 years ago as a way to help students hone their interests in legal and law enforcement fields. These days, it’s a must-attend for students in the School of Legal Studies at every level.

“Freshmans and sophomores should focus on talking to everyone, by the time they’re juniors they should know whether they want to go state, local, or law school. By the time they’re seniors they should be walking around with resumes,” Michaud said.

After 15 years, the event is also drawing law enforcement professionals who graduated from Husson. Augusta Police Department Patrol Sergeant Desmond Nutter is a 2014 Husson graduate who earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He learned from Michaud as a student and wanted to give back as an alumni by returning to speak to current students.

For some criminal justice students the military is the first step after college. Sage Cole, junior in criminal justice, wants to pursue a career in CSI Detective work but is keeping an open mind on how to get there.

“I have to be realistic. I won’t be a detective right off the bat. I have to put in the work,” said Cole.

Third-year criminal justice student Angelena Curcuru helped organize the 2024 career fair with the idea that most students aren’t sure which field to pursue.

“I hope a lot of students fully immerse themselves in the experience of what it’s like to be a part of the criminal justice system, with so many vendors it shows there isn’t just one route to take,” said Curcuru.

— Allison Yost