Alexia Desir ’21 worked for Children’s Services in community services before landing her current position as an investigator for the Child Support Enforcement Team of Rockland County, New York’s Department of Social Service, where her responsibilities include investigating absent parents with court-ordered child support obligations and enforcing them.
A criminal justice major with minors in digital media and journalism and sociology, Desir says the criminal justice program can be applied to so many different career paths. “Internships are your best friends, “she says. “They give you a real-world experience of what your career could be. You can learn what you like and dislike early on and narrow down your job search.”
As an undergraduate, Desir had the opportunity to apply her criminal justice knowledge and her love for digital media by completing an internship for Fostering the Community, a nonprofit organization dedicated to recruiting foster parents and promoting the current well-being and future security of children in the Connecticut foster care system.
Desir says Criminal Justice Associate Professor Kelly McGeever has had a lasting influence on her career and provided her with so much guidance and encouragement. “I had taken several of her classes and could tell she is very passionate about her work,” says Desir. “Even when I was no longer her student, she still answered my questions and went the extra mile to make sure I had the tools I needed to be successful at the University of Hartford.”
Outside of classes, Desir was heavily involved with multicultural organizations on campus including the step team, the African dance team, and the Fenomena hip hop dance team. She was also involved with the Haitian Culture Association E-Board and attended weekly club meetings for Brothers and Sisters United, African Student Union, and Strong Independent Sisters.
Desir advises current criminal justice students to find what they are most passionate about. “Trust your professors and ask lots of questions, “she says. “There are many resources available to aid you on your journey.”
Alexia Desir '21, College of Arts and SciencesInternships are your best friends. They give you a real-world experience of what your career could be. You can learn what you like and dislike early on and narrow down your job search.