Graduate Student Sees a Wealth of Possibilities with Homeland Security Major

“I wanted a degree program that was versatile and emerging that offered different opportunities,” he explained. “That was something I wanted out of my major—and I really got the most out of it.”

A native of Bayside, NY, Michael came to St. John’s seeking a “true college experience.” “I know that’s something many people say when going to college, but I was looking at city universities, state universities, and private schools, and St. John’s had what I wanted,” he said. “What stood out was that it has a campus, but is still close to the city.”

He added, “All the resources St. John’s offers also really appealed to me. Everything from Career Services, Student Life, tutoring, and New Student Orientation—where we stayed overnight and got a real feel for the campus— made me feel at home.”

Initially, Michael commuted to St. John’s, but he became a Resident Assistant during his sophomore year, which continued throughout his senior year. “That gave me a broader understanding of the students we serve at St. John’s and what the student population looks like,” he said. “That was really great.”

As a high school senior, Michael visited the Cyber Security and Homeland Security Simulation Labs in the The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies (CCPS) and was immediately intrigued. However, he also felt a pull toward a career in television and film after listening to a St. John’s student describe an internship she had at The View.

“I took an introduction to homeland security course as an elective and learned a great deal about the major,” he recalled. “That was my first real exposure to the field, and the professor opened my eyes to the possibilities. When you hear homeland security, you think about government or law enforcement jobs, but there are a myriad of private sector opportunities as well.”

Michael added, “You could do corporate security for a law firm or be an emergency manager for a hospital. You can go into government, finance, entertainment, or transportation. Maybe I don’t want to be a police officer or an FBI agent. The opportunities are endless in that sense. That’s really what made me declare the major.” He also sees great potential for combining his passion for the entertainment industry with homeland security.

Once he decided on homeland security, Michael took it a step further by applying to the CCPS Fast Track B.S. in Homeland Security/M.P.S. in Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Leadership program, in which eligible undergraduates can take 12–15 graduate credits—depending on their major—that count toward both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

“This was the most sustainable way for me to earn a master’s in terms of time and finances,” he explained. “But, more importantly, I hope to lead a program for emerging professionals someday, and for that you must have an advanced degree.”

Michael is currently completing his third internship. Each has given him a different perspective on the field, which will factor into his ultimate destination. 

His first internship was with the international law firm Proskauer Rose LLP, which has a dedicated crisis management practice. “My title was emergency management and business continuity intern,” he explained. “Our team was responsible for managing any crisis and evaluating any risks involved.” Michael strongly believes that the critical skills he developed there are easily transferable to almost any industry.

Michael’s next opportunity came in the public sector with the New York City Department of Correction. “They oversee the New York City jail system, and like the law firm, I was involved in emergency activation planning,” he said. “I really enjoyed the public sector experience.”

Currently, Michael is interning with the New York City Police Department. “What I’m doing here entails researching and briefing on emerging threats in New York City, learning how to report on them, and then turning that report into an analytical product to be evaluated by the agency.” Eventually, Michael hopes to lead an emergency management program at a local government agency on the federal level or in the private sector. 

He is grateful for the many opportunities he received at St. John’s and enjoys giving back. “When I was a resident assistant, a student came to me for advice on whether he should major in homeland security or criminal justice, and it felt like my freshman self was standing before me.”

He added, “Being able to give him the benefit of my experience and everything that I’ve learned was so fulfilling. It’s something that I can see myself doing more in the future as a leader. There are so many resources offered at St. John’s that students should get involved in as early as their first year. I still have much to learn, but I am much more seasoned now. All these experiences have only increased my confidence that I made the right choice by pursuing a homeland security career.”