Colorado Tech Online Students and Alumni
Meet David Sells
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
After 12 years of working various positions at nightclubs, David Sells wanted a change of pace. "I wanted new direction in my life. I wanted to find something that would give me a foundation to build on professionally, in a field that offers more opportunities and that would enable me to work a schedule that would allow me to spend more time with my family. I knew that the best way to achieve that would be to continue my education. I was hesitant at first, however, because I believed that adding a class schedule to my already busy work schedule would take even more of my time away from my family."
The solution for David was online learning through Colorado Tech Online. "I looked into several online universities and I was most impressed by Colorado Tech Online. I had a great experience working with the Admissions Advisors. Everyone I spoke with was personable, knowledgeable and professional. All my questions were promptly answered and I feel I was steered in the right direction, which made enrolling very easy for me."
David enrolled in the Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice degree program. "My father has worked in criminal justice for many years and I did not necessarily want to follow in his footsteps. But after I spoke with advisors and looked into the curriculum in the criminal justice program through Colorado Tech Online, I realized the criminal justice field has a very broad scope that can apply to many professions."
David's enthusiasm for learning flourished with his experiences through the Virtual Campus with Colorado Tech Online. "Once I started my courses, I found the interaction with my peers and instructors incredibly beneficial both educationally and professionally. I was immersed with people who have educational, professional and personal experience in various criminal justice positions. That interaction made me more enthused about criminal justice than I ever thought I would be. It is almost as if I became a sponge for information. I engulfed myself in learning, soaking anything and everything I could find. My educational experience continued to improve as I became more adept at using the wealth of resources offered through the Virtual Campus. Within a few months, I found the new direction that I was looking for."
Although David's immediate career goal is to obtain a position as a crime scene technician, earning a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice through Colorado Tech Online has given him more interests and career options than he thought would be possible. "My educational experience through Colorado Tech Online has given me more interest in, and a much better understanding of, the criminal justice profession. I discovered that a degree in criminal justice can be applied to everything from security at nightclubs to teaching. I decided to continue bartending for now because I took on additional responsibilities in security and loss prevention at the club I have developed a deep interest in studying the psychology of criminal behavior. I also want to apply my research and experience to teaching at a university level. None of that would have possible before I earned my bachelor's degree through Colorado Tech Online. Now these goals are well within my reach."
Although David has yet to make his career move, he feels earning a degree through Colorado Tech Online has significantly changed his personal life. "My instructors at Colorado Tech Online have set a good example for me by showing me that practical experience in the criminal justice field can be combined with teaching. I had an instructor that is a member of a SWAT team and I realized that simultaneously teaching and working a position in criminal justice is possible. I have made many new contacts in the criminal justice field and have learned a lot from the experiences of others. I have more confidence and a better sense of self-esteem. I also feel I am leading my children through their education by setting a good example. The behavioral concepts I learned through my courses with Colorado Tech Online have helped me understand people a lot better and that applies to everything I do. Simply put, thanks to Colorado Tech Online, I went from feeling I was stuck behind a bar to knowing that my potential is almost limitless. And that's a great feeling!"
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