Criminal Justice Alum Found Her Dream Career Through Leadership and Internship
Kayla Elliott ’21 credits her success as a U.S. Probation Officer to the strong connections built with professors and invaluable experiences gained through her undergraduate involvement at RWU.
BRISTOL, R.I. – Kayla Elliott ’21 has always been driven by a passion for listening to others and making a difference in their lives. Today, that drive has led her to her dream role as a U.S. Probation Officer, a position she’s aspired to since childhood.
During her time at Roger Williams University, Elliott honed the skills that would shape her career. As a student in the Criminal Justice 4+1 program, she balanced her academic work with valuable hands-on experience at the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD). Elliott credits the connections formed with the CCPD in helping her find internships that ultimately paved the way for her first job after graduation.
A native of East Bridgewater, Mass., Elliott gained confidence and balance through her time at RWU, learning how to navigate a range of communication styles and handle challenging situations. Today, with a master’s degree and a successful career in federal probation, she looks back on her experiences at RWU with gratitude for the foundation they provided in her journey toward success.
Experiential Learning Opportunities: “My first internship at Brockton District Court in Massachusetts exposed me to the courtroom and what it entailed. I saw that the court was more in-depth than what I originally thought and that pushed me into looking at the court system as a possible job opportunity. With the help of my advisor, I was then able to apply what I learned at Brockton to an internship with the U.S. Probation & Parole Office in Providence, which opened up a lot of doors for me. All of these experiences helped me learn to search for people who are willing to support you and educate you.”
Earned Scholarships: “The Presidential Scholarship at RWU helped me be able to attend college, and it was something I was proud to accomplish. My parents always said, ‘As long as you put your best foot forward, we will always be proud of you,’ but I think they were excited and proud to be able to say that their child was able to not only obtain that scholarship but hold onto it. I come from a large military family as well. I have aunts, uncles, and cousins who all served, but my mom also served, which allowed me to apply for the veteran-based Heidrea for Heroes Legacy Scholarship. It was really cool to be able to share that kind of achievement with my family, especially my mom who I’m very close with.”
Forming a Community on Campus: “I served as Vice President of the John Jay Society and Chair of the Campus Entertainment Network’s Where’s the Fun Committee. I learned organization and planning from these experiences and it refined my leadership and communication skills, particularly in high-stress situations with people from diverse backgrounds. My time in John Jay was especially influential in shaping my interests in the criminal justice system, especially veterans’ issues and the opioid epidemic. In John Jay, I organized events, which included bringing Narcan to campus and collaborating with professors and committees. These communities nurtured both my professional skills and personal interests, including introducing me to my best friends, and despite having different majors, we connected and supported each other. They’re even attending my wedding next year.”
Long-lasting Mentorship: “I had two mentors on campus who nurtured my time on campus and provided me valuable advice. My advisor, Professor Jeffery Jenkins, was always willing to talk out different career paths with me. I gave him so many different ideas on what I wanted to do, and he helped me not only obtain my undergraduate degree but go abroad and enroll in the Criminal Justice 4+1 program.
Professor of Justice Studies Sean Verano helped me implement the Narcan project, an initiative that was a passion of mine. It was a great way for me to collaborate with a professor who did a lot of research and build on our passion while building my resume. I never walked out of his classes without learning something.
Both of them always cared about my personal life, making sure I balanced my studies with my personal goals and even provided references for me, which led to my success.”