To: A. Cohen From: Kendall Jimenez Subject: Progress Report
Below, I will discuss the status of my progress with my inquiry into Criminal Justice disciplinarily project.
Introduction In this project, my main objective is gaining the proper knowledge and insight into the Criminal Justice discipline. I will be investigating significant factors that follow graduation such as adequate experience that can impart me into government agencies such as the FBI. Also, I am interested in gaining information regarding internships and other programs that can grant me the proper connections to individuals already thriving in this field.
Research Methods My research methods include an interview with a woman with experience in this discourse community, surveying UTEP students and employees associated with this discipline, site observations that are and will be relevant to this discipline, and document analyses.
Interview My interview will consist of general and specific questions that will be presented to a government agent who is currently employed as a Drug Enforcement Administration agent of the United States. Presently, our interview is scheduled for November 2, 2014 at the time and location most convenient for the interviewee. The reason I chose this individual is primarily because of her experience in a government agency as well as the fact that she is a female in a male-dominated field. I expect to receive her insight and advice regarding my direction of focus when planning my life after completing my undergraduate education. This is the essential method I will be depending on in this inquiry in that it is gaining perception from a credible individual that can guide my progression following the achievement of obtaining my undergraduate degree.
Surveys My survey will take place at the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at El Paso. The directed volunteers will be individuals associated with the criminal justice program at UTEP. These questions will be less specific as I am only interested in the responses that are relevant to the survey questions presented. Thoughts on gender equality and suggested internship programs will be my main focus as many of the expected volunteers will be students like myself.
Site Observations My site observations are fitting to the Criminal Justice discipline as an entirety. I observed the El Paso Police Department, the Courthouse, and a Criminal Justice classroom at the University of Texas at El Paso. Although the Police Department was relevant in that it is the goal that most of my classmates majoring in criminal justice aspire to, I did not find it relative to my specific goals. Also the courthouse was also not as relevant to my major as I do not strive to be a practicing attorney or judge. However, the criminal justice class that I observed correlated to my current standing as a student striving to be a member of this discipline in which my professor is already a member of.
Document Analyses My document analyses were entirely based off of the University of Texas at El Paso website, specifically in the Liberal Arts/ Criminal Justice section. I was pleased to observe the simplicity of the documents displayed in addition to the feature of a woman in this discipline. Being a female in the criminal justice discipline did make me question my applicability in this discipline but as UTEP made clear, women are appreciated and recognized in this field.
Conclusion After completing most of the tasks at hand for this project aside from the survey and interview, I feel prepared and well established in writing a substantial essay regarding the criminal justice discipline and how it pertains to my general being. My only concerns at this point lays in the general survey to be presented to students, as I am not positive that the number of volunteers I anticipated will participate. However, I feel that the interview I prepared will be extremely informational and help me to better plan my future. This project has allowed me to think about factors that I would have not normally found to be of importance. I feel extremely prepared for my future as an undergraduate student and successful member of society in the discipline of Criminal Justice.