Criminal Justice System Paper

The most recent academic challenge I have faced was getting employment with the

Nevada Correctional Facility.

Even though I had worked for this facility in the past, I was required to take all the tests as a new employee. The academic portion of the testing was not that difficult. Over the years, my experience with this facility as well as the one I was employed by in New Mexico, I felt, gave me an edge since the terminology used was something I was familiar with. The physical agility was quite a challenge for me. The last time I had to do any form of calesenthics I was younger and much fit. Pushups, sprints, etc. had been quite an easy task; however, past the age of forty, which I am now, the mind was willing, the body was not. The worst part of the testing was the running in the time allotted. I felt like my body was going to give out. I was determined to pass the physical agility and so I began to run, on my own time, day after day, before the scheduled date for the exam.

Needless to say, my determination paid off. I completed my run in less time than was required. Seeing, what I considered to be young, agile men running made me that much more determined that this old man still had it in him to accomplish what he set out to do.

The most difficult challenge I have faced was my recent decision to return back to school to pursue my degree. Considering that I have been absent from a formal classroom for more than twenty years, I had to come to the realization that my years of discipline on the job and my determination to complete whatever task I set my mind to do, would give me the initiative that I needed to accept this challenge and overcome any weakness I felt I had. For instance, when you've been out of the classroom for the length of period I have, study habits have to be worked on and reestablished. Working full time and going to school, I knew was going to be difficult. Added to these, the fact that I still have to make time for spending quality time with my wife was still another factor. My wife has been so supportive of whatever I decide to do that I can only count my blessings, they say that behind every successful man is a good women and in my case this is definitely the case. Because of her and her support both on the home front and the academic front, I have not only been able to juggle my school and work schedule, but I have been able to do so and maintain a GPA of over 3.5.

It is my strong hope and desire to acquire my Bachelors Degree and then to apply to Law School. It has been a long time dream of mine to become an Attorney and have a practice in the field of Criminal and Family law. I hope to one day be in a position to help people whom are less fortunate than me especially those who minorities are trying to make a life for themselves or former offenders seeking