04 Feb 10 StudentScholarships.org - A Degree in Criminal Justice

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, my personal and career goals have changed. After being in the financial industry for so many years, I decided that is was time to give back to the country that has given my family and I the opportunity to be successful. I wanted to do something that made a difference to the country and to the people, something that would enable me to contribute in protecting our homeland. My dedication and respect to this nation made me change my career field to serve my country, to do something that made a difference, to touch peoples lives. I looked into the Coast Guard who at the time was still part of the Department of Transportation and whose many focus was the homeland. I joined the Coast Guard and graduated boot camp as the first graduating class under the Department of Homeland Security.

I joined the Coast Guard to serve an organization whose main focus is to save lives and protect our shores. Leadership skills, strong character, problem-solving skills, and ability to perform well under extreme stress are abilities that I have developed through working in highly stressful environments. These are characteristics that cannot be taught, they develop with time, knowledge and patience. Working in the New York Board of Trade and subsequently at Morgan Stanley has allowed me to develop procedures, supervise teams, manage tasks and strengthen people skills. And wearing this uniform had giving me the opportunity to be proud of what I do, that it is not just a job, it's a way of living.

After being in the Coast Guard a little over a year I went back to school, through off-duty study. I am pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Intelligence. I study the issues that challenge intelligence professionals and learn how each issue fits into larger national intelligence strategies. This study will enable me to contribute and interact with the growing relationships that the Coast Guard has established within the national intelligence community, and the missions that the Coast Guard is tasked within the Department of Homeland Security. I would intend to pursue further intelligence training and postgraduate study opportunities in the intelligence field that is offered to junior officers in the Coast Guard.

I changed my life around and now I am happier that ever. I have given so much and in return have gained the respect and support of my family and peers. I have fulfilled my dream, I feel complete. Now I can proudly say 'I am proud to be an American, the land of the free and the home of the brave.'