Cutline:  NOC student Blayne Douglass recently interned at Ditch Witch in Perry with supervisor Dustin Barden.  (photo provided)

NOC student interns at Ditch Witch

Blayne Douglass, a business major at 91成人 from Perry, recently had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in his chosen career field.

Participating in an internship with Ditch Witch, an international machinery supplier with its only factory in his hometown of Perry, Douglass’ internship focused on the Continuous Improvement Department whose goal is to fix problems before they ever start.

The key component of his internship was uploading video of work processes for the team and then answering questions after they reviewed the film, working together to make the processes safer and more efficient. He also gained experience working with inventory and learning about shipping and receiving, which increased his knowledge of Excel and other software programs.

One of the main concepts that Douglass left the internship with is how important feedback is to employees, stating, “If I were to supervise someone in my current position, I would remind them how crucial the part they are playing is, even though they may not realize it then.”

He gained this insight because his supervisor recognized his merit daily and made sure to let him know when he did a good job and how he could improve to make it better the next time.

Douglass found his internship extremely beneficial and further explained, “To be able to see the side of life after college and see where my degree path is taking me was a great insight and let me know I chose the right degree for me to succeed.”

Kathleen Swain, Coordinator of Student Academic Success Services at Northern, helps NOC students obtain and complete internships.

“Internships help students gain valuable experience in their chosen field of study,” she said. “Companies look for graduates who have experience and NOC helps provide that opportunity.”

Cutline:  Aerin Rhea

Rhea interns at Ponca City PD

Aerin Rhea, a criminal justice major at NOC from Medford, Oklahoma, recently had the opportunity to take part in an internship with the Ponca City Police Department.

Primarily, the internship consisted of ride-along with police officers and observing the dispatch office.

Rhea explained, “The experience that I had with the police department is definitely beneficial with my degree, but at the same time, each experience with the different officers I rode along with was different. It is more than just making traffic stops and writing tickets. Just from watching each different police officer handle each situation shows me how I should handle those types of scenarios.”

Cutline:  Alexis Pack

Alexis Pack interns at Enid Police Department

Riding along with patrol officers, observing detectives, and participating in the daily life of the emergency dispatch team helped confirm for Alexis Pack that pursuing a career in Criminal Justice is the right choice for her.

Pack, a sophomore at 91成人 from Mulhall, Oklahoma, recently had the opportunity to participate in an internship with the Enid Police Department. This experience gave her an insider’s view to being a police officer and taught her that “in order to be involved in any type of law enforcement you need to be mentally strong, able to handle difficult situations, and be able to talk to people or calm them down in times of desperation.”

After completing her internship, Alexis sees law enforcement as the chance to make a difference in people’s lives and in the world every day.

Kathleen Swain, Coordinator of Student Academic Success Services at NOC, helps make internship connections between students and employers in the community to ensure the opportunity for NOC students to gain valuable experience in their chosen field of study. For additional information on providing an internship opportunity, contact Swain at 580-628-6258.

Cutline:  Tristan McCullough

Tristan McCullough serves internship at Del City PD

An internship with the Del City Police Department gave Tristin McCullough some valuable insight into the life of a law enforcement officer.

McCullough, a 91成人 criminal justice major from Del City, Oklahoma, not only observed what patrol officers, dispatchers, and detectives do on a daily basis, he learned about the physical, emotional, and communication skillset necessary to have a successful career in law enforcement.

McCullough described his internship as a positive experience stating, “While riding along with different officers and seeing how they each work showed me the kind of police officer I want to be when I get done with the process.”

Kathleen Swain, Coordinator of Student Academic Success Services at NOC, helps make internship connections between students and employers in the community to ensure the opportunity for NOC students to gain valuable experience in their chosen field of study. For additional information on providing an internship opportunity, contact Swain at 580-628-6258.

Cutline:  NOC Student Chase Manly recently served an internship with the Fort Oakland Tribal Police Department

Chase Manly learns law enforcement from Fort Oakland Tribal Police

Chase Manly, a criminal justice major at 91成人 from Tonkawa, recently completed an internship with the Fort Oakland Tribal Police Department outside of Tonkawa.

Through this internship, Manly had the opportunity to patrol the reservation with officers and interact with members of the tribal community.

He speaks highly of his experience stating, “This special insight on federally regulated Tribal law enforcement agencies has given me a new perspective on the differences of actions taken in relation to Tribal and non-Tribal offences brought upon by both Tribal and non-Tribal members of the community and how a separate court is required if either party consists of a Tribal member(s).”

Kathleen Swain, Coordinator of Student Academic Success Services at NOC, helps make internship connections between students and employers in the community to ensure the opportunity for NOC students to gain valuable experience in their chosen field of study. For additional information on providing an internship opportunity, contact Swain at 580-628-6258.

Cutline:  NOC Student Jamie Sparks recently interned with the Tulsa District Attorney’s Office.  Pictured (L-R):  Kenneth Elmore, Director of SVU; Ashley Nix, Director of DVU (Domestic Violence Unit), Jamie Sparks, Annalisa Muehlberg, Tulsa Police Department Victims Advocate; Detective Williamson, Broken Arrow Police Department (photo provided)

Jamie Sparks interns in Tulsa County DA’s Office

91成人 student Jamie Sparks recently completed a Criminal Justice internship with the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office.

With prior experience working with the Special Victims Unit and Domestic Violence Unit, this 91成人 sophomore from Garber, Oklahoma, took on the task of expanding her knowledge and experience into the area of Victim’s Compensation.

Sparks learned during her internship how the State of Oklahoma provides for victims of domestic violence or the families of homicide victims including funeral expenses, doctor bills, and therapy.

Sparks explained, “You can always learn something new.  That means even if you have years of training, and work in the field every single day, there is always something you can gain knowledge from. [This] knowledge will help me better assist victims and witnesses in the future.”

Kathleen Swain, Coordinator of Student Academic Success Services at NOC, helps make internship connections between students and employers in the community to ensure the opportunity for NOC students to gain valuable experience in their chosen field of study. For additional information on providing an internship opportunity, contact Swain at 580-628-6258.

NOC Student Kennedy Harmon recently interned with the Ponca City Police Department.  (photo provided)

Kennedy Harmon interns at Ponca City PD

Kennedy Harmon, a sophomore criminal justice major at 91成人 from Ponca City, recently had the opportunity to participate in an internship with the Ponca City Police Department.

The student experienced ride-along with patrol officers and working with the dispatch office, seeing first-hand how many law enforcement situations are handled.

Harmon stated, “While things we learn in college will help us in our chosen careers, I learned that the most important part of being a cop is to analyze a situation and know how to solve it with both parties being happy, which is not always easy.”

She is  looking forward to the day when she can wear a badge herself, according to Kathleen Swain, Coordinator of Student Academic Success Services at NOC.

Swain helps make internship connections between students and employers in the community to ensure the opportunity for NOC students to gain valuable experience in their chosen field of study.

For additional information on providing an internship opportunity, contact Swain at 580-628-6258.

AJ Horback describes her experience as the Ag program intern below:

“My experience interning at the sheep center has been nothing less than fun. Working alongside Mr. Cardwell and the other sheep center employees brought me a head full of knowledge and some forever friends. Growing up showing cattle and hogs, the thought of working with sheep was not ideal, but I am not one to give up on something that I have started. Thankfully I had been around the sheep center my whole sophomore year, as being in the sheep production class in the fall, where I got to travel to both Tulsa State Fair and the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky.

My first semester was basically preparation for the spring semester, as I came in with much more knowledge then before and was more than willing to help all that I could. We did many different forms of things I already had knowledge of, such as flushing and Artificial Insemination. This process is much different in sheep then in cattle. With flushing, you have to put the sheep to sleep and flip them on their backs, then insert tubes into the uterus on both sides, allowing eggs to flow out. With AI, the same idea of flipping them on their backs was used, the semen was inserted directly into their uterus from under their bellies, unlike cattle where you can just use a rod and insert the semen that way.

This experience has taught me so much about a specie I never thought I would come to enjoy. Working with Bart and the sheep crew will never be forgotten, and all the life lessons I have learned will stay with me forever.”

Miguel Sanchez, NOC Criminal Justice student, describes his internship experience……

"The internship I have agreed to take on is with the Office of Juvenile Affairs. I was eager to take on this internship because I have been thinking about doing this specific field in my future as a criminal justice major. The pros and cons of this internship and the information I was able to take in as well

The Office of Juvenile Affairs is a state-run office that deals with various situations that involves juveniles that have committed a crime or have been arrested. The agency was created in 1994 after the Oklahoma legislature passed the Juvenile Reform Act creating the Office of Juvenile Affairs. This Act went into fruition on July 1, 1995 and this also created the Youthful Offender act as well. The office was given the responsibility and authority to handle all juvenile justice in the state alone. A governing body of seven members was appointed by the governor at the time, which was Gov. Frank Keating, with the advice and consent of the senate. With this creation, this created a one of a kind system for Oklahoma to increase community involvement and to enhance the relationship with the judiciary as well. On April 5, 1996, OJA was able to meet all Federal Court requirements.

The job overview for this office is extensive and intricate as well. the duty that a juvenile specialist has is to a certain point tedious but necessary. The basic job in a day of a specialist depends on what is going on. On certain days, the juvenile specialist more than likely gets an intake at the beginning of the day. An intake is usually a police report that he or she receives, and it is a police report they get from the police department. It shows what the crime that the juvenile has committed and to what extent. It is very detailed and has a brief overview on how the situation went about and how it was handled. Other than in intake, some days consist of the specialist meeting with the juvenile to go over what happened and get ho or her side of the story. After that process, paperwork is filled out, which basically describes any medical and other generic information that the office needs. Afterwards, the juveniles goes over his criminal history if they have any and they go over any other medical and disabilities the juvenile may have. Another job requirement that juvenile specialist have is going to court. Court takes place every first and third Thursday of every month. Court usually consists of probation reviews and in some cases adjudications as well. I have experienced all these in my short month with the company. Court also goes payment reviews, which involves probation fees, restitution fees, and court fees as well.

Pros and cons are relevant in my opinion, but its more pros than cons. The pros is that it gives me an idea of how the juvenile system works. It also scares some of the juveniles because the majority of the ones I have come across are first time offenders. This really benefits me in my field of study because I get to have the idea of how everything is ran and how the process thoroughly processed. The one con I have is that sometimes everything is ran on a whim and unorganized at times. Although it is not very relevant, I still got to experience first-hand when everything does not go according to the judge or to the specialists as well.

My overall opinion about my experience is nothing short of great. My time with all the people I have met was extremely beneficial and I am Grateful. The help that I have received has help me solidify my career path on being a juvenile specialist. These people have welcomed me with open arms and have helped me take in any information that was presented to me. Also, with these connections, I have a solid foundation for references I may need in the future. Those references include county judge Bandy, the District Attorney of Oklahoma, county clerk, and others that work for Kay county as well. Again, I am overall grateful for the help that was given me and for all the extensive connections that were established as well. I would recommend this internship because it is a solid way to get an idea of how the juvenile system works, if that person is interested in it. The information is plentiful and very beneficial in this type of work. OJA has blessed me with the opportunity to intern at their office. Again. If a person is really interested in this field, I would recommend this internship right away. This has put me in the mindset of pursuing this field and making this my career of choice.

Elizabeth De La Torre Lopez shares her experience with the Lamunyon Law Firm …..

As a Criminal Justice major undergraduate at 91成人, I participated in 48-hour internship at Lamunyon Law Firm. I beheld upon doing my internship at a law firm to get a better glimpse for myself, thus, in the future pursuing a career as an attorney. Lamunyon Law Firm offered a big foretaste of what an attorney’s job ensures and the assembly of their business. This law firm offered a positive atmosphere as well as included an immensely friendly staff that allowed me to observe their daily assignments and activities around the office. In the event anyone needed an internship location like I happen to need one, I would extremely recommend his location. They were tremendously cooperative and flexible with the hours I had to get this internship completed, as well as worked with the hours available in my daily schedule. This internship experience offered a great overview of their business, as well as gave me some daily responsibilities, like any other it had pros and cons, and thus made up my mind on my own overall opinion on both my future career and on the law firm itself.
Lamunyon Law Firm’s primary business as said in the name is a law office. Justin Lamunyon, the attorney, specializes in cases that are family, guardianship, probate, personal injuries, real estate, and criminal. He was been practicing law for twenty-three years. His business consists of four people, one of which is himself. The chain of command following Mr. Lamunyon, there is Cassidy, his book keeper. She is in charge of the business’s accounts, records all transactions as well as incomes, process payments, maintains historical records by filing documents, complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements, files taxes, etc. Valerie, the legal assistant, is after Cassidy and who I happened to be working under during my internship. Legal assistants maintain and organize files, conduct legal research, assist in collecting paperwork needed for court, schedule appointments, etc. At the bottom on the chain, there is Ally, the receptionist. She is in charge of the front desk, taking phone calls, setting up appointments, greets clients   and visitors, and checking in anyone that enters the establishment. Even though there is not a multitude of workers, his team is well trained, and they are very much equipped with the means necessary and knowledge to run the office.  
For my future career, I would like to become an attorney. I believe that because I am bilingual, it would help my community, thus helping out those that have trouble with the English language, therefore needing help in the law spectrum. When I was young, I had in mind becoming a registered nurse, but once I began taking classes at 91成人, I looked into the Criminal Justice major and I fell in love. Just like Professor Cochran said, “if you are not Criminal Justice major, you will be. It is addicting.” Those were some of the words that I can remember from my first-class during freshmen year in Intro to Criminal Justice. Now, because of it, I want to go further and hopefully purse a career in law. In Lamunyon Law Firm, I worked beneath Valerie, the legal assistant. During my time there, she was the only one in the office because the other two were out on maternity leave, so I was able to offer an extra hand and look into all three sides of the ladies’ jobs. For me, I did not have specific duties within the internship. A day consist of coming in, sitting down, and inquiring what there needs to be done. Normally, I would be filing documents into its corresponding area, shadowing Valerie at all times, scheduling appointments, processing payments (if any), and basically just offering an extra hand when needed.
Within my experience at Lamunyon Law Firm, I can say that the unsurpassed benefit of the internship was getting to look into each of the positions available within a law firm. Before this experience, I had not ever before gone into an establishment like that nor saw the elements needed to run or work at a law firm. I learned plentiful about current cases, which are confidential, and also about closed cases. The only negative aspect of the internship, in general, was the amount of time needed to complete it. I believe there is insufficient time offered to get a better look into a specific job. Do not be mistaken, I learned adequately in a short period of time, rather, I myself would have preferred it to run through the semester, if possible. Within the law firm itself, one negative aspect was the communication. There was two different instances where I had time available to go in. Upon arriving, the office would be closed. The following day they were surprised that I was trying to come in the day before. Because of the communication, I was not informed, nor did they recall my schedule of times I was going to be there. Nevertheless, without those factors playing a part, the pros overrule the cons.
Like in the beginning, I would tremendously recommend this law firm as a place to complete one’s internship. First off, the atmosphere is welcoming. Who does not what to have that experience when the first come in? The atmosphere is what pulls a person in at the beginning, thus later establishing an opinion about the place. There is a bright smile from a receptionist at the front desk, anxious to assist you. Second, tied along with the atmosphere, it could not be done without the staff. They are willing to help someone coming in as an intern and are more than willing to lead the way and show you new things. Third, the flexible schedule. In my case, I was only able to attend Tuesdays and Thursday 10 to 12 and Wednesdays 3 to 5. Even though it gets in got the way of Valerie leaving early, she would stay in later on Wednesday afternoon so I could put in those two hours.
In conclusion, my experience in an internship at Lamunyon Law Firm was an extremely informative, as well as helpful in knowing about the elements within a law firm. With the help of Valerie, the legal assistant, I was able to view her daily duties, as well as the other two, and get a feel for the business. Between the case reading and talks with Mr. Lamunyon, I got a glimpse into a world I had no seen before besides the ones on television and classroom. Between my daily duties of filing documents in their corresponding area to processing payments, I was able to offer a hand when it was needed and overall done correctly. As for the truly welcoming environment positive to the miscommunication as a negative, alike any business, this law firm saw it too well, but it did not influence my decision when it came to recommend this law firm. Little things like those such as the communication can be easily adjusted, but for the sake of time, it was not obligatory to do so. This internship truly helped me gain a bit of knowledge as to whether law as a future career is the right path, as for now it is the right one for me.