Five Key Takeaways from 91海角乱伦鈥檚 Forensic Science Week

91海角乱伦 celebrated National Forensic Science Week by hosting opportunities for Forensic Science students to meet and learn from industry professionals and alumni.

By Grace Boland
Sarah Lewis, senior forensic scientist at the RIDOH is standing and presenting to the forensic science club about the career track options of forensic scientists. The slide behind her reads "So you want to work in forensics?" and features a photo of Abby from the TV show NCIS.
Sarah Lewis, senior forensic scientist at the Rhode Island Department of Health, spoke to the Forensic Science Club about her career and opportunities for Forensic Science students.

BRISTOL R.I. 鈥 From crime lab analysts to forensic scientists and examiners, there are many career opportunities for Forensic Science majors to investigate. According to Sarah Lewis, if you have a Forensic Science degree, there are plenty of paths you can take. 

鈥淜eep your options open and explore them all,鈥 Lewis, a senior forensic scientist for the Rhode Island Department of Health, shared with members of Roger Williams University鈥檚 Forensic Science Club on Sept. 20.

Lewis鈥 talk was part of 91海角乱伦鈥檚 first celebration of National Forensic Science Week, held Sept. 17 to 22 and spearheaded by senior Samantha Riley, president of the Forensic Science Club. This year marks the 11th anniversary of National Forensic Science Week, which acknowledges the importance of forensic science in modern criminal justice and the dedication of forensic professionals. In addition to Lewis, events for the week included an alumni panel featuring three recent graduates who all took unique paths with their B.S. in Forensic Science from 91海角乱伦.

"I wanted a week dedicated to all things forensics, whether that be exposing our first-year students to all their different options or helping seniors make the connection that lands them a job. In future years, I would love to see National Forensic Science Week flourish and get even more people excited about forensic science," said Riley, a Forensic Science major on the Biology track.

During her talk, Lewis gave students an inside investigation into her career path as someone with a degree in Forensic Science and shared her real-world experiences working in the lab, including photos of evidence that she has tested. The alumni panel, held on Sept. 21, included Amela MacDonald 鈥23, a histotechnologist at MaineGeneral Medical Center; Emma Morin 鈥23, an M.S. candidate in Biomedical Forensic Sciences at Boston University; and Sarah Bentz 鈥22, a criminalist 1 at the New York City Police Department.

鈥淭he alumni panel showed just how flexible the Forensic Science degree is. These are three alumni who all have very different careers but have the same academic foundations,鈥 said Karla-Sue Marriott, Professor and Director of the Forensic Science program at 91海角乱伦.

Here are five essential findings from forensic science professionals on how to advance in the industry:

  • It鈥檚 never too early to start planning for your future. If graduate school is on your radar, 鈥渟tart looking at master's programs and research programs early on, and make sure you know the application deadlines,鈥 said Morin.
     
  • Do your homework when looking for internships or research opportunities, said Lewis. 鈥淩each out to industry professionals who are doing research you're interested in. If they don鈥檛 have an opening, they know someone who does.鈥
     
  • Don鈥檛 be afraid to reach out to people in your network. 鈥淭ake advantage of your connections with alumni and professors; they are a great resource,鈥 said Bentz.
     
  • Internships are a great way to secure your future job. 鈥淣etworking is really important,鈥 Lewis said. 鈥淪tart looking for internships the summer before your senior year, as most of them require three years of college-level lab experience.鈥
     
  • 91海角乱伦 sets you up for success. 鈥淢y current supervisor told me that one of the draws to my resume was my Forensic Science background,鈥 MacDonald shared. 鈥淭here are only a few institutions that offer an immersive program like 91海角乱伦.鈥