Let’s face it. Oakland University is a largely commuter campus, which makes it difficult to create meaningful friendships when most students have to drive home right after class.  Some may talk to acquaintances in class, but real friendships can be hard to form.

If students choose to explore OU outside of the classroom, they have the ability to be a part of a social experience that combines their desired career path with the opportunity to make friends. The Criminal Justice Club does just that.

“Criminal Justice Club is a student org that assists students in exploring the wide variety of job options offered within the field of criminal justice,” said Brianna Reyes, president of the club. “Our whole focus is on showing off different CJ careers and promoting awareness about major social issues such as sexual assault and domestic violence.”

David Sharick, vice president of the club, believes their goal is to provide students with an all-encompassing overview of the criminal justice field.

“The main benefit of joining the CJ Club is the ability to hear from a wide range of professionals from a variety of positions and professions within the field of criminal justice,” he said. “This gives students a chance to hear from those already working the jobs that the students may one day work themselves.”

Contrary to what most students believe, students do not have to be criminal justice majors to join the club.

“I think any student could benefit from joining Criminal Justice Club,” Reyes said. “You can simply be interested in the topic and or career we are spotlighting for an event. It is a great networking opportunity.”

Just recently, the club had the Oakland County Sheriff Canine Unit come to give a demonstration with K9s.

“They brought a narcotic K9, a bomb sniff K9 and a cute 8-month puppy in training to be a K9,” Reyes said. “They showed off their training techniques, the commands the K9s learn, showed their gear and gave scenarios of situations the K9s are used in.”

The club also hosts representatives from the FBI and other federal agencies, judges, police officers, detectives, probation officers, corrections personnel and more.

“We put as much information out there as possible so that our CJ students can make the most well-informed decisions as possible as to what they want to do for their professional lives,” Sharick said.

Students who would like to get event updates from the Criminal Justice club can join the group on Grizzorgs or follow their Facebook page, Criminal Justice Club at Oakland University.