Area students who are interested in pursuing careers in police work, corrections, security or the courts can learn plenty from working professionals in a relaxed networking environment.

Dr. Carter Smith

That’s why MTSU and Nashville State Community College will host the 2014 Middle Tennessee Criminal Justice Networking and Information Exchange Friday, April 11, on Nashville State’s southeast campus, located at 5248 Hickory Hollow Parkway in south Nashville.

The event is set from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

Dr. Carter F. Smith, a professor in MTSU’s Department of Criminal Justice Administration, called it “a non-job fair.” Resumes aren’t necessary, and no interviews will be scheduled.

Click on the graphic above to learn more about MTSU’s Department of Criminal Justice Administration.

“We want the students to bring handshakes instead of resumes and spend some time getting to know the professionals attending,” said Smith, who is helping organize the event.

“I hope to get the attending students to be as comfortable talking with each of the guest professionals as they are with their professors.”

Agencies scheduled to send representatives to the event include:

• the police departments of Brentwood, Clarksville, Mt. Juliet, Smyrna and Springfield, Tenn.
• the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
• the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
• the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
• the law firm of Bone McAllester Norton.

“A bonus for the professionals is that this event should be quite the networking opportunity for them as well,” Smith said.

Business casual attire is advised. There will be a check-in procedure for students in classes that reward attendance.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Smith at carterfsmith@gmail.com or carter.smith@mtsu.edu, Mitzie Forrest-Thompson at coming_home2004@yahoo.com or Christene Lambert at christenelambert@gmail.com.

— Gina K. Logue (Gina.Logue@mtsu.edu)