Prompted Post #3: Exploring Communication

       Jobs in the field of Criminal Justice come in all shapes, sizes, and salaries. There are many CJ jobs you can get out of college and the following years after, however the amount of jobs for the 18-21 year old demographic were slim. However I decided to interview my best friend since I was a little tyke, Will, who has worked security at multiple music festivals and is currently a bouncer at a bar. These might not be the first things you thought of as CJ jobs, but I wanted to go for the angle of CJ for college kids (hence the name of my blog). Security might not be the highest level CJ job out there, but it still qualifies. We sat down via Skype to have a nice chat.

S: Hows it going man?
W: Pretty good man how about you?
S: Not too bad thanks for asking.

S: Okay so you have had and currently have some positions in security, whether it be concerts or bars and things like that, correct?
W: That is correct. I've been doing this for over a year and a half.

S: First question: What do you write, and how do you write it? I know it's kind of an odd question for someone with your job but it's required.
W: No I get it no worries. Well working at festivals you don't really write anything down. As a bouncer you know the people that aren't allowed back in the bar, but I know some bars have lists so i suppose you'd write their names down to keep them out. However for the most part I do not write much of anything down.

S: That makes sense. Alright next question: What are some misconceptions about people who work security, specifically bouncers or doormen, and how do you as a profession use communication to dispel of disprove these rumors?
W: A lot of people think we like to use physical force or we look for fights, but we really just looking out for the well being of the general population. We never use force as a first option. We always give people verbal warnings and then tell them if they don't stop then we will use physical force. However when alcohol is involved it can get out of hand quickly, usually because the bar patron or the concert attendee is belligerent and doesn't listen. So many bouncers get a bad rep for just doing their jobs. Its hard to shake the stereotype but there are signs in the places that we work saying what we can and can't do, so both the patrons and the bouncers know what can and will happen in an altercation.

       I chose to interview Will over another profession in the CJ field because for a blog targeted at young adults, this can give an accurate viewpoint of the potential jobs one could have in college and right out. These jobs are a good way to build resumes and get some hands on experience into the field of security.