Sydney Flick is a senior criminal justice major at Waynesburg University. Flick, much like many of her classmates, goes to class, has an internship with an employer in her field and has a work study job.

However, Flick’s work study program is unlike any other, as she works with the Department of Public Safety to gain experience in her field.

Her role with the Public Safety Department as a part of a work study program is not new, the Department of Public Safety has been offering a student worker position for over 10 years.

“Having somebody that is going to school, going to the classrooms, living in the dormitories, interacting with our students, benefits us as far as identification,” said Mike Humiston, director of the Department
of Public Safety.

Along with helping in identification, student workers complete a variety of other tasks such as dispatching, crowd control, manning the Public Safety office, writing reports and various other jobs that helps them gain experience in
their potential field.

To be accepted in the position, one must be a criminal justice major, be in good academic standing with the university, go through the interviewing process and swear confidentiality regarding matters discussed in the public safety office.

One student, who worked in the student worker role two years ago and now works in a Sheriff’s office in Maryland, was featured in an episode of “Live P.D.”

“It was a big thing for our department and our university,” said Humiston. “Live P.D. is a fairly popular viewed television program and he was actually on there doing a failed sobriety test on a potentially drunk driver. Knowing that he’s doing as well as he’s doing in law enforcement, I think we can honestly say we had something to do with him maturing and doing what
he’s doing now.”

Humiston believes Flick is a candidate to continue the tradition of success.

“A large percentage of criminal justice people, before they even get out into the employment field as a law enforcement officer, a lot of those folks start in security” Humiston said. “So they’ll do some type of report writing, they’ll do some sort of investigative techniques, interview techniques, those types of things. She’s very helpful with that stuff and we are going to miss her
after she graduates.”

Humiston is not the only person on campus that commends Flick for her work and ambition.

“[Flick] is at the top of her class when it comes to academics and performance,” said James Tanda, director of Security Operations and Emergency Management and criminal justice instructor.

Tanda has observed Flick’s work both inside and outside the classroom.

In regards to her work as President of the Criminal Justice Club, Tanda stated that Flick, “fills that roll very well by demonstrating leadership to her peers.”

Flick is also interning with the Pittsburgh office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), where Tanda had previously worked as a supervisor before coming to Waynesburg
University in 2013.

Flick has gained experience in her field from her work with the Department of Public Safety, noting her improvement with people skills while in the position.

According to Flick, the struggles of being a student worker with the department of Public Safety are worth it’s challenges.

“It’s definitely useful, it gives you an experience that you can put on your resume,” Flick said. “It’s definitely an experience that is worth it.”