When Madison Guinn first enrolled at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2013, she wasn’t sure what direction to take. She started in psychology, but her passion was elsewhere.
“I’ve always wanted to go into criminal justice,” she says. “My family didn’t really want me to do that at first, but I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”
Guinn joined UL Lafayette's Criminal Justice Society to satisfy her curiosity. After the group's field visit to Angola State Penitentiary, she was confident her future was in criminal justice.
“My mom told my dad, ‘She's going to come back and she's going to change her major to what she wants.' Lo and behold, I came back from that trip and said, ‘I don't care. I want to be in criminal justice.’”
The field visit was the turning point that inspired Guinn to pursue the degree program she’d always felt drawn to — UL Lafayette’s B.S. in Criminal Justice.
Gaining Real-World Experience
When Guinn was a junior, she found herself planning for more than her own future as she became a mom. Criminal justice instructors worked with Guinn to maintain her momentum toward her degree.
“I took a semester off, which ended up turning into a year,” she recalls. “When I came back, I came back swinging. I did summer classes at night so I could finish at a decent time, and the instructors were very supportive. I was in labor around finals and they helped me figure it all out.”
Guinn’s advisor helped her become the first intern with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, a move that launched her career.
“The internship was wonderful,” she says. “They didn’t have a formal internship program at the time, so I got thrown into every side of it… patrol, crime scene, corrections. It helped me realize that this was exactly what I wanted to do.”
Guinn was able to leverage her position into a full-time job offer before she even finished the program.
“Before I earned the degree, I had a start date... If it weren't for the criminal justice program, I don't know if I would’ve been able to get to where I am.”
Guinn began her law enforcement career as a corrections officer. From there, she advanced to patrol officer then to school resource officer. She is now a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Each step built on the foundation she developed as a student.
“I learned so much through that program and internship,” she says. “I was always interested in corrections, and I still am. Even now, I still work shifts in the jail on weekends. I love what I do.”
A Career That Gives Back
Balancing her demanding career with life as a single mom wasn’t always easy.
Early in her law enforcement journey, volatile assignments often kept her away from home. She later moved into criminal investigations for more control over her schedule and safety.
“When I started my detective role, I was finally able to bring my child to his first day of school,” she says. “It was a big deal for us, and I got to do that working as a detective. I’m so blessed to have a job that lets me do what I love and still be present for him.”
For Guinn, the greatest reward comes from the impact she’s able to make in her community. Another plus is the fulfillment that comes with doing meaningful work.
“I don’t ever want to be in a job that I’m unhappy in,” she says. “I love going to work. I get to do what I want to do every day.”
Opening Doors to Opportunity
Guinn credits her time at UL Lafayette with helping her find her path and gain career experience.
“With a criminal justice degree, there’s so much more than just being a cop,” she says. “It takes a million people to make the system work.”
Her advice for future students is simple: follow your passion.
“If it’s what you want to do, then do it,” Guinn says. “Otherwise, you’ll regret it later. It’s such a rewarding job.”
Launch your career with our online B.S. in Criminal Justice program.
