Students from the Accelerate, Complete, Engage (ACE) program recently completed fulfilling internships with the United States Marshals, gaining valuable hands-on experience in an environment that aligns their John Jay education with their law enforcement career goals. The service has the distinction of being the first federal law enforcement agency in the U.S., serving the country since 1789. It also has a long and rich history with John Jay College, says Premwati Sukhan, Associate Director of John Jay’s Center for Career and Professional Development. “The relationship with the U.S. Marshals spans decades, with John Jay alumni proudly serving in leadership roles at the agency, and the Eastern and Southern Districts regularly offering John Jay students internship opportunities,” says Sukhan, adding that the College very much appreciates and values its relationship with the U.S. Marshals. “These experiential learning opportunities with the U.S. Marshals help our students greatly. They’re benefiting from the guidance and mentorship that’s provided, and learning skills that will help them in their future careers.”
“The U.S. Marshals internship experience sparked our students’ curiosities and challenged them to expand their knowledge of law enforcement.” —DeLandra Hunter
Providing students with on-the-job training, the internship with the U.S. Marshals enables students to immerse themselves in the field and increase their chances for success following graduation. “The U.S. Marshals internship experience sparked our students’ curiosities and challenged them to expand their knowledge of law enforcement,” says DeLandra Hunter, Director of the ACE program, noting that he’s seen a positive transformation in each student. “Our ACE U.S. Marshals interns have increased their awareness of their civic responsibilities, ability to adapt to change, and take initiative,” he adds. “Their maturity, interpersonal communication, and self-confidence skills surpass those who have not engaged in an academic internship yet.” These successful outcomes serve to set students up for success, according to Hunter. “Our ACE U.S. Marshal interns are well-prepared to serve in any leadership opportunity because of this valuable internship experience.”
We sat down with some of our ACE U.S. Marshals interns to learn more about their experience.
Azizjon Saidmurodov’s Journey
Azizjon Saidmurodov ’20 always wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement. As a little boy growing up in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, he watched his uncle, who was a police officer, with great admiration. “My uncle was in the police force and I grew up wanting to be just like him. When we moved to Brooklyn, New York, that dream didn’t change for me.” This pull toward the criminal justice field led him directly to John Jay and the ACE Program, where with the help of the program’s support services he has excelled in his courses and taken steps toward fulfilling his childhood ambition.
“As an intern with the U.S. Marshals you’re experiencing the agency on so many different levels, so you’re exposed to so many opportunities for learning.” —Azizjon Saidmurodov
“Every semester ACE holds career and internships fairs where we meet with potential employers, learn more about their agencies, and meet people who are in the field on the local and federal level. It’s a great opportunity to get the perspective of a professional and learn how you can fit into the agencies.” The fairs have resulted in two law enforcement internships for Saidmurodov, most recently with the U.S. Marshals. “It surpassed all my expectations,” he says. “As an intern with the U.S. Marshals you’re experiencing the agency on so many different levels. You’re taking on a broad range of tasks and rotating through the different sections every few weeks, so you’re exposed to so many opportunities for learning.” Attending federal court cases and trainings—medical, tactical, and firearms—allowed for Saidmurodov to see what the life of a U.S. Marshal can be like from day-to-day. And, while he enjoyed every aspect of the internship, his favorite part was how welcoming the agents were. “Interning with the U.S. Marshals was an amazing experience. They treated me like one of their own and made me feel like I truly belonged.”
Jailene Leveratto’s Journey
When Jailene Leveratto ’21 learned she had earned a spot as an intern with the U.S. Marshals, she couldn’t wait to tell her mother. “She was so proud of me, she cried,” recalls Leveratto. “Growing up, my mom didn’t have access to these types of opportunities. She didn’t have a chance to graduate college. She was a single mom raising me and my brother in New York City, and trying her hardest to make sure we had the best in life.” Leveratto’s mom was also adamant her kids follow their heart when it came to their career paths. “For a long time I debated whether or not to go into the medical field because my aunt is a nurse. But I always felt a calling to law enforcement and fighting for justice.”
“I learned so much during my time with the U.S. Marshals, acquiring new tactical skills, analytical skills, and people skills. And mostly, I felt so encouraged by those I worked with to pursue my dreams.” —Jailene Leveratto
Leveratto knew an internship in the law enforcement field would help cement a pathway toward achieving that career goal, so when she learned about the U.S. Marshals internship at the ACE internship fair, she knew she had to apply. “This is a powerful internship, where you’re developing new skills, growing as a person, and you’re surrounded by the experts,” she says. “I learned so much during my time with the U.S. Marshals, acquiring new tactical skills, analytical skills, and people skills. And mostly, I felt so encouraged by those I worked with to pursue my dreams.” Once she graduates, Leveratto’s goal is to pursue a career in the U.S. Marshals. “Without a question it’s my dream career,” she says. “And, I know my mom is going to be so proud.”
Afsana Rahman’s Journey
Afsana Rahman ’21 has always been career driven, seizing experiential learning opportunities whenever possible. In high school, she joined the New York City Exploring program with hopes of learning more about careers in law enforcement. “At the time I was actually leaning toward becoming a lawyer, but then I was given a chance to shadow a federal agent and the experience changed my life,” says Rahman. “That’s when I found my calling. It’s when I knew law enforcement was the career path I want to go on.”
“What surprised me most about interning with the U.S. Marshals was how willing the marshals were to teach us. They wanted us to truly understand the service and what it means to be a U.S. Marshal.” —Afsana Rahman
Through the ACE career development workshops at John Jay, Rahman has been able to zero in on her career focus, connect with professionals, and set goals—one of which was to earn a spot in the U.S. Marshals’ internship program. “This was my first law enforcement internship and being able to fully immerse myself in their world and learn from the experts was amazing,” says Rahman. “What surprised me most about interning with the U.S. Marshals was how willing the marshals were to teach us interns everything they could. They wanted us to learn about the skillsets that are required. They wanted us to truly understand the service and what it means to be a U.S. Marshal.” To illustrate the highs and lows of the job, marshals would share their stories about apprehending fugitives and transporting federal prisoners. “Oftentimes you don’t get the opportunity to see what the workplace is like before you join it. Luckily, the U.S. Marshals’ internship gave me and other students that opportunity. We trained side-by-side with the marshals. We learned self-defense. We picked up new skillsets. But more importantly, we realized how vital this service is to this country.”
