Run Through the Tape

He participated in his first career day during the spring of his sophomore year. The week before the event, students were given a list of career sessions. Each student was to choose a first, second, and third choice, and one alternative. He chose meteorology, nursing, and information technology. His alternate was criminal justice. As it worked out, he got meteorology, nursing, and criminal justice.  

The session on criminal justice got his attention and peaked his interest. The presenter referred to herself as a “criminalist,” which was a new term for him. She explained that such a career path provides opportunities in a wide range of fields. They included crime scene investigation, evidence gathering, laboratory testing and analysis procedures, and providing direct support to law enforcement and the criminal justice system. She offered a broad overview of the field with enough detail to help participants consider if such a career may be right for them. It was right for him!

He centered his college search around schools that had criminal justice programs. Once admitted, he selected that as his major, with a minor in psychology. For the last semester of his senior year, he did his capstone experience in a forensic lab with the state police. Throughout his four-month experience, he was engaged in everything from basic evidence collection to in-depth reviews of both current and cold cases. After the first week, he dubbed it his “dream job.”

The previous December the lab’s team leader had announced her retirement, effective May 31st. Her departure created an opening for an entry-level member of the team. When he saw the posting in January, he applied. Although he thought it just a courtesy, she encouraged him to do so.  

He was notified by letter, which was the protocol, that he’d get an initial interview. Again by letter, he was notified that he was one of three finalists. After that final interview, it was down to he and another candidate. Both he and the team leader respected their two distinct relationships—team leader and intern, and team leader and applicant.

His internship ended on May 15th, and his graduation was set for May 26th. The intervening ten days were very busy. A written summary of his capstone and an in-person panel review with three members of the Criminal Justice Department were due. He was invited to two honors banquets, one within his department and another for the graduating seniors. There was a baccalaureate service he wanted to attend.  He was also busy finalizing application details for other positions. 

On what was to be his last day, the lab team took him to lunch. No one mentioned the open position, so he resigned himself to the fact that it was going to be offered to the other finalist. Although she was pleasant as always, the team leader seemed preoccupied during lunch. He assumed that was because of her departure in two weeks and a heavier than usual case load. To show his appreciation for the experience he had gained with them, he went in several days over the next two weeks to help. 

At his graduation, he was surprised to see the team leader. It was a chilly day, and there she stood in her track letter jacket from that college. She patiently waited until his family had greeted and congratulated him, before approaching. He introduced her to his family, and they briefly chatted. She then asked if she could have a moment with him.

She walked him to a plaque on the wall of the gymnasium. It recognized her for achievements on the women’s track and field team more than thirty years ago. The plaque honored her for state-level track records—three of them. Two of those records still stand, and they remain gold standards for those particular races. Below the records is an inscription from her coach. “She always runs through the tape!”  (The tape is the ribbon at the finish line of a race.)

She shared that during the last few weeks she was struggling with making the right choice for the new position.  Then she said, “I’m happy to tell you that the new member of our team is you. It was difficult deciding between you and the other finalist. I asked for more time before taking a final decision back to the interview committee. That was until you came back to the lab even after your internship had ended. As I watched you ‘run through the tape,’ that clinched it for me—congratulations!”

Show commitment for, demonstrate dedication to, and always finish as strong as possible whatever it is that you choose to do in life. Be powered by a durable personal persistence, and engage with a steadfast run-through-the-tape diligence!


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