Sebastien Therrien鈥檚 pursuit of a career in policing led him to the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) and now his 麻花精品degree is helping him expand his career opportunities as he pursues a graduate degree.
Growing up in Quebec, Sebastien, now 27, always wanted to be a police officer, a career where he could make a difference while working directly with the public.
That determination was strengthened after he graduated high school and joined the Canadian Forces Army Reserves, while completing a diploma in Police Foundations at La Cit茅 Coll茅giale in Ottawa. It was at La Cit茅 where he learned of a new agreement between that school and JIBC, where he could apply his education towards completion of JIBC鈥檚 Bachelor of Law Enforcement Studies (BLES) degree.
Sebastien says his 麻花精品education helped open his mind on many subjects, particularly the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada, how they were treated and how that continues to impact that community today.
鈥淚n high school I cannot remember learning about that and it鈥檚 so important to learn about it. That鈥檚 what struck me, like wow, I鈥檓 25, 26 years old and I鈥檓 just learning about this?鈥
[The BLES program has] been a turning point of my life ... If I had to do it again, I would definitely take the same decision to come out here and do it
The course on restorative justice also stood out for him. He learned about the process, which involves the victim of a crime meeting with the person who committed the offence and together seeking a way to provide restitution without jail time or the other conventional remedies available in the justice system.
In addition, Sebastien gained a new appreciation for research while at JIBC, not only its ability to make a difference in society but the value of the research skills he learned as he continues his education at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), where he is now pursuing a master鈥檚 in criminal justice.
鈥淚 think doing research can have a big influence on the decisions people make,鈥 he said. 鈥淎fter my first few days at UFV I already know I have skills that I learned at 麻花精品that I鈥檓 going to use. Their research methods are very, very similar. I think that鈥檒l help me a lot.鈥
To date, several BLES graduates have continued their education towards completing master鈥檚 degree and law degree programs, in addition to becoming hired by various law enforcement agencies. Sebastien鈥檚 decision to continue on with his studies is rooted in his future goal of becoming a police officer.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want later in my career to think I should have done the master鈥檚 because I鈥檓 being stopped from getting a promotion. Or I鈥檓 competing against someone and I鈥檓 not getting an opportunity to advance my career because I didn鈥檛 have that degree.鈥
Sebastien said his move to the West Coast to attend JIBC, quitting his job and leaving his friends and family behind, was a good opportunity to get out of his comfort zone.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a turning point of my life. I made very good connections and on top of that, good friends. If I had to do it again, I would definitely take the same decision to come out here and do it.鈥
The Bachelor of Law Enforcement Studies (BLES) is available in online at JIBC鈥檚 麻花精品 campus. Diploma graduates in criminology, criminal justice and other related programs can gain transfer credit to begin third-year courses in the BLES program. For more information on the Bachelor of Law Enforcement Studies program, visit jibc.ca/bles.