Brittany Thomas, Law Enforcement Intelligence (distance learning) graduate student
Where are you from? Why did you choose to attend FSU as a distance learning student?
I was born in San Diego county and grew up all throughout Southern California. A great friend of mine highly recommended Florida State University after she got her bachelor’s here, and we are working through the same Master’s program simultaneously.
What inspired you to choose your degree program?
I spent eight years working in law enforcement intelligence for DEA and a DOJ counter-narcotics task force with state and local agencies before making the switch to military intel. I loved making a difference in the community through assisting our officers in getting drugs off the street, and hope to return to that field in an intelligence capacity after I retire from the Air Force.
What has your experience been so far in the program?
This program has been unlike any other degree I’ve worked toward in a great way. Most of the finals are project-based, which lends a realistic aspect and allows students to incorporate life experiences rather than writing 20-page research papers every other week. It’s a breath of fresh air, and I personally gain so much more educationally through the project-based finals.
What aspect of your area of study do you find most fascinating?
Although I haven’t taken the financial crimes course yet, in the real world I’ve always found that area of intelligence to be the most intriguing as it’s the cornerstone of why many crimes are committed in the first place. Most times, if you follow the money, you’ll be on a successful track to solving the case.
Who are the faculty or staff members that have helped or inspired you?
Dr. Hoover and Professor Andrews have both helped and inspired me as instructors. They truly pour their talents into ensuring student success and have been nothing but helpful anytime I’ve reached out for guidance.
What do you like to do when you’re not doing schoolwork?
Between my husband Steve and I we both work full-time and have three kids (Ainsley - 14, Taegan -12, and SJ -1) so we stay pretty involved and busy with their softball, volleyball, and swim schedules. During the rare times when we aren’t at a sporting event for the kids, we love getting outside on the boat or hiking!
After you graduate, what are your plans?
I plan to finish my career in the military, spend my first few years of retirement home with my son who will be about 8 years old by that time, and then return to DEA or another agency as an analyst in the counter-narcotics field. I may even pursue a career as a crime analysis instructor, depending on where life takes our family.
What advice do you have for fellow students?
The instructors are there to see you succeed and have a wealth of both experience and knowledge. Alongside your peers, use the instructors as resources throughout the program and really invest into the projects as if they were real-world scenarios.