Summer Spotlight: Sydney Gero '23
University of Scranton student Sydney Gero participates in the Royal Experience Summer Internship with New Jersey State Parole Board (NJSPB), in Trenton, NJ, specifically with their Community Programs Division (CPD).Sydney Gero '23 is interning at the New Jersey State Parole Board. Here, she writes about her experience through the Royal Experience Summer Internship Program.
This summer, I am an intern with the New Jersey State Parole Board (NJSPB), in Trenton, NJ, specifically with their Community Programs Division (CPD). The NJSPB’s mission is to promote successful offender rehabilitation, and the CPD assists in this mission by utilizing community-based programs and partnerships to support offender reentry and supervision in the community. Through this internship, I have expanded my understanding of parole, built professional connections, and gained experience that supplements my Scranton education.
Though I expected some clerical aspects, the job never involved making coffee runs or photocopying. Instead, I was tasked with many research projects, such as discovering successful programs offered in other states, and creating resource brochures for children and families of parolees. I felt welcome and included in the workplace, and I am confident in saying that my input and ideas were highly valued.
I gained considerable knowledge about community programs offered to parolees in New Jersey, and had the chance to join my supervisor in visiting a few. Experiences through my internship went beyond the CPD, allowing me to see more than just one part of the parole process. For example, I received the opportunity to attend full board hearings, which are conducted to determine if an individual is ready for release on parole. It was interesting to see the parole board recommend a community program for the individual to complete during their parole supervision. Additionally, I observed revocation hearings, which occur when a parolee has violated conditions of their parole.
The NJSPB internship provided my first hands-on exposure to the criminal justice system, which I thoroughly enjoyed. My major is criminal justice, with a counseling and human services minor. Although I am uncertain of my career goals, the internship has left me eager to continue gaining experience, knowledge, and skills needed to thrive in the criminal justice field.
To follow my summer internship and other students’ internships: sites.scranton.edu/careerservices/
