2013 Graduate

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Where are you from, or where do you consider home?

I am originally from New Hampshire but currently live in California.

Three words to describe your experience at Northeastern:

Growth. Leadership. Impact.

What motivated you to continue through challenging times in obtaining your degree?

What motivated me was knowing that I had made a commitment to myself to finish what I started, even when balancing graduate school with work and other responsibilities became challenging. I wanted to grow professionally, challenge myself, and prove to myself that I could persevere when things became difficult.

What has your journey revealed to you about yourself?

My journey at Northeastern has revealed that I am someone who never really stops looking for ways to grow. When I started my graduate program in Criminal Justice Leadership, I wanted to become a better leader and advance my career. I did not realize at the time how much that experience would influence the direction of my career, or that it would eventually lead me back to Northeastern as a part-time lecturer.

Since graduating in 2013, I have continued my education, earned my PhD, worked in criminal justice and security, and moved into higher education. Looking back, I think Northeastern helped me realize that what I enjoy most is not only learning and doing the work, but also sharing what I have learned with others. Coming back as a lecturer and having the opportunity to teach students who are working toward their own careers has probably been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.

It has also reminded me that a degree is really just the beginning. What you do with that education, the experiences you gain, the people you help along the way, and the willingness to keep growing are what ultimately shape your career.

Looking back at my journey from Northeastern student to Northeastern lecturer, I am proud of the path I have taken and grateful that Northeastern continues to be a part of it.

A degree is really just the beginning. What you do with that education, the experiences you gain, the people you help along the way, and the willingness to keep growing are what ultimately shape your career.

Jamie Gauthier

Experiential learning is a core component of a Northeastern education. Describe some of the highlights for you.

For me, one of the biggest highlights of Northeastern was being able to connect what I was learning in the classroom to my professional experiences in criminal justice and security. The program challenged me to take real-world issues, think critically about them, and apply what I was learning in ways that had practical value in my career.

Where do you imagine yourself five years from now?

When I graduated in 2013, I hoped to continue growing as a leader in the criminal justice and security fields, but I could not have predicted that my journey would eventually bring me back to Northeastern as a lecturer. Looking back, the past several years have reinforced for me that the best career path is one that allows you to keep learning, contribute to your profession, and help develop the next generation of professionals.

What advice would you give to current and future Huskies?

My advice is to stay curious, be willing to take on new challenges, and never stop learning. Your degree opens doors, but your willingness to grow, adapt, build relationships, and take advantage of opportunities will ultimately shape where your career takes you.

Is there anything else you wanted to say that we didn’t cover?

Since graduating from Northeastern in 2013, I have been fortunate to build on the foundation I developed there. I went on to earn my PhD in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security, continued my work in law enforcement and security, and moved into higher education, where I have served as a professor, program director, curriculum developer, and academic leader.

One of the things I am most proud of is that my career has allowed me to combine my professional experience with my passion for education. I currently serve as an Academic Program Director at Columbia Southern University and continue to teach, including as a part-time lecturer at Northeastern’s College of Professional Studies. Coming back to Northeastern as an instructor has been especially meaningful because I remember what it was like to sit on the other side of the classroom.

I also recently published my first book, Irons in the Fire: Igniting a Career Built on Purpose, Impact, and Fulfillment. Looking back, I am proud of how much has happened since I graduated, but I am even more appreciative of the role Northeastern played in helping me get there. My experience at Northeastern did not end when I received my degree. It became part of the foundation I have continued to build on throughout my career.

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn.