Hey Collegiates! This week, I’m excited to be introducing you a fellow Chapter Writer and Crim major, Danika Plante Mahnic! Featuring one of our own members is always a delight. Danika currently has a full load this semester doing a co-op work term with the RCMP, writing for Her Campus, and mentoring first years in the SFU FASS Connections Peer Mentorship Program. It’s been a crazy semester for this one, and we can’t wait for you guys to hear all about it!
The Basics
Age: 21
Faculty: Criminology Major, French Minor
Hometown: New Westminster
Social media: Snapchat/Facebook: danikaplante
Fun Fact: I buy and lose more beanies than I could ever count.
Hey Danika! Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Hey! I’m currently a 3rd year student here at SFU. I actually started school at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and transferred to SFU not too long ago. Originally, I was a Health Science student but then one bad biology class later, I found myself in the Criminology program. I like to do hikes when it’s sunny out and drink (baileys) hot chocolates when it’s cold out. I read a lot of easily digestible fiction and I like to write when it’s not required to be marked or graded.
What is your favourite thing about being a Crim major at SFU? Any advice for students in or about to enter Criminology studies?
The most obvious thing I like about being a Crim student is finding solace in studying something I genuinely enjoy. It can be difficult explaining what you study in Criminology because it’s interdisciplinary. It’s basically like I’m learning a bit of everything.
Some advice I’d give students who want to enter the Criminology field is to give it some thought. There’s a lot of students in this field and the jobs can get competitive. Being successful in this field requires passion, a drive, and a bit of a plan, not just some half-assed effort to fulfil the credit requirement (C’s get degrees, am i right?). It’s kind of a sad truth that just a Criminology degree isn’t going to get you far. Do some volunteering, co-ops, projects and such. It also helps you narrow down what you really enjoy doing!
Could you tell us about SFU FASS Connections Peer Mentorship Program? How are you involved with the program?
I’m currently a FASS Mentor for The SFU FASS Connections Peer Mentorship program. This program helps connect new FASS undergraduate students with upper year FASS students and their peers. In short, we help first year students adjust to university life. We give them support, connect them with resources, answer their questions about SFU and be a person they can rely on. I wanted to get involved in this program because I remember how lost and confused I felt during my first semester at university. I felt like I didn’t belong. So, I don’t want first year students to feel the same way. We also have fun events for students like movie nights, bowling, amazing race style games, and of course, a bunch of free food.
You mentioned that you’re currently in Co-op! What are you currently doing for your work term?
I’m currently doing a Co-op with the RCMP. My work involves transcribing police reports sent in by police officers from all over BC. It’s really interesting communicating with people that are from all over the province and to learn about the crimes that really occur in BC. We’re a 24/7 service so we operate on shift work. So my work days are 11 hours long and range from day shifts to graveyard shifts. This job allows me to drink coffee during any hour of the day which is great excuse to constantly use the office’s keurig.
Do you recommend Co-op to SFU students or other Criminology majors? How do you feel the Criminology co-op differs from other faculty co-ops?
Yes I do recommend it! Criminology is a popular field. Therefore, finding crim-related jobs upon graduating can be competitive. Completing co-op work terms is a great way to gain experience in your field, network with employers, give you insight on what kind of jobs your discipline has to offer, and if your interests can translate into practice!
Faculties offer very diverse co-ops, so it’s difficult to compare them. A lot of the Crim-related co-op postings are for government positions, which is a different interviewing process than for a private company. The questions are standard for each candidate, and you will not get any prompts or follow-up questions based on your experience. Your answers are graded and the candidate with the highest score is offered the position. My current position also had a written portion during the interview. I’ve also interviewed for a different RCMP position that required that I give a presentation to the hiring panel. These experiences are not exclusively Crim-related but it’s been my experience so far!
Do you see yourself working for the RCMP upon graduating?
Maybe! I’m very much enjoying my time at the RCMP and I do see myself being here long-term. But I’m always open to new opportunities. I’ve always held this ideology that if I’m determined to follow a certain path, that I’ll end up either disappointed or missing amazing opportunities. I have a lot of interest, so it would be a shame to not explore them. For example, if I was set on only pursuing Criminology-related opportunities, I would have never been involved with Her Campus, which expanded my love for writing and journalism.
What motivates you to work in the police force? Have you always known that you wanted this?
I never knew this particular field would interest me. It’s difficult to pinpoint the types of jobs you’d want if you never experienced said-jobs. I had this misconception that working for the RCMP only involved becoming a police officer and nothing else. Doing co-op really opened my eyes to the other possibilities available to me. Not only with the RCMP, but in general.
I believe you previously worked for a Prison Justice Club. What was your role and what did your responsibilities entail?
Back when I was at Kwantlen, my friend was very passionate about prisoner’s rights and the injustices within our criminal justice system. So, I helped her start the Kwantlen Prison Justice Club where I had the opportunity to become the Vice President and the Treasurer. The club hosted enlightening events and provided eye opening information about the realities of our current criminal justice system. The club also did fundraisers and a book donation drive called “books behind bars”. I’m very proud of what they have accomplishment and was very sad to be leaving them.
As a Chapter Writer for Her Campus SFU’s Editorial team yourself, what are your favourite aspects of HC SFU? What were your motivations in joining the team?
When I first came to SFU, I was pretty impressed by the student involvement. I kept overhearing students talking about the interesting opportunities and clubs they were a part of. So, I did some reasearch and found Her Campus SFU! What motivated me is that I wanted to connect with like-minded students whom I shared a common interest with.
My favourite part of HC SFU is the creative freedom. I’m able to writing about my passions, interest, and thoughts. It’s fulfilling writing creative content that is received positively. I always thought that even if your content impacts even just one person positively, then it’s all worth it.
And finally…where would we find you on a hot summer day?
Torturing myself with a strenuous multi-hour hike and then rewarding myself with burgers and beer.
Photos provided by the interviewee.