News  Bristol Superior Probation Officers engage with students at Dartmouth High Career Day

Kristy DeSouza and Andrew Thompson, Bristol Superior Court Probation Officers, recently participated in a Career Day at Dartmouth High School where they introduced students to the work of the Massachusetts Probation Service and the impact of the agency on the justice-involved, communities, and courts. Both Ms. DeSouza and Mr. Thompson are Dartmouth High School alums and first became interested in a career in the courts and Probation after attending a Career Day when they were students.

"It was my pleasure to attend Dartmouth High School Career Day. As a Dartmouth High School alum, getting to go back and share what we do on a daily basis with the students was special. I was lucky enough as a senior at Dartmouth High School to do an internship with Bristol Superior Court and it has come full circle now that I am a Probation Officer in the same court now. The students showed genuine interest in what we do and hopefully we helped inspire some to take the path to become future Probation Officers," said PO Thompson.

"I was impressed with some of the questions students had. One student asked, 'So how do you help people?' After chatting with him, he shared that he wants a career that involves helping people every day. Both Andy and I explained that we help people everyday in so many ways, including connecting our probationers with support, and resources so they can live a productive life in the community," said PO DeSouza.

Ms. DeSouza and Mr. Thompson shared the "Core Responsibilities" of Probation such as supervision, case management and record keeping, as well as required experience and education to become a Probation Officer.

The Bristol Superior Probation team also introduced the tools and equipment of the trade such as the SCRAM device, which measures alcohol use, the GPS bracelet, and the MPS bullet-proof vest. The event took place at the school on April 15th. In addition to Bristol Superior Probation, the following companies participated in Dartmouth High's Career Day.

Bristol Superior Probation staff are planning to participate in this annual Spring Career Day event next year, according to PO's DeSouza and Thompson.