Edward Caroselli

Choose to

climb the ranks.

Edward Caroselli

Hometown: Iselin, N.J.
Class Year: 2019
Major: Criminal Justice


 

Ed Caroselli in 2022, in police uniform with a cap

 

Ed Caroselli in 2022, in police uniform

 

Edward Caroselli chose Stockton and graduated three years ago. Learn a little more about his life now and how Stockton prepared him to keep climbing the ranks.

What does your typical day-to-day look like? Did you expect it to be like how it is now when you first graduated?

I’m currently a police officer with the Woodbridge Police Department. I have four days on and four days off, so I’m loving it. I go to the gym to stay in shape and catch up with old friends.

When I first graduated, I wasn’t exactly lost but I saw myself with a long road ahead of me, I knew it was going to take longer to reach my goal than my peers due to my career path. The 6 months of interviews and 6 months of training in the Police Academy and 6 months of post-academy training were daunting when I first came out, but with patience, I’m where I am now. It all worked out in the end.

Edward Caroselli (2019)

Ed Caroselli in 2019

Why did you choose Stockton?

I chose Stockton because of the inviting and friendly environment surrounding the campus. The small classes and one-on-one help from professors was appealing to me as a student. Stockton had so many opportunities to offer through leadership and my academic career. Both inside and outside of the classroom, Stockton has a lot to offer new students. 

Since COVID-19 upended many lives, I wanted to give you the opportunity to reflect on your life pre-and-post-2020. What’s different about your career/field now? How have you overcome the challenges of post-pandemic life?

I was working in the dispatch center in 2020. Normal days back then included calls about accidents and everyday things we run into. After COVID-19 though, the calls included more cardiac arrests and deaths, along with the worry of being a first responder or essential worker. It was a lonely time for me. I didn’t want to get my family, including my immunocompromised girlfriend, to get sick but I still had to work. Now, I feel a little more educated about it and how to stay safe. We’re more cautious about everything now.

I got through it because, thankfully, technology has advanced so much. Communicating with family and friends through FaceTime has really helped. Having work friends who can relate to what you’re going through has helped as well.
Ed Caroselli, '19

What is your next goal? Do you see yourself coming back to the nest or another university for graduate school?

I’ve pondered the thought, but I don’t think so as of right now. I’m not sure if it would be helpful compared to the hands-on training and workshops that I’ve been attending [as professional development]. I feel like I can apply the things I learned there more than from a classroom, at this point in my life.

What advice would you give students that are interested in Criminal Justice? Are you open to mentoring students currently in the program?

  • I would highly recommend the Washington Internship program. I did it in 2018 and it was phenomenal. I loved that it was hands-on and interactive.

  • I would also say to be patient in this field: it’s hard to get into and to be in. It takes work and time.

I’m always willing to help a student, feel free to email me!

Ed Caroselli in 2022