Rae-Lynn Hickerson was attending Lethbridge College when a networking day introduced her to some of the many career possibilities.

But it was BC Corrections that really captured her interest.

乌鸦传媒淚 thought it was really interesting,乌鸦传媒� she says of her impression of the career opportunity with BC Corrections.

A subsequent practicum at Lethbridge Correctional Centre in Alberta settled her professional path.

乌鸦传媒淥ne of my passions is helping people so I saw it as a great opportunity to do that,乌鸦传媒� Hickerson says, reflecting on the education and experience she calls upon in her work. 乌鸦传媒淚 get to take what I learned in sociology and psychology and I get to use it and implement it.乌鸦传媒�

Today, Hickerson is a (CO) at the Okanagan Correctional Centre, a regional correctional centre that holds inmates of all levels of security that are either serving a sentence or are being held in custody while awaiting court appearances.

Opportunities for career growth

Over the coming months, the BC Corrections乌鸦传媒� Adult Custody Division plans to it typically hires 乌鸦传媒� offering meaningful careers for men and women with the skills and personal qualities needed in today乌鸦传媒檚 peace officers.

乌鸦传媒淏C Corrections is very welcoming to all walks of life. There are all different types of inmates and everyone reacts differently to different people,乌鸦传媒� Hickerson says, also pointing to the progressive training, with ongoing education and training opportunities that BC Corrections provides.

乌鸦传媒淚 have always said that our staff are our greatest asset,乌鸦传媒� says Stephanie Macpherson, Provincial Director, BC Corrections. 乌鸦传媒淲e are a 乌鸦传媒榩eople first乌鸦传媒� organization 乌鸦传媒� which means we are always thinking of the people when we make decisions, and as we develop our principles, values and goals. People matter, whether it乌鸦传媒檚 the inmate in our custody or our staff who want to help support that person in custody who wants to turn their life around. We continue to invest in our staff to ensure our organization is agile, responsive and able to excel in pursuing its mission of public safety.乌鸦传媒�

Work-life balance

At this point in her life, Hickerson enjoys the four-days-on, four-days-off schedule many Correctional Officers follow 乌鸦传媒� it lets her enjoy all the Okanagan has to offer, or visit her hometown of Cranbrook, for example.

However, BC Corrections乌鸦传媒� management also works to find the best options for Correctional Officers whose families乌鸦传媒� lives or other needs might require a different schedule.

Flexibility extends to career opportunities within the system, from working in program areas like metal shop, to working in the records department, managing day to day operations and supervisory positions. There乌鸦传媒檚 also educational assistance and a good benefits package and pension plan.

乌鸦传媒淭here are tons of opportunities to move up, if that乌鸦传媒檚 what you want to do,乌鸦传媒� Hickerson says.

Giving back

Today, Hickerson looks forward to returning to Lethbridge College乌鸦传媒檚 networking day, this time representing BC Corrections and engaging others with the possibilities.

乌鸦传媒淵ou have a real opportunity to make a difference in someone乌鸦传媒檚 life, to implement different programs and hopefully prevent them from coming back,乌鸦传媒� Hickerson says.

乌鸦传媒淚 feel very lucky to be here.乌鸦传媒�