Evan Mullen, Class of 2022, changes his major and finds an internship that aligns with his interests and passions with the U.S. Marshals Service. Mullen sits down to talk about the interview process, how he prepared, and his recommendations for Merrimack students’ professional development.
Q: Can you talk about your path to finding the U. S. Marshals Service internship?
A: I started at Merrimack as an engineering major but didn’t think it was for me after some time. My dad is a Boston cop and was in the Marines for years. I’ve lived in a structured household and I’ve always thought about doing what he does. Thinking that I would have more academic success, I talked to my dad and ended up switching my major to Criminology & Criminal Justice and ended up having the best semester I’ve had at Merrimack. My father introduced me to one of his connections, and I submitted an application.
Q: What was the interview process like?
A: Waiting for my interview, I was sitting next to a guy who looked much older and had a U.S. Marine button on his jacket, and as it turned out, he was also interviewing for the position. So that made my nervous. When I finally met with the interviewer, every time they asked questions, I just answered honestly. It was held in a big conference room with two interviewers. I had a resume with me and gave it to them. They asked questions like, Why are you interested in the U.S. Marshal service? What kinds of extracurricular activities do you do? Most of the questions were asked to evaluate what kind of person I was, to get a feel for what motivates me, and what kind of work ethic I could bring to the position.
Q: How did you prepare for the interview?
A: I did a lot of research about them. I made sure that I knew what they did, what their motto was, the history, and the year they began. I wanted to be able to recite things on their website almost word for word as best as possible. They asked me questions in the interview about their motto and what they do, so I was able to answer them.
Q: How was Merrimack able to help you in your career development?
A: I met with my advisor a few times, and she helped put my resume together, making sure it was formatted properly and helping me best market myself. They didn’t get the interview for me, but they definitely had a lot to do with my preparation and making me feel more comfortable with my ability to communicate during my interview. I’m grateful for the impact they had, and it made it much easier for me.
Q: Is there any advice you have for Merrimack students with regard to career development, interviewing or applying for positions?
A: It’s never too early to get an internship and meet your advisor. The more connections you make, the more people you can surround yourself with can have an absolute impact on your future employment. When you’re a freshman, you might think that you don’t need an internship, but you should try to get at least two internships before graduation. Also, you should read up on the company before interviewing because I haven’t met one person yet who hasn’t been questioned about the company itself when interviewing. Also, try not to be nervous and just try to imagine the interview as a conversation.
