Meet Donald Thomas II. Donald graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in May of 2015 and is now an entrepreneur.
Donald Thomas II: B.S. in Criminal Justice
We asked Donald some questions, advice for current students, and how UNT helped them to succeed and SOAR BEYOND!
When you started at UNT, what were your plans after graduation? How have these plans changed (if at all)? I just wanted to get a job, there was no solid plan, it was just to finish school and land any corporate job that paid well. Of course, over the past six years, things have changed the trajectory of my life. From family tragedy to global pandemics. I have found myself in and out of work. Ultimately I was tired of the temp agency game and wanted a change so I learned a skill which was photography and I haven’t looked back since.
What advice do you have for prospective or current students as they decide what they want their next steps to be (part-time jobs/interviews/internships/careers/etc.)? Take advantage of the resources that UNT has made available to you, talk to your advisors be transparent about your plans so that they can help you the best that they can.
How did your program(s) at UNT help you to feel prepared for your role/program/next steps? It gave me the vision to see what I didn’t see originally, which helped me navigate to where I’m at now. I received most of the help that I’ve gotten post-grad, utilizing the Career Center and things of that nature to help me find work.
If applicable, how did you find your current role/program (website, email, word of mouth, etc.)? I’m an entrepreneur, I became that once I worked in many jobs that I didn’t feel fulfilled in. The pandemic put the country in a tight spot and it put me in a pretty good spot.
What was the most challenging interview question you have been asked? The most challenging interview question I have been asked was during a group interview at the Dallas Museum of Art and was asked about how I would handle certain types of situations when parents and children are involved.
How, if applicable, did the Career Center help you? They gave me resume tips and access to Handshake, which is a hub of jobs that are
exclusive to UNT’s database.
Share anything else about your story/experience if you would like to that you haven’t already. I’m the representative of the not-so-perfect student who doesn’t have it all figured out. We live in a society where we praise the perfect and shun those who don’t figure it out on the first attempt. I represent that community on this campus that may fall, but I’m the definition of picking yourself back up.
Want to hear more from Don? Check out their testimonial video!
Would you like to be featured in our Soaring Beyond Success Series? Submit your story here and email Jeanette Hickl. We’d love to share your story!
