Existentialism

1: existence before essence

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4TH, 2009

The light click of your black heels meeting the tile floor could be heard over the chatter of the lecture hall. Placing your briefcase and coffee cup atop my desk, you walk around to the front to greet the class.

"Good morning everyone."

"Good morning Professor Y/l/n."

"How are y'all doing?"

After some yawns, you were met with their unanimous, monotone reply of, "Good."

Not that you could blame them. No one wants to take classes at the asscrack of dawn. It's just something one says they'll do to be "productive" and "get an early start". Then when the time comes, we're all regretting the decision.

Taking a look around the room you ask, "What are your plans after college?"

Murmurs could be heard across the class as reactions differed from confused looks, glancing at classmates and one student, Brandon, said, "I don't know. Work I guess."

With a light chuckle you continue, "Exactly. As a professor, it's my job to not only teach you material that goes towards your degree, but prepare you for life after college. It's one thing to earn a degree, but to be able with to use that to build a career outside this university is what's important."

"A degree in criminology, alongside those in similar areas, can provide you with numerous job opportunities. While this one may be extensive, one of the most prestigious is being a criminal profiler. Someone who uses backgrounds in areas including criminal psychology and human behavior to assist law enforcement in reprimanding offenders. Positions are available on local to federal levels, and today, I have two profilers from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit."

Gesturing towards the two men standing beside the door you welcome them into the class, "So if you'd welcome Supervisory Special Agents David Rossi and Dr. Spencer Reid."

The class filled with light applause as both agents made their way to either side of you. "Well I'd like to think we do more than just assist law enforcement, but I guess that's the gist," Dave began, to which you laugh breathily in response. "Though Professor Y/l/n is correct about the extensive demand for our line of work. Being prepared 24/7 and ready to drop everything to kick criminal ass isn't for everyone."

The students gave soft laughter before he continued, "As she mentioned I'm SSA David Rossi and this is my colleague and resident genius Dr. Spencer Reid," he said, as his younger counterpart gave a tight lipped smile and a short wave.

"This is for y'all more than it is for me so I'm going to sit back and let them take the reins. Please be attentive and ask questions if necessary." You add, rounding the corner to sit in the chair behind my desk as the two men began.

"How do we become a profiler," Willow asked. "Like are their certain degrees or necessary work we need to complete?"

"Most of us have done extensive post-graduate work in, uh, areas such as abnormal psychology and sociology," Dr. Reid replied, "A-as well as intensive study of relative case work and existing literature."

"But that's after selection to the unit, first you have to be an agent, work in the field, and that's what we're here to talk about," Dave added.

Just as he said that, a man slipped into the back of the classroom. It was quite obvious he wasn't a student. Come on, a 40-to-50 year old white man in white suit with gray, styled hair? You've never seen him on campus, but not wanting to interrupt, you let it slide.

"For that, the academics are wide open," he continued, gesturing towards the students, "Once you graduate, everyone, regardless of your course study, is eligible to apply to the FBI."