LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 24, 2023) — Joel didn't begin his career in education with any intention of pursuing a job with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) — let alone studying for his master’s degree online at the University of Kentucky.

“I taught for 13 years as a high school science teacher. My wife and I were having our second baby and determined we didn't make enough money to have another child,” said Joel (to protect his identity, we are only referencing Joel using his first name). “So, I decided to get a job at a lab, because I had a biology degree.”

But a surprise was in store.

After announcing to his class he wouldn’t be returning the following year, a student’s parents — who were employed by the FBI — suggested he consider a career with the agency.

“I went ahead and applied,” Joel said. “A year later, I headed off to the academy.”

Fast forward 19 years, he is making another career change — this time to serve the growing need for mental health services and resources for law enforcement and first responders.

Joel credits his own career and life experience as the inspiration behind his decision to specialize in social work.

“In this type of career, you see a lot of things that people shouldn't have to see, and it accumulates over time. I was having difficulty processing that, and I didn't know how to deal with it,” he said. “Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in the FBI was a beneficial resource for me. I became an advocate for EAP and was interested in...

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