{"id":3306,"date":"2025-11-24T11:44:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T16:44:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/csh\/?p=3306"},"modified":"2026-02-05T11:31:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T16:31:37","slug":"from-criminal-justice-to-corporate-impact-how-one-ball-state-alum-found-a-career-in-asset-protection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/csh\/2025\/11\/24\/from-criminal-justice-to-corporate-impact-how-one-ball-state-alum-found-a-career-in-asset-protection\/","title":{"rendered":"From Criminal Justice to Corporate Impact: How One Ball State Alum Found a Career in Asset Protection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Liberty Rister<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When most people think of a criminal justice degree, they picture law enforcement badges, courtrooms, or probation offices. But for Ball State graduate Grace Mills, the degree became the foundation for a career that blends investigation, leadership, and business strategy, in a place few might expect: Target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI always knew I wanted to study criminal justice,\u201d Mills said. \u201cI loved problem-solving, analyzing data, and helping people. Ball State stood out to me because of its reputation as one of Indiana\u2019s top programs, and because the smaller class sizes made it easier to connect with classmates and professors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That sense of connection would soon lead to an unexpected opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a class with Dr. Amy Beckett, Mills was introduced to the concept of Asset Protection, a field that applies criminal justice principles within the business world to prevent theft, protect people, and improve operations. At the time, the idea didn\u2019t seem like a career path. \u201cHonestly, I dismissed it,\u201d Mills admitted. \u201cBut then I attended the CJC Career Fair and met a Target representative who changed my mind. It\u2019s funny how things work out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discovering a New Side of Criminal Justice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Mills speaking at the<\/em> Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology career fair for current students. Photo by JB Bilbrey\/Ball State University.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After graduation, Mills was still exploring options, initially leaning toward becoming a probation officer. But at the 2022 Ball State Career Fair, a conversation with Target\u2019s asset protection team sparked a new direction. \u201cI was already minoring in business management and planning to get my MBA, so when I learned about how asset protection blends criminal justice and business, it immediately clicked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That conversation led to an interview, and a month later, a job offer. Today, Mills works as part of Target\u2019s Asset Protection team, helping safeguard stores, people, and operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each day brings something new. \u201cYou truly don\u2019t know what the day will bring,\u201d Mills said. \u201cOne day might include reviewing CCTV footage and writing reports, while another involves live surveillance or working with law enforcement on investigations. It\u2019s exciting and self-driven, there\u2019s always something to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where Justice Meets Business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For Mills, a criminal justice background has been key to success in retail asset protection. \u201cUnderstanding how the court system works and how to build partnerships with law enforcement is essential,\u201d she explained. \u201cThat knowledge helps with documentation, communication, and ensuring everything we do follows legal procedures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this role is about more than just security; it\u2019s also about leadership and impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cAsset protection allows me to use my investigative and problem-solving skills while also focusing on leadership, operations, and driving business results,\u201d Mills said. \u201cIt\u2019s the perfect mix of everything I enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Over time, Mills\u2019 goals evolved, too. After earning an MBA from Purdue, she began to view Target as a long-term career home. \u201cI hope to continue developing my skills and eventually become an AP Group Director,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advice for Future Cardinals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to advice for current criminal justice students, Mills emphasizes open-mindedness. \u201cKeep an open mind about where your skills can take you. There are so many careers out there that use your degree in ways you might not expect,\u201d she said. \u201cNetwork, job shadow, and ask questions; you never know where a conversation might lead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, she wishes she\u2019d gotten involved earlier. \u201cI wish I had joined more clubs, reached out to professors, and put myself in more networking situations. Those experiences can really open doors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breaking the Stereotype<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

For Mills, working in asset protection has proven that a criminal justice degree isn\u2019t limited to law enforcement; it\u2019s about understanding people, systems, and how to create safer communities, even within the private sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are so many directions a CJC degree can take you,\u201d Mills said. \u201cWhether it\u2019s business, data analysis, leadership, or investigation, you\u2019re not boxed into one path. This career has shown me how broad the field really is.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Photo by JB Bilbrey\/Ball State University.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

From protecting assets to leading teams, Mills\u2019 journey is proof that Ball State\u2019s criminal justice program isn\u2019t just preparing students for traditional law enforcement roles; it\u2019s preparing them to make an impact wherever their skills take them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information about the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, visit our <\/em>website<\/em><\/a>, contact <\/em>our office<\/em><\/a>, or follow us on <\/em>Facebook<\/em><\/a> and <\/em>Instagram<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Liberty Rister When most people think of a criminal justice degree, they picture law enforcement badges, courtrooms, or probation offices. But for Ball State graduate Grace Mills, the degree became the foundation for a career that blends investigation, leadership, and business strategy, in a place few might expect: Target. \u201cI always knew I wanted […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3307,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[17,44,39],"tags":[54,617,616,206],"class_list":["post-3306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-criminal-justice-criminology","category-students","tag-alumni","tag-asset-protection","tag-career-fair","tag-criminal-justice"],"yoast_head":"\nFrom Criminal Justice to Corporate Impact: How One Ball State Alum Found a Career in Asset Protection - 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