Dana Muskova
Crime and Intelligence Analyst
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
Jurupa Valley, CA USA
“Find something you love to do or that motivates you. Remember that you will spend majority of your life at work.”
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Moved to the US at the age of 17.
Attended Burlington High School to learn English and obtain a high school diploma.
Moved to California.
Received an AA degree from Cypress College.
Worked in retail, climbing the corporate ladder, until I realized what career path I wanted to pursue.
Went to California State University, Fullerton to obtain a Crime and Intelligence Analyst certificate.
Went to work for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department while completing a BS in Criminal Justice at CSUF.
Received MAS from University of California, Irvine.
Education
High School
Burlington High School
Burlington High School
Graduate
Social Ecology/Criminology
University of California, Irvine
Social Ecology/Criminology
University of California, Irvine
Bachelor
Criminal Justice
California State University, Fullerton
Criminal Justice
California State University, Fullerton
Certification/License
Crime and Intelligence Analysis
California State University, Fullerton
Crime and Intelligence Analysis
California State University, Fullerton
Career
Crime and Intelligence Analyst
I work on narcotics cases, gathering intelligence and connecting the dots.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Technology
Science
Helping People
Day to Day
Collecting data, developing hypotheses and testing them by subjecting them to statistical analyses; evaluating available information and determining analytical methods to be used; documenting conclusions in a manner which adheres to commonly accepted criminal justice research standards; conceptualizing and converting raw data to valid criminal intelligence information; creating association matrices and preparing telephone toll analysis, hierarchical analysis, visual investigation analysis, etc.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Find something you love to do or that motivates you. Remember that you will spend majority of your life at work.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Bachelor
Criminal Justice or Social Studies
Criminal Justice or Social Studies
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Teachers:
"You're really good at art so you should pursue an art degree. "
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
First-Generation Immigrant
Q&A
What did your parents do for a living?
Asked by Anonymous StudentMy mom had a cleaning job and my father was a painter.
Why did you choose to attend CSUF?
Asked by Anonymous StudentCSUF was the only college that had the program I wanted.
Did your parents talk to you about college?
Asked by Anonymous StudentIn Europe, you didn't end with eighth-grade education you had to go forward with your education. You had to do another four years. It didn't matter if it was college or trade you just had to do it.
What brings you meaning and purpose in your work?
Asked by Anonymous StudentBeing able to put people you know that should be in jail, in jail by locating them even with minimal information. Also being about to help locate missing children lets you know that you are doing something right
Interviewed By
Anonymous Student
Student at CSUF
