Finding purpose beyond the badge: Amanda Parlow ’25 discovers meaning in nonlinear career path

Inspired by her father’s career in law enforcement, Amanda Parlow ’25 initially pursued patrol work. Despite gaining valuable soft skills, Parlow struggled to find fulfillment in a series of customer-facing and security roles, and soon realized her calling lay elsewhere in the justice system.

She then took a volunteer role with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Reserve in Wisconsin, which helped her see the criminal justice field from a different angle and opened doors to positions within corrections and county justice programs.

“Working in a jail setting gave me firsthand exposure to individuals struggling with substance use, mental health challenges, poverty, and trauma. Over time, I realized that many people entering the justice system were not simply ‘offenders,’ but instead individuals who lacked adequate support, treatment, or resources long before their arrest,” said Parlow. 

That volunteer experience ultimately led to her current role as case manager in the Monroe County Operating While Intoxicated Treatment Court. Today, her work combines accountability with treatment, supervision, and long-term recovery support, and she works with a team to address the root causes of criminal behavior. Seeing participants regain employment, reconnect with family, and pursue education reinforced Parlow’s belief that “recovery and accountability can coexist.”

To continue her growth, she earned a Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice online at Aurora University in spring 2025.

“Returning to higher education as an adult student while working full time was challenging, but it became one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made,” she said. “AU provided an environment that encouraged both academic growth and personal reflection.”

During her time at AU, Parlow valued the connection between classroom learning and real-world practice, which strengthened her professionalism and advocacy skills.

“It also reinforced the importance of empathy, collaboration, and meeting individuals where they are, rather than defining them solely by their mistakes,” she explained.

Today, Parlow also serves as board president of the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals, supporting training, advocacy, and efforts to expand treatment court access across Wisconsin.

“Much of my focus centers on increasing support for rural communities, where treatment resources, transportation, and recovery services are often limited, despite significant need,” she noted.

Looking back, she now appreciates her nonlinear path.

“I’ve learned that purpose is not always immediate, and success is not defined by following a perfectly planned route. Sometimes the most meaningful careers develop gradually through persistence, openness to change, and a willingness to keep moving forward even when the destination is unclear,” she said.

For students and graduates navigating the uncertainty she once felt, Parlow shared the following advice: “Remain open to opportunities you may not have originally considered. The work that ultimately fulfills you may look very different from what you first imagined. For me, that unexpected path led to a career centered on helping people rebuild their lives, and I cannot imagine being anywhere else.”