TOWSON, Md. – Towson University women's soccer Cierra DiSabato is now in her third season with the Tigers who are 5-1-1, 1-0-1 CAA to start the 2023 season. Not only is she putting in the work on the field for the Tigers, DiSabato is also excelling off the field.

DiSabato had the opportunity to complete an internship with the New Jersey State Police Crime Scene Unit this past summer where she got real world experience. Some of her duties included observing a forensic anthropologist on bone cleanings and reconstruction, as well as joining detectives digging up bones from a cold case in the 90s and visiting a morgue.

"Going to the morgue was fun. I've always wanted to work as a medical examiner or in autopsy but just seeing how we can help people was a big thing for me," said DiSabato. "The police side of things makes me nervous, and I commend the people who can do that, but I want to be able to help in some way and working in forensics to help solve crimes is a way I can help."

This was not the first time DiSabato worked with law enforcement. The Manalapan, N.J. native also had an internship last summer with the Ocean City (MD) Police Department. While that internship followed the department on the law side, her time this summer was something she knows will help her in the future.

"The knowledge I've learned through this internship will help me standout because most people will not have the chance to gain this type of experience right away," DiSabato said. "Having worked with the New Jersey State Police can help me have an in with them and hopefully help me get a job right away after graduation."

The forensic chemistry major and biology minor was grateful for the real-world experience she gained on the job. Her knowledge gained from the internship will give her a leg up on her peers when she goes to enter the workforce when she graduates. This experience holds more meaning for DiSabato because her ultimate goal is to work with a state agency and the experience gained this summer will go a long way toward achieving that goal.

Furthermore, DiSabato had an opportunity that not many people, especially those with little experience, get the chance to experience. She was able to attend the 28^th Annual Advanced Homicide Investigation Conference at Princeton University. The conference featured presentations and lectures on interview and interrogations, forensic pathology, blood splatter analysis, crime scene reconstruction and even a case study on a cold case.

"Being able to listen to exclusive lectures that I would not have been able to hear until years down the road was nice. The conference was mostly detectives, which means you have been in the field for a very long time. There were some other interns there and we were amazed that we have never experienced this kind of stuff and we are learning everything as we go which was a great experience."
                   















However, it was the lectures that really stood out for the junior. She was even able to purchase a book and have it signed by the author who gave a lecture. As much as DiSabato was enjoying learning from people in the field, the author was also amazed at the experience she was able to gain.

"I bought a book from one of the lecturers and he signed it for me. He told me that he loved that were able to be there even though you are young and have no experience, to have the chance to take notes and learn valuable knowledge in the field before you enter the field yourself will help you go a long way."



While the internship experienced this summer will help DiSabato in her future career, she also had to balance training for the upcoming soccer season. She would go to her internship during the day and practice two nights a week while also running to make sure she was prepared for the season.

But that balance between the two will serve her well during the school year.

"To have the mindset of I need to get my schoolwork done and I'm also a Division I athlete is an important balance. Having the internship over the summer puts your mentality in check since it is the summer, and you want to have fun, but you also must get work done and be training constantly."

"It's important to get these internships to help guide you. Cierra was a lifeguard last summer and she realized that was not for her and I am excited she is intrigued by this opportunity," head coach Katherine Vettori said. "Cierra is a great student, and she balances being a student-athlete very well. That will transition to the next phase of her life."

DiSabato has appeared in 18 career games in the midfield and on defense for the Tigers.

        

DiSabato and the Tigers are in the middle of their 2023 season, looking to make history for Towson after reaching the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Semifinals for the first time in 2022. While soccer and getting her degree are the primary focus for DiSabato in the current moment, she is already taking steps to further herself off the field and setting herself up for success when she graduates because of the knowledge and experience through her internship.