*update*: Duyen Luong is currently a Senior Evaluator for Correctional Services Canada.
Duyen Luong completed a MA in the Applied Social Psychology, Forensic Concentration, at the University of Saskatchewan in 2007. During the course of her MA program, she completed contract program evaluation work with the then Saskatchewan Department of Corrections and Public Safety. After completing the MA program, Duyen moved to Ottawa to start a position as an Evaluation Officer with the Evaluation Branch of Correctional Service Canada (CSC). Since 2009, Duyen has been working as a Senior Evaluator with the Evaluation Branch and has managed project teams to complete evaluations of CSC programs, policies, and initiatives.
“My research interests include offender risk assessment, offender case management, sex offender treatment, violent offenders, and program evaluation. At CSC, I conduct evaluations on the effectiveness of programs, policies, and initiatives.”
Duyen says her position requires organizational skills and the ability to multitask.
“In addition, I find versatility and flexibility, for example, learning new skills, adapting to new work environments, working with people with various educational and professional backgrounds, to be very important assets,” she says.
Previously, Duyen has worked as a Research Analyst for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and a Senior Research Analyst for Nipissing University and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
Duyen attends conferences to stay informed about the most recent research and practices. She will also be presenting her own research in upcoming conferences. She says networking is a crucial part of the job search process.
“Prior to my position with CSC, none of the research positions that I have held in this field were advertised or posted. I started by volunteering for a psychologist who was a guest speaker for one of my courses. The volunteer position led to paid opportunties. Over the course of my graduate studies, my faculty supervisors wave been the most important individuals in helping me to find work opportunities in the field of my studies,” she says.
“The key to success is staying motivated and driven. I think it is very important to realize that work is not life — especially in the field of forensics. If you cannot recognize when you need to take a break, you may be susceptible to burnout."