While pursuing her bachelor’s as a full-time student in Legal Studies with a minor in English, Moneé S. Hill was involved as dual athlete for Stevenson University’s dance team and women’s track and field team. Upon graduating in December 2015, she continued to participate in track and field during her first semester of graduate school and volunteered as a coach. Apart from athletics and classes, she was very involved within the Stevenson community through her volunteer work with multiple clubs. Some of Moneé’s roles included student ambassador, peer tutor, President of R.E.A.L Peer Educators, and team captain for track and dance.
While earning her bachelor’s, Moneé was indecisive about law school. Towards her senior year, she decided to continue her education with a master’s degree and was introduced to the Forensic Studies program at Stevenson University Online. Prior to graduating with her Forensic Studies master’s degree, Moneé worked full time at the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office as a Paralegal in Circuit Court for almost a year. Previously she worked at the State’s Attorney’s Office and as a Paralegal for Goldman & Goldman, P.A. We recently were able to speak to Moneé about her journey at Stevenson and beyond.
What is your current position and what does it involve?
I currently work at Morgan Stanley in our Legal and Compliance Department, specifically within the Global Financial Crimes, Legal Advisory Group. My work involves a tremendous amount of reviewing, analyzing, researching, and investigating for anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, sanctions, and regulations. We are a global team with other members in New York, London, and Hong Kong, while I am the sole team member in Baltimore. Being the only one here from my team in our Baltimore office. You really have to have a self-motivating personality and luckily I do, but not physically communicating with your team can be a challenge sometimes, though we do business Skype and emails regularly. The most fulfilling aspect of my job is that I am doing what I love. I love interacting with people, learning, and making myself better at what I do every day.
How did the faculty and staff at Stevenson help you reach your education or career goals?
I am a firm believer that Stevenson has some of the best faculty and staff. One of my professors in the Forensics Studies program who taught the Evidence course actually helped me secure my job at the State’s Attorney’s Office. The faculty at Stevenson are not just teaching about the field, most of them have experience actually working in the field, which I believe makes teaching more relatable and personal for the students. My Enrollment Counselor and Student Success Coach were very supportive in helping me on board and acclimate with the program. In addition, the staff in Career Services is amazing. From my freshmen year until the end of my graduate career, I pretty much lived in Career Services. Connie Harrington was one staff member who I communicated with almost weekly. They provide so many resources for students and alumni that are really incomparable to any other university and college I know of. They helped me get all my jobs I currently have including the most recent at Morgan Stanley.
What advice would you give to anyone starting out in the forensics field?
In my opinion, the ability to think critically, have attention to detail, self-motivation, and good interpersonal skills are invaluable as an investigator. The most important things I have learned so far are that hard work and dedication will always get you far in life and to always do what you love. My advice to anyone starting out in the field would be to work hard and embrace opportunities, resources, and relationships that you can build from the faculty, staff, and peer at SU.
What are a few hobbies and interests of yours?
Running, going to the gym, yoga, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Who inspires you?
My oldest brothers named Montel and Morgan inspire me. They are young professionals working in their careers and doing what they love and are thriving.