RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. -- 19 new correctional officers were sworn in Rensselaer County. This ceremony comes after the officers completed an eight-week course. Graduates say working in corrections is a perfect first step in law enforcement

"Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to be in law enforcement, and hopefully this is a good way to become more involved with law enforcement, police officer, state trooper, whatnot," said graduate Brandon Dunham.

"What a lot of people don't think is this place is in one way or another a rehabilitation center. If we can take to these guys and make their day a little better because they always come to you with problems and we leave here and we know we were influential in one inmate’s life, we've made a difference," said another graduate, Donald Miller.

Graduates say they've developed a great camaraderie during training, one they hope to carry over on the job.