Finding the Right Criminal Justice Career for You

A generation ago, pursuing a career in criminalyoung life around, but it takes strong a
justice usually meant either becoming a policepersonality. You need to be a person who can
officer or working in a legal field. But today, thehandle the discouragement, as well.
criminal justice field offers dozens of differentThe criminal justice field is growing rapidly, and
opportunities to serve the public. In fact, it can becollege degrees are evolving to keep pace. With
very confusing when you discover how manyscientific investigative methods also constantly
different degrees are offered. It can be difficult toimproving, new fields continue to emerge. Be sure
choose what type of degree to get for the kindyou talk to several schools and find one that
of career in which you're interested.offers a program that's a good fit for you. Some
First, determine what kind of criminal justiceof the programs now offered include Criminal
career you want to focus on. Perhaps you wantJustice/Forensic Science, which focuses upon
to focus on being a police officer or a sheriff. Incollecting and analyzing the forensic evidence at
many parts of the country, you can become acrime scenes. Blood, trace evidence, and gunshot
police officer or sheriff by going to a localresidue are examples of these types of evidence.
academy without a college degree. However, aCriminal Justice/Juvenile Justice programs offer a
college education will help you earn promotionsthorough base of knowledge in juvenile law,
more quickly. If you want to be a state (rathercorrectional counseling, and community outreach.
than local) police trooper, you may need to get aThe program enables graduates to be juvenile
Bachelor's degree before entering the academy.counselors, probation officers or juvenile social
So, it's always a good idea to check theworkers. Criminal Justice/Private Security
requirements by talking to officers in your area.programs focus on discovery, search and seizure
There are also several investigative careers thatas well as special investigations with an eye
you might enjoy if you have good science skills.toward becoming part of a private security force
These include forensic sciences, behavioralfor a school, government or business.
sciences and forensic psychology. Graduates withThe list of programs in which you can major is
degrees in these specialties can work for crimeextensive, including various specialties such as
labs within police departments at the state andHomeland Security, Private Investigations and
local levels, or work for the federal governmentFraud Examination. Criminal justice workers can
through the FBI, CIA or the Bureau of Alcohol,find rewarding jobs within the government, in the
Tobacco and Firearms.private sector or with a law firm. You'll work
If the inner workings of the legal system appealclosely with others who, like you, respect the law
to you, perhaps a career as a probation officer,and want to contribute to upholding it while also
juvenile justice worker or social worker would beearning a good living. Another perk is that others
a good fit. These are all positions where you helpwill look at you with respect when they know
implement the punishment or rehabilitation aspectsthat you've dedicated yourself to a career that
of the criminal justice system. As a juvenilestands for law and order.
justice worker, it can be very rewarding to turn a