Criminal Justice Careers

When we say “criminal justice jobs” different people have different ideas of what we are talking about. Some people see a courtroom in session and others see the gray walls of a prison. Still others might see police officers. The fact is that you are not restricted from the field unless you are a lawyer or security guard. The criminal justice field is one of the most rapidly growing career choices according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics and the range of different jobs that are available are simply staggering. A good example of the diversity in the field is forensics. You can work in forensics if you are not a doctor or finger print expert. There are forensic psychologists jobs, document forensics, computer forensics and many more. At the same time if you are an accountant you may work for the FBI, CIA or Homeland Security helping to trace the money of tax evaders or even terrorists.

While the courts and prison systems comprise a significant part of the criminal justice system most people will work with a police agency at least once during their career. Many people work as employees at local prisons while attending studying Criminal Justice either at local Universities, like Sam Houston State University in Texas. Low ranking prison guards, even in States with bad economies, earn more than $12 an hour and some States have tuition reimbursement programs if you work in the prison while studying criminal justice. In many cases people decide to keep their job in the prison system and to use their education to advance in the field. A prison Warden, who generally has at least 15 years experience, can earn more than $100,000 per year in some States, especially when benefits are considered like free housing, medical care and in many cases transportation.

The most fascinating area of criminal justice however is police work. When you work with the police you have the opportunity to investigate crimes, help crime victims and arrest criminals. You can also work in a supporting role in administration, transportation, or medical services. You can even work for Internal Affairs, the agency responsible for investigating police misconduct or illegal activities: The police for the police. There are many Criminal Justice Careers but none is more oriented to public service than the police. From learning how to become a police officer to using modern technology to analyze a crime scene, to counseling the victims of crimes and saving children from abusive situations, police work is very rewarding. It can be challenging as well though and most police departments require at least an Associate’s Degree in Criminology or Psychology before you can be admitted to the Police Academy.