What Can You Do with a Criminal Justice Degree?
Exploring the Many Career Paths with this Versatile Degree
Whether you are working towards a degree in Criminal Justice or already have one, you may wonder what job opportunities are available to you. The good news is that the field of Criminal Justice is vast and is constantly expanding, providing great job stability and opportunities for personal and professional development. In this article, we will explore some of the many options and career paths available to those with a Criminal Justice degree. We will also provide career planning guidance, discuss advancements in technology, and explore transferable skills to help you prepare for a successful career.
Specific Job Roles
Exploring Different Roles in Criminal Justice
Criminal justice provides job opportunities in various areas of specialization, including law enforcement, legal systems and public safety. Some of the common jobs in this field include police officers and detectives, probation officers, forensic science technicians, court clerks, judges and legal assistants, and private investigators. These jobs offer great salaries and excellent job outlooks in the long run.
A Police Officer is responsible for the safety of citizens and provides assistance during emergencies. They are also in charge of law and order in the society. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary of a police officer is over $65,000 per year. Their employment is expected to grow by 5% from 2019 to 2029.
A Probation officer assists individuals on probation or parole in their process of reintegrating back into society. They monitor progress, establish program plans, and track rehabilitation and recovery. The BLS reports the median salary of a probation officer is above $54,000 per year, and their employment is expected to grow by 4% from 2019 to 2029.
A Forensic Science Technician examines physical evidence, evaluate data and assist in criminal investigations. The BLS reports the median salary of a forensic science technician is over $60,000 per year, and their employment is expected to grow by 14% from 2019-2029.
Alternative Career Paths
What Other Career Options are Available in Criminal Justice?
Other than working in law enforcement, one alternative career path is working for the private sector. As a Criminal Justice graduate, you can work for multinational organizations or local businesses in compliance departments, risk management positions, or as consultants in security and protection. Private security services need investigators to perform background checks, security screenings, and protection services for their clients. These jobs usually offer better salaries and opportunities for growth and development.
In addition, there are other ways to serve the public other than law enforcement. Individuals can work with non-profits, social services, or government organizations involved with juvenile justice, public health, and disaster management. This offers career paths in administration, case management, counseling, or statistics.
Career Planning Guidance
Preparing for a Successful Career in Criminal Justice
Choosing the right concentration or specialty is the first step to a successful career in criminal justice. Specializing in a particular field helps in achieving expertise and acquisition of more skills that could potentially contribute to salary raises and promotions. Completing internships in the industry is an excellent way to gain hands-on practical experience while building your professional reputation. Networking also helps in building relationships with professionals in the field to increase your chances of landing a job after graduation.
After graduation, it is crucial to search extensively through job sites, network, and apply through job agencies to land a job in the field of your choice. Maintain high ethical and professional standards to build a successful career in criminal justice.
Advancements in Technology in Criminal Justice
The Influence of Technology on the Industry
Technology has revolutionized criminal justice. With rapid technological advancements, new jobs have come about for specialists in digital forensics, cyber security, and data analysis and management. In digital forensics, specialists extract digital evidence from computer systems, mobile phones, and other devices during investigations. In cybersecurity, experts protect organizations from cyber attacks, data breaches, and prevent unauthorized access to information systems. In data analysis and management, specialists efficiently analyze data from various sources and interpret records. These areas have high salaries and high job outlooks.
Transferable Skills
Skills for Use in Other Settings
One of the most significant and valuable advantages of a Criminal Justice degree is the development of transferable skills that are usable in other fields. These skills include critical thinking, communication, research and analysis, problem-solving, and ethics. Learning how to precisely analyze data and construct arguments are assets that can be applied in management, marketing, or social work positions. Problem-solving and critical thinking techniques can be used in any corporation setting, while knowledge in ethics and law can be useful in human resources or consultancy.
Conclusion
Exploring Endless Possibilities with a Criminal Justice Degree
Criminal Justice is an industry that offers endless opportunities. With specializations and skills acquired, graduates can opt for consultancy firms, law firms, public or private sectors, and government institutions. While it may seem as though such a diverse field poses risk, it is indeed quite the opposite. Criminal Justice graduates are in high demand and earn competitive salaries. As such, a Criminal Justice degree is an excellent investment in a career that will provide opportunities to make a difference in the world.
For individuals looking for a challenging and rewarding career that offers multiple opportunities, Criminal Justice should be at the top of the list as a potential career path. We hope that this guide has been helpful in offering insight into what you can do with a Criminal Justice degree and in highlighting the endless possibilities that a degree in Criminal Justice can offer.