People working in criminal justice can make a meaningful contribution to their community and society at large, besides taking opportunities to further develop their skill set and move onto more advanced positions. Best of all, getting started is not hard, and you can finish schooling without having to spend a large of amount of money.
What’s It like Having a Career in Criminal Justice?
People who pursue jobs in the criminal justice field can work at local police stations, forensic labs, prisons, or even local FBI branches. You could spend the majority of your time working in offices or being outside following suspects and gathering evidence, for example.
The main advantages of having a job in criminal justice in comparison to other fields are:
– A strong sense of purpose by contributing to public safety
– Having a varied and exciting job that offers intellectual challenges.
– Working for a steady salary, benefits, and having options to advance.
– Developing skills suitable for different careers and the job flexibility that comes with them.
What Kind of Education Is Required for Criminal Justice Careers?
While you can work some criminal justice jobs with a high school diploma, we suggest that you study for a bachelor’s degree. That way you will have more job opportunities, better pay, and a higher chance of getting a raise or getting promoted.
When studying for a job in criminal justice and earning your bachelor’s degree, it’s recommended that you add a second supplemental major in computer science, chemistry, or accounting, for example. The added knowledge can help you branch off into different directions such as forensics or digital crimes.
Completing a graduate-level degree can lead to even better pay and career opportunities, besides letting you teach and do research in your chosen niche.
What Jobs Are Available in the Criminal Justice Field?
Every job in criminal justice requires that you follow the law. Otherwise, there’s quite a lot of variety. Here are some examples:
Forensic scientist: This role requires the processing of crime scene evidence and work in a laboratory. You have to be precise and accurate not only in handling and testing evidence but also while writing reports and testifying.
Correctional counselor for the youth: As a youth correction counselor, your job is to work with offenders under the age of 18 and provide them with guidance while tracking their progress and helping them go back to a normal life.
Police patrol officer: In this role, your job is to respond to different calls relating to emergencies and criminal activities, to perform arrests, and help detectives during investigations.
What Is the Salary Like?
Criminal justice salaries vary based on location, rank, experience, education, and agency. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, [1] forensic science technicians earn a median salary of $27.99 per hour. On the other hand, police and detectives earn $30.47 per hour, while supervisors earn $44.76 per hour.
Conclusion
Since careers in criminal justice vary so much, it’s best that you first think of your preferences, skills, and what you expect from a job. Aside from that, you could consult people already working in this field through school and agency information sessions.
You can start your research online as it’s the quickest way to get to valuable information and compare different options.
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/forensic-science-technicians.htm
[2] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm