Criminal justice careers and jobs
Criminal Justice careers can be exciting and rewarding. They can range from trial lawyer to a paralegal that works with criminal defense lawyers, to a corrections officer working in state prisons, to a homicide detective who solves murders. Many government organizations need people who have a strong understanding of criminology and crime statistics. There are many support roles throughout the criminal justice and law enforcement community.
Career Trend for criminal justice majors:
The growing emphasis on homeland security has created an unprecedented demand for criminal justice and security professionals.
The U.S. Department of Labor has predicted that by 2010 there will be more than a 29?ncrease in the demand for FBI Agents, Police Officers, Private Detectives, U.S. Customs Agents and many others, but the growing emphasis on homeland security has created an unprecedented demand for criminal justice and security professionals.
What jobs are available for Criminal Justice Graduates?
The following list are some of the job titles of graduates with Criminal Justice major:
- Police officer
- Detective
- Criminal investigator
- Corrections, Parole, or Probation officer
- Warden
- Security investigator or specialist
- Lawyer
- Legal assistant
- Court administrator Judge or Magistrate
- Federal government [FBI, CIA, ATF, Customs, Secret Service, INS, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement]
- State [state trooper, SBI agent], Local law enforcement agencies, Arson specialist, Serology specialist or Fingerprinting specialist.
Who employ Criminal Justice major graduates?
- Federal, state and local government agencies
- Military branches/Defense agencies
- Security companies
- Private investigative services
- Businesses and retail stores
- Colleges and universities
- Law firms
- Private probation
Major Skills of criminal justice graduates
- Written & presentation skills
- Understanding societies' reaction to crimes
- Considerations of gender & race
- Quantitative skills
- High degree of physical fitness and ability to work under pressure
- Ability to work independently and as well as being part of a team.
- Understand and respect values and workings of the legal system.
- Ethics and moral values
- Strong background in humanities, social science, & natural science
Criminal justice Associates Program – Career / Job Outlook
The Associate in Science Degree in Criminal Justice offers a broad overview of the criminal justice system, providing graduates with entry-level career opportunities in a broad array of criminal justice environments.
Some career opportunities include:
- Corrections officer
- Security officer
- Social worker
Criminal Justice Bachelor's Program - Career / Job Opportunities
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice offers a specialized overview of the criminal justice system, preparing graduates for entry-level or middle-management positions in a broad array of criminal justice environments.
Some career opportunities include:
- Fraud investigator
- Loss prevention manager
- Detective
Criminal Justice Masters Program - Career / job Opportunities
The multi-faceted approach prepares you for employment in an agency or department within the criminal justice community. You will also broaden your skills by obtaining job-related knowledge and expertise in the specialized areas of law enforcement administration, corrections, juvenile justice, drug abuse, and abuse counseling.
Some career opportunities include:
- Forensics scientist
- Crime prevention specialist
- Criminal investigator
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice Degree offers a specialized overview of the criminal justice system, preparing graduates for management-level positions in a broad array of criminal justice environments.
Website:
http://www.directdegree.com/s/CriminalJusticeCareers.shtml Salaries:
According to the International City-County Management Association’s annual Police and Fire Personnel, Salaries, and Expenditures Survey, average salaries for sworn full-time positions in 2004 were as follows:
_____________Minimum annual______Maximum annual
Police chief .................$72,924 ......................$92,983
Deputy chief ..................61,110........................76,994
Police captain ..............60,908.........................75,497
Police lieutenant ..........56,115..........................67,580
Police sergeant ...........49,895..........................59,454
Police corporal ............41,793...........................51,661
Website:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos160.htm This site includes info such as: Significant Points, Nature of the Work, Working Conditions, Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement, Employment, Job Outlook, Earnings, Etc.
Related Occupations
Police and detectives maintain law and order, collect evidence and information, and conduct investigations and surveillance. Workers in related occupations include correctional officers, private detectives and investigators, and security guards and gaming surveillance officers.
FBI Special Agent
Typical Day:There is no such thing as a typical day for an FBI Special Agent. Every day is different. One day you could be testifying in federal court, the next day you could be conducting a search warrant and gathering evidence, the next day you could be executing an arrest warrant, and the next day you could be back in the office catching up on all the paperwork. As crimes occur, FBI Special Agents respond. This is definitely not a 9-to-5 career. FBI Special Agents are required to work a minimum of 10 hours per day. Basically 50 hours per week. The usual hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 till 5 with two hours of overtime every day.
Average Salaries:
Starting salary for an FBI agent is approximately $48,000 per year. You receive yearly salary increases. A senior grade Special Agent with 12 years in the FBI makes approximately $87,000 per year. You could make more, depending where you live because of locality pay.
Qualifications:
According to Wendy Osborne, "My advice to individuals interested in a career with the FBI is to make yourself diverse. Learn to speak a foreign language fluently. Take up a trade or develop a skill which would make you different from everyone else. Obtain an advanced college degree and gain some supervisory work experience."
Website:
http://www.utexas.edu/student/cec/careers/fbi_agent.html Private Detectives and Investigators
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos157.htm Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos159.htm Correctional Officers
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos156.htm For more salary information go to:
http://salaries.com.33496.fb.dbbsrv.com/ Salaries.com where you will find all you need to know about your potential income, salary comparisons, wage search, personal finance, employee benefits and more.
I hope all this could help you out. Check out the sites and there is a ton more of information.