Criminal Justice Careers Not Your Fathers Police Beat - CareerAlley

Criminal Justice Careers Not Your Fathers Police Beat - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. If youre attending one of the countrys criminal justice colleges, you may be wondering exactly what youre going to do with your degree once its in your hands. The field is wide open today; you are no longer re-stricted to becoming a police office. Here are five career paths that you can choose once youve earned your criminal justice degree: 1.Lawyer If you have an interest in the law and how it works for victims and criminals alike, becoming a lawyer may be the best choice for you. As a lawyer, you will be asked to represent clients as they navigate their way through the various legal processes. There are many areas of law on which to concentrate, and your criminal justice degree will give you a solid foundation as you move onto law school. 2.Probation Officer Because our nation simply does not have the room to house every criminal, probation officers are in high demand. As a probation officer, youll be responsible for keeping track of offenders, make sure they are following the terms of their probation, and providing pre-sentencing reports that recommend sentences for the accused if they are convicted. The job is full of myriad of pa-perwork and to enjoy being a probation officer, you should be an organized person with an eye for detail. 3.Correctional Officer Correctional officers work in our countrys city and county jails, as well as state- and privately-run prisons. As a correctional officer, you will be responsible for the care, custody and control of male and female inmates, and possi-bly even juveniles. The field of corrections can be dangerous, and you must be able to keep your wits about you at all times. The job can be exciting at times and monotonous at others, but can also be a very rewarding one. Not only will you be responsible for inmates, but you will be responsible for the safety of yourself and your fellow officers. 4.Crime Scene Examiner Crime scenes are ripe with clues just waiting to be found, and as a crime scene examiner, it will be your job to find them. You may investigate scenes of traffic accidents, minor crimes or even murders. It will be your job to not only find and collect evidence, but to protect the scene from contamination. If you have an inquisitive mind, enjoy puzzles and have an interest in science, becoming a crime scene examiner, your criminal justice degree is the ticket to enter this exciting career field. 5.Fish and Game Warden Fish and game wardens are responsible for patrolling fishing and hunting grounds, ensuring the sportsmen are following the letter of the law. These professionals are the first step in making sure that local wildlife is sustained. As a warden, you will have the authority to cite, detain and arrest individuals who are violating the laws of fishing and hunting. You may also be responsible for investigating commercial fishing companies, perform rescue operations and inspect crop damage. If you are struggling with the thought of being stuck in an office for the next 30 years of your life, becoming a fish and game warden will keep you outdoors and in action. As you prepare for your job search, its important to understand the vast number of options that you have. A criminal justice degree doesnt mean you have to walk the same beat as your police officer father. Begin exploring your options today and you can have the career of your dreams in just a few short years. Author Karen Boyarsky is an avid blogger. You can follow her on Twitter @Boyarsky_kareni. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook