Called to Duty: A Career in Criminal Justice

by Clare Kaufman

It's the day you busted the local drug dealer. It's the day your closing argument took another felon off the streets. It's the day you foiled a hacker. Or maybe it was the day you played basketball down at the Boys & Girls club as part of a crime prevention program. These victories inspire a criminal justice worker and keep them striving to do more.

Criminal justice can be challenging--whether you're a lawyer, an INS agent, or a prison guard, you can be stepping into a volatile situation. As one police officer observes, "you're not normally called when someone's having a good day." But you can certainly make someone's day better. Few careers offer such a direct opportunity to help people and build stronger, more stable communities.

The Three C's of Criminal Justice

Criminal justice encompasses the three major areas: law enforcement, legal prosecution, and corrections, sometimes referred to as "Cops, Courts, and Corrections." These three agencies operate at all levels of government: local, state, and federal. Job titles range from paralegal to park ranger. CIA agent, sheriff, probation officer, attorney, counter intelligence agent, forensic investigator, the range of criminal justice opportunities is extensive. In addition, the private sector employs criminal justice specialists in areas such as corporate and computer security.

Many criminal justice careers begin with a two-year associate's degree in criminal justice or a related field. The Associate of Science qualifies graduates for entry-level positions in policing, private investigation, corrections, probation and parole, private protective security, computer security, and homeland security. In addition, criminal justice graduates can focus their abilities with a specialized certificate; options include terrorism, national security management, corrections, forensic psychology, crime scene technician, and computer security.

Advanced careers in criminal justice require a bachelor's degree or higher. Federal agents, parole officers, and higher-level administrators typically need at least an undergraduate degree. Attorneys and judges must attend a three-year post-baccalaureate law school and earn a J.D. before they can practice.

Career Outlook

Aspiring criminal justice professionals can look forward not only to a personally rewarding career, but also to a strong job market with plenty of opportunities for advancement. Rising crime, tougher legislation, and a dramatic increase in national security funding has fueled unprecedented demand for qualified criminal justice personnel. Increased urban crime has police, probation, and parole offices scrambling for new hires. The Department of Homeland Security received a 6% budget boost for 2007, raising its funding to $42.7 billion. And in the private sector, new opportunities in corporate security are driving demand; private security specialists and investigators are among the nation's fastest growing occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Criminal justice careers are not for everyone. But for those called to the profession, criminal justice offers an unparalleled opportunity for public service. As one law enforcement officer put it, "the reward of returning a lost child home, or arriving at a doorstep and seeing someone sigh with relief--that's what makes it all worthwhile."

Sources: AllCriminalJusticeSchools.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Homeland Security "Skilled Techies are Needed for Defense and Homeland Security," DiversityCareers.com, WorldWideLearn.com

About the Author: Clare Kaufman is a freelance writer and editor. She has also taught college writing and completed a Ph.D. in English.