If you want to pursue a career in criminal justice, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can work in law enforcement, counselling, or social work, or even become a private investigator. I’m sure most people know that police officer is needed in every city, but did you know there are about 50% more criminal justice workers than cops?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were 656,000 police officers employed in the United States in 2016 but 1.2 million people were employed as security guards and correctional officers (another subset of law enforcement). That’s right: There are more jobs for those who protect us behind bars than on the streets!
Private investigators in the criminal justice system.
If you’re interested in helping others, consider a career as a private investigator or counselor. These careers are needed in the criminal justice system because they require individuals who can help people undergoing stressful situations.
Professional private investigators and counselors need to have specific skills and experience before they can take on these demanding roles. For example, private investigators must be able to carry out their duties while keeping detailed records of their findings and those records will most likely be used as evidence in court cases or during investigations. Counselors must also receive specialized training, so they know how to effectively counsel clients with problems ranging from substance abuse issues all the way up to murder charges!
However, both jobs do pay well (especially if you’re good at what you do). Plus there’s always room for advancement within your field so long as you keep working hard each day on behalf of others who need help most desperately.
Agencies need more mental health professionals.
Another mental health professional opportunity is in victim assistance. Many people who are victims of crime or disaster find that they need help coping with the aftermath of their experience. They may have been injured, lost property, or had a loved one killed. Mental health professionals are needed to provide them with counseling and support as they recover from their trauma.
The field of corrections offers career opportunities for those who have an interest in working directly with offenders and helping them with substance abuse problems, anger management issues, or other concerns that may cause criminal behavior. These professionals may work as counselors at community correctional facilities or prisons; they could also work in probation departments where they supervise offenders on parole or probation programs designed to prepare them for release back into society at large after serving time behind bars for their crimes.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a lot of statistics on criminal justice careers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has a lot of statistics on criminal justice careers. If you’re interested in finding out more about the field, it’s a good place to start. The BLS has information about the criminal justice system, including data on police officers and correctional officers. It also has statistics on other jobs that are related to law enforcement or security work, such as security guards and private investigators.
There’s more to a criminal justice career than being a police officer.
You might be surprised to learn that “criminal justice” is a broad term that includes many different careers. Police officers are just one type of criminal justice careers professional. Other types include lawyers (both prosecutors and defines attorneys), psychologists, social workers, corrections officers, and teachers.
There are also careers beyond police work that serve the public in ways like police work such as investigative journalists or forensics experts but don’t carry guns or don police uniforms. Even if you don’t want to become a police officer and carry a gun yourself, there are many other exciting options available to you in the field of criminal justice!
Criminal justice employers are looking for people with the right “soft skills”
Soft skills are those that are not directly related to the technical aspects of a job but are important for your ability to function well in your position. These include communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Soft skills can be learned through education or experience.
For example, A criminal justice careers agency may have an opening for an administrative assistant who will work directly with the public daily. They may be looking for someone who has excellent communication skills because they need him or her to be able to interact with clients in a professional manner when answering phone calls or taking messages from clients who want something done quickly (such as requesting police assistance).
Lawyers are looking for tech-savvy staff members.
Lawyers are looking for people with tech skills. It’s no secret that lawyers need tech-savvy staff members to help them complete their work. For example, you could be using your tech skills as an investigator or a paralegal to collect and organize evidence in preparation for a trial. Or you might be using your tech skills as an attorney when you’re representing clients in courtrooms across the country (or even around the globe).
Police chiefs want officers with good PR skills.
PR skills are becoming increasingly important to police officers. Police chiefs want officers with good PR skills, as they can build trust with the community and explain their actions to them. They’re also important for explaining the actions of other officers particularly when those actions have negative consequences.
The ability to communicate effectively is a powerful tool for law enforcement professionals because it allows them to clearly relay information about criminal activity in their jurisdiction and maintain credibility with citizens who may not agree with everything that’s being done by law enforcement agencies. Police departments look for people who know how to make others feel comfortable sharing information, which is an important part of doing their job well.
Professors of criminal justice need to have strong communication skills.
As a professor of criminal justice careers, you need to be able to communicate complex ideas in a way that is understandable to your audience. You will have to write papers and deliver lectures as well as hold conversations with students and colleagues. This requires strong communication skills. You can prepare for a criminal justice career while still in college by gaining experience working with vulnerable populations or persons in crisis.
Conclusion
Criminal justice is a fascinating, complex field that offers plenty of opportunities for those who are willing to put forth the effort. We hope this article has given you some insight into what it takes to get into this career path and how much more there is beyond police work.