Best Careers for Criminal Justice Professional Graduates

A diploma or degree in criminal justice can lead to several equally rewarding and practical career opportunities. These disciplines relate to professions associated with law enforcement and public safety. This article will identify some of the best career choices for criminal justice graduates. New field graduates may need additional education or experience to obtain these positions. Still, they are worth the extra effort, as all of these can make a positive difference in society.

Law Enforcement Officer

Law enforcement is a common career choice for criminal justice graduates. This mainly entails safeguarding communities against criminal behavior, enforcing laws, and maintaining social order. Police officers, sheriffs, and detectives fall under this category, often forming the response team to emergencies and playing an essential role in crime prevention and investigation.

The job requires police officers to undergo rigorous training at police academies to develop the physical and mental skills for these challenges. It can be demanding, but it provides an opportunity to visibly and tangibly serve the community.

Probation Officer

Probation officers deal with individuals placed on probation instead of being condemned to prison. Their principal duties are monitoring such individuals and ensuring they abide by the conditions in their judgments. Probation mainly consists of regular meetings, drug testing, and support to help probationers return to the right path in society.

Forensic Science Technician

Forensic science technicians, also known as crime scene investigators, collect and perform physical evidence analyses at a crime scene to seek justice. They cooperate with law enforcement to solve crimes and prove guilt.

This career demands a strong science background, attention to detail, and the ability to keep objective under pressure. Often specializing in DNA analysis, fingerprinting, or toxicology, forensic science technicians are critically skilled professionals in disclosing the truth during investigations of certain crimes.

Corrections Officer

Correctional officers oversee individuals who have been arrested and charged and await trial, or who have been sentenced to jail or prison. They maintain order within a correctional facility by enforcing rules and regulations and endeavoring to avert disturbances through enhanced security measures.

This role requires good communication and conflict-resolution skills. Correctional officers should be able to work well under pressured conditions and ensure the safety of the inmates and facility staff.

Private Investigator

Private Investigators, most commonly known as PIs, are individuals employed by a suite of clients (usually lawyers, business enterprises, or law firms) to conduct investigations outside the public law enforcement domain. They gather information, shadow people, and interview identity holders to crack a case of a missing person or an act of fraud. This highly independent career requires analytical skills in thinking, resourcefulness, and perseverance. Private investigators often get involved with different cases, making this profession exciting and dynamic.

Building a Career in Criminal Justice

If making a difference in society interests you, a criminal justice career may suit you. Consider enrolling in a comprehensive Criminal Justice program like the one offered by Northwest Career College. As a trade school, Northwest Career College offers highly focused programs to ensure your overall success in the chosen field of criminal justice career.