Criminal justice jobs are essential to a functional society.
Criminal justice can be an interesting major for those who are interested in society and how it is structured. Get a degree in this field, and you will be qualified for a number of potentially fulfilling careers in the field. Experience and additional education can open the door to even more job opportunities.
You Enjoy the Work
If you are considering a career in criminal justice, chances are you enjoy learning about what motivates criminal behavior and figuring out ways that criminality can be curtailed. The majority of criminal justice careers entail working closely with others -- either to control their behavior, as is the case with prison work, or to provide security to the population at large. Even if you are not a people person, you still may find a niche that's right for you. Statisticians in the field tend to do a lot of solo work, as do many private detectives and paralegals.
Law and Order Is Important to You
If you value living in an orderly, secure society, you might enjoy helping to create that experience for others. Working as a security officer, police officer or correctional officer can help you to feel that you are contributing to the safety of your community. People who are able to follow rules and who understand the reason for their implementation are often good at enforcing the rules as well. A job in the criminal justice field can provide assurance that you are doing meaningful work in society.
Steady Employment
Prisons and other correctional facilities won't be going away anytime soon. As of 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that job growth for prison employees and probation officers will be higher than average until at least 2018. Likewise, job growth is also expected to occur in other areas of the criminal justice field, including police work and the private detective field. Many of these job openings will be in government agencies, which typically provide good benefits and job stability.
You Want to Expand Your Career Options
When you choose a career in criminal justice, you are opening the door to many other career possibilities down the road. Once you gain experience working in corrections or law enforcement, if you want to change careers, you likely will find that opportunities abound for a person with your experience. Companies and public institutions will view you as trustworthy and will value your experience working with difficult people. Some hiring officers believe that if you can handle the stress of a job in the criminal justice field, you can handle anything.
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