subject: What Can You Do With A Criminal Justice Degree? [print this page] So you've graduated from college with a criminal justice degree. Or perhaps you're thinking about going back to school to get a criminal justice degree. And you're probably wondering to yourself, "What can I do with a criminal justice degree?"
Here are 3 options for the new criminal justice graduate can look forward to after they get their diploma.
Career No.1: Enforcing the Law
Law enforcement jobs might be the no.1 destination of criminal justice majors. And it's easy to see why: degrees of this kind undertake an examination of criminal trends--and a job in law enforcement is the logical extension of that area of study.
But what does working in law enforcement actually mean? Well, obviously, it includes working in state, town, county and city police departments. (This includes state troopers, CHP, police officers.)
But there is also the federal career path--this would entail positions with the FBI, DEA, ATF--and the ultra-competitive CIA.
Career No.2: Working With Prisoners
Another great way to go is as a probation officer. While those working in law enforcement are charged with apprehending offenders, probation officers work to return offenders to society and help them contribute in a meaningful way.
If are interested in how the criminal justice system works, have great communication skills, and really like to listen to people then you would make a great candidate for a career in probations.
Career No.3: Counseling Others
Though it has much in common with a probation position, being an institutional counselor has much less competition and can be very rewarding. So what is the position?
Well, the position basically is that of a social services counselor. It's like a social worker position, but focused squarely in an adult or juvenile correctional setting.
Like the probation officer position, it does require great communication skills and the ability to listen effectively. It can also require advanced schooling, such as an advanced degree in social services.
But one way to break into a position like this is to get a gig as a social services assistant. (Some places will even sponsor you while you're still in school.)
