Thomas J Doyle - Career Planning in Criminal Justice

We are pleased to bring to you this new edition of Career Planning in Criminal Justice. The importance of this book is even more apparent today than when it was first published in 1990, as the nature of work in this field continues to evolve, expand, and become more competitive. Students not only need to be informed of the various employment possibilities in this field, they also need to be armed with the information regarding how to assess information using the latest technology in order to be well prepared to obtain employment upon graduation.

Today's criminal justice professional is expected to be well-educated, possessing both strong writing and communication skills. There is also pressure for prospective candidates to be better trained in a variety of specialized areas as the work becomes increasingly complex and technical. Glamorized and lured by what seems to be an endless array of television shows depicting today's criminal justice professionals, there has been an increase in the number of students pursuing these careers. Across the country, criminal justice educational degree programs are being developed to meet student demand. Increased student interest fosters increased job competition, particularly for those positions considered most prestigious (e.g., the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secret Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration). Although employment in this career field can be competitive, diverse opportunities exist especially for those who are well prepared. Given the unfortunate fact that crime exists and continues to rise, employment opportunities in areas that ensure the safety of our society will continue to be favorable, particularly at the entry level. Recent data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that careers in protective services are expected to rise faster than average, although keen competition for the higher paying careers is noted.

Where will these opportunities exist? Career opportunities in criminal justice generally can be categorized into five major fields: law enforcement, the courts, corrections, forensic science, and private security. In these career fields, criminal justice professionals function to prevent and control crime, shield the public from harm, provide detention and rehabilitation services, and finally, ensure equal justice for all citizens through the judicial system. Job opportunities exist at the federal, state, and local levels of governmental jurisdiction. The private sector has also demonstrated an increasing need to employ criminal justice professionals within its organizations and agencies.

This book introduces the range of employment opportunities that exist, while emphasizing that choosing and attaining employment in the criminal justice system will be largely dependent upon successful planning and preparation. Regardless of whether you are just beginning college or are ready to graduate, you must first actively engage in a career development process that not only includes gaining information about the criminal justice field, but knowledge about yourself as well as your values, interests, and abilities in relation to a career choice.

This book is meant to be a practical guide in that it provides you with the essential information needed for planning a career in criminal justice. Each chapter is designed to help you accomplish this task, although some chapters may be more relevant to you and your individual needs.

describes why career planning and education are important. Since a college degree is becoming an increasingly important prerequisite for employment in the criminal justice field, several strategies are provided to help you make the best of your college experience.

In , you will be introduced to a variety of occupations within the law enforcement, corrections, courts, forensic science, and private security fields. While it would be impossible to cover all of the opportunities that exist in these fields, you will find a representative sampling of occupations in this book. Job responsibilities and qualifications for employment will be discussed. Specific salaries have been omitted deliberately because they vary greatly, depending upon education, experience, and geographic region. However, timely, specific wage information is not difficult for you to obtain on your own.

Subsequently, in you will be provided a chance to hear from some criminal justice professionals. This material is intended to illustrate realistic, accurate descriptions of some of the careers within this field, as seen through the eyes of those who actually perform these jobs. It is hoped that you will find this section interesting and informative.

strongly urges you to test the waters. In other words, you are advised to gain relevant work experience in a particular field through volunteering. The concept of enrolling in an internship program is discussed as the best means of learning about criminal justice careers firsthand. Engaging in such a process will increase the likelihood of your attaining a career that is best suited to your interests and abilities.