Criminal Justice Career Goals

My desire for a career in law enforcement started while pursuing my undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida. As a freshman biology major with hopes of becoming a Radiologist, it did not take me long to realize the medical field was not for me. Peers in my classes had a passion and interest for the material that I did not possess. My grades poorly reflected the type of student I was. Realizing it was time for a change, at the end of my sophomore year I started seeking guidance. Unbeknownst to me, my disinterest in the curriculum was a major contribution to my poor performance. I completed career assessments and sat with academic counselors in several different areas of study. I was feeling more confused than ever because Criminal Justice courses often sparked my interest, but I hesitated due to the dangerous nature of police work.

The criminal justice field has careers that provide an individual with great rewards and significant opportunities to an extent that the profession is considered as one with the bright spots in employment. Even though education in this field has had a checkered history and past, it probably has a bright future because of the increased quest for quality in criminal justice education. In the past few years, the criminal justice field has been characterized with an agenda that seeks to ensure quality while significantly extending the scope and dept of education in this profession. Consequently, few people would disagree with the fact that solid education has become an important facet of any career in this field just like other professions. However, the importance of college education and the extent of needed schooling are huge concerns for people considering criminal justice careers.

Before the days when I had a confident mind about what I wanted to achieve in life in order to fulfill lifelong goals, committing to a career in service to criminal justice and law had always intrigued me as a way to earn a living. In high school there was an extracurricular Criminal Justice class that I remember having a profound impact on my life. The lessons of how the structure of the system worked as well as the importance of an honest and honorable way to earn a living played to a keen and personal interest I had in the field. At the time it was a very new post-9/11 world, and departments such as Homeland Security and other federal sectors of government were on my radar as possible outlets for a potential career. The outset of my young,

People have always had some kind of enforcement of law to protect them. The police officer’s main focus is to protect the citizens they are around and serve justice to criminals that get in the way of protecting citizens. This is an interesting career choice because the people with this career have a daily duty to keep the streets safe and clean from any dangers. The topics that will be covered are the salary of detectives their main duty, the typical day they experience, years on the job that are rewarded in different ways like a new job opportunity or an increase in pay, educational requirements, and skills required.

This paper reflects about criminal justice careers that will help me get knowledge and get a better idea about the career that I choose. Components of criminal justice: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. A brief description about the career, the requirements, and the hiring criteria the career has. Tell why the position interest me, how does it relate to the career path that I want, and finally what I’m looking for in gaining from the career.

The purpose of law enforcement is to protect the lives and property of both the community’s citizens and people who visit and work in the community. There are many different levels of law enforcement careers such as local, state and federal agencies. There are also many different occupations within the law enforcement field. One of those occupations is a police officer. (10 Things You Need to Consider Before Becoming a Police Officer, Criminology Careers.com, August 2012, Timothy Roufa, Criminology Careers Expert). To become a police officer it takes more than just wanting to carry a gun and “catch the bad guys”. The hiring process will be long. After submitting an application, each candidate must go through a written test, a physical agility test, an oral interview or two, a “background” check of nearly every aspect of his life, including driving records, drug or alcohol usage, a thorough medical and psychological exam, and a polygraph test. Then after that, each candidate must go through an exhausting physical and mental challenge known as the Police Academy. If the candidates make it through the Police Academy then they advance to on-the-job training known as Field Training, which is even more difficult than the Police Academy. After all of this training and becoming a police officer, one would have to ask themselves if the job is worth it. Police officers are put into dangerous situations daily. After all they have to deal with drunks, the mentally disabled

As we started to explore different careers in Criminal Justice, what questions came to mind either about the area you are interested in or different areas?

The criminal justice system field that I am most interested in is the law enforcement side. After college I have three dreams one is to be in the United States Air Force. The criminal justice major will have a colossal influence on my career. It would give me an edge on the other competition because I know what to expect because the law enforcement concentration is one of the closest military experience things that Alabama State University has to offer. I would like to be in the emergency management field. Emergency management is the military version of FEMA. My aspiration is to be able to become an officer and lead airmen to success. I want to do twenty years in the military then retire after that I would like to join the Drug Enforcement

Ever since I was a little girl I’ve always dreamed about working in the field of law. Growing up my favorite TV shows were and still is “The First 48” and “Criminal Minds”. Both shows portray investigating, administration, and problem-solving, which are three components I will be assisting in my career. The last three years I’ve attended Tennessee State University, I’ve came to the conclusion that my major being “Criminal Justice” is meant for my life. Of course Criminal Justice is a broad topic with various occupations and skills you’ll have to select and understand. The list of duties, responsibilities, salary, employment change & outlook in the next year, unemployment rate, and education in the field are essentials one needs to be successful

"Becoming a detective starts by first becoming a police officer and serving in a conventional patrol capacity. It is during the training, probationary, and patrol periods that police officers gain an understanding and appreciation for the criminal process, the criminal justice system, and the role of the law enforcement community"(“Steps to Becoming a Detective in Criminal Investigations”). The beginning of a criminal justice career must begin with police training. This is where individuals learn more about the system and how serious crimes are. The only way to become a detective is through police training. “The Sacramento, California Police Department requires police recruits to complete an 18-month probationary period upon being hired, followed by at least two years of service, before they can qualify to be promoted to investigations” (“Steps to Becoming a Detective in Criminal Investigations”). Different places have different requirements; like Sacramento requires an 18 month probation period, somewhere else may only require twelve or maybe even twenty. It all comes down to where an individual is seeking work and how much education and experience is required. Job advancements in the criminal justice field also require advancements in

Growing up I would see police cars drive pass my house almost every single day. Seeing the police officers in action sparked my interest in criminal justice, especially the Forensic Science aspect. I remember the day I began to do research into the field I Immediately fell in love with everything they did. From collecting evidence left at crime scenes to performing scientific analysis in laboratories. Ever since that day my goal has been to become a Forensic Science Technician. When I got to high school I applied for a criminal justice tech program that would allow me to learn more about the field. That class soon became my favorite I loved everything about it. From doing mock trials to crime scene investigation. While in the tech program I

A degree in law enforcement would allow me to promote through the Colorado Department of Corrections, transfer to a police department and complete a sense of closer. There are various ways to be able to qualify to promote through the Department of Corrections by correctional experience and education. I have the minimum requirements to promote to a Sergeant through the department but not to be able to go further up the chain of command.

great amounts of networking opportunities. The Police Corps in your state may offer scholarships, but this varies significantly

Have you ever wondered how police officers know who to arrest for a crime? Well in order to catch criminals, evidence and witnesses must be gathered. Those who perform these tasks are known as detectives. Detectives are also known as criminal investigators. I have always liked solving mysteries and, that is exactly what detectives or criminal investigators do. I was inspired to pursue this career by the television series “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”. I watch this series a lot and, the show gave me a televised perception of what the career might be like. There are many risks when considering becoming a detective. However, the benefits and end results outweigh the risks and disadvantages of becoming a detective.

Some organizations that employ this program is “Criminal Justice/Police Science ,Cultural/Archaeological Resources Protection, Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism, Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation, Law Enforcement Record-Keeping and Evidence Management, Maritime Law Enforcement, Protective Services Operations”(careeronestop). If I couldn’t become a detective I would become a law enforcement record-keeper because I want to do something in the police field. These organizations all deal with investigating and do something to help the world a better place. 15. Professionally speaking, here are some organizations associated with this career “Fire Warden,First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers….”(careeronestop). There are many different ways to get in this career like the list above. Also there are different careers that are similar to being a private detective. 4. There's always a catch, education, is the catch. What are some education requirements for this career? “High school diploma or equivalent, Typical work experience needed for a job in this occupation: Less than 5 years, Typical on-the-job training once you have a job in this occupation: Moderate-term on-the-job training”(careeronestop). Always have an education plan, because you never know what life is going to throw at you. Durant High School has a forensic class that I can take to help me become a detective. 5. Some good programs that help with this career is criminal justice, psychology, and police science. (geteducated.com). When going into a career of yours always have a good education plan. Having a good program can result in being the best you can in becoming a