Andres
How hard is it to find a job after you get a criminal justice degree
Im interested into going in the criminal justice field and would like to know what to expect when looking for a job? #criminal-justice
5 answers
Stacey Finochiaro, CIPP/US
Stacey’s Answer
I have a Criminal Justice degree, and I found it a bit difficult to get a job right away - not because of the degree itself - but because I had no idea what I wanted to do with it. I found so many Criminal Justice topics interesting, but when I graduated, I didn't know what actual job would be a good fit for me.
So my advice is to really pay attention to what specifically interests you about Criminal Justice, and then narrow your job search from there. If you've found a Criminal Justice path that you're passionate about, then you'll surely have a better interview than someone who isn't quite sure why they're there, and you'll have better luck getting hired. Good luck to you!
Kristie Swanson, CIPP/US
Kristie’s Answer
Do not expect to get a criminial justice degree and have it immediately open doors for you. The degree gives you and understanding, but doesn't teach you how to do your job. Think of it as a piece of the job puzzle. Employers really want experience, your personality and a degree. Don't be afraid to take a job that is not your dream job to build your experience. Try to find an entry level job in the risk area, there are tons out there. Determine what avenue of criminal justice you want to pursue (this is a huge field) and try to find a job that touches on that. Experience combined with your degree will allow you to launch your career faster.
Matthew Purdy
Matthew’s Answer
There is a variety of opportunities in the job field for someone who has a degree in Criminal Justice. One thing I would suggest is figuring out what you would like to do. Law Enforcement, Risk Management, Corrections. This helped me in selecting the right courses to take in college for the specific field I wanted to get into when I started looking for a job. One area I would suggest looking into is Cyber Crime. This field is opening up more and more every year and job opportunities are becoming more available.
Even though I have had a degree in criminal justice for about a year now, I am finding that it is very difficult to receive a job in this field unless you graduate from police academy and become a police officer since most entry level criminal justice jobs expect you to have experience in the field which isn't fair for those that don't have an job experience in the field. Even though I partook in a three month internship through a public defenders office that internship hasn't helped me get a job at all. I have realised that a lot of jobs want you to have at least two years of experience in the cj field in order to be considered for the job.
Ashley
Tia Turner
Tia’s Answer
It's not hard. The only challenge you may come across is majority of the Jobs want you to have some type of experience. It's better to get into a internship in the field you are interested in. It's also a good way to network and help you get the experience you need to get a job right out of college.
Nate Sullivan
Nate’s Answer
Over the past few years, requirements for careers in the criminal justice field have become more stringent by moving away from anyone willing to take on the responsibility of managing criminals, to the need for a general education development (GED) degree or high school diploma, to possessing a bachelor’s degree or more.
Although, a college degree is not a guarantee of employment, it will definitely open more doors. This field has expanded in recent years and is now experiencing growth in its requirements for those interested in becoming civil servants or working in private industry. A criminal justice degree not only allows someone to learn the mechanics of the system, but helps one understand causes and results–while providing steady employment and higher salaries.