Three Careers in Criminal Justice

Are you having a hard time deciding what to do with your criminal justice degree? Here are three criminal justice jobs to consider.

1.)     Crime Scene Investigator: Using your criminal justice degree to pursue a career as a crime scene investigator allows you to be hands on in the field of crime scene investigation.  As a crime scene investigator, you will be responsible for the evaluation of the crime scene.  This includes using various types of equipment to gather evidence, writing detailed reports on what happened at the crime scene and even testifying in court.  It’s also important for a crime scene investigator to be in shape.  You won’t be chasing suspect s but you will be kneeling and stooping for extended periods of time looking for evidence.  Also, the hours may be grueling as many crime scene investigators are required to respond to emergency calls 24/7.

2.) Detective: With a degree in criminal justice you can become a detective.  Detectives are plainclothes officers that specialize in a particular law enforcement field (e.g. homicide).  As a detective you will be assigned to a specific case until a conviction or arrest is made.  You could be involved in anything from finding missing persons to observing possible criminals and their suspicious activity.  As a detective, it is important to be detail-oriented because it is highly likely that you will testify in court.

3.) Game Warden: Another job to consider with your criminal justice degree is game warden.  Game wardens are responsible for enforcing fish, hunting and boating laws.  If you’re into the outdoors, this is an ideal job.  A majority of your time is spent in the field responding to complaints and accidents.   Game wardens are also responsible for collecting information and reporting conditions of the wildlife in the area they patrol. 

A criminal justice degree can open the door to a variety of careers.  Learn more about criminal justice degrees here.