Im going to college for criminal justice?

Question

Im going to college for criminal justice and i wanted to know what can i do when i graduate besides being a police officer because i wanted to be a homicide detective but i know you have to be a police officer first so can someone help me decide what i can do besides being a police officer?

Answer 1

If your goal is to be a homicide detective, then you will need to be a police officer first and work your way up through the ranks.

Answer 2

You could be a parole officer, probation officer, go on further to college to become a lawyer, you could be a prison guard, or a security guard for a big company---HOWEVER, if your dream was to be a homicide detective and you don't pursue it---you may end up some day a 56 year old former SECRETARY wishing you had gone into the career you had REALLY wanted when you were younger...... I might suggest that once you get your criminal justice degree, you might stay in college and take Forensic Science classes... the more education you have and the better you DO in those courses, the better your opportunity would be to become the detective you want to be. Don't give up your dream just because there are a few unwanted stepping stones.... You could become a State Trooper where your chances for advancement could come much more quickly then if you became a TOWN policeman ... I'm 56 and retired now but ALWAYS wished I could have gone on to college to become a LAWYER instead of being just a lowly clerk in a State office. Don't let this be YOU 30 or 40 years from now... WORK toward that dream, not against it.

Answer 3

You could work at a major department store in loss prevention. There are also jobs in the state department of human services, like child abuse investigators, and life skills trainers, etc. I would look into those. If there is an alternative school near you that serves at risk juveniles, you could work there as an intensive supervision officer or in some other capacity. You could apply to work at some places as a security guard, a prison corrections officer/guard, or in some other prison/jail employment position. Or you may want to check into becoming a private investigator.

I am dealing with the same issues as you are right now, but I am over 40. If you are younger, you probably have many more opportunities than I.
I would suggest that you find out if your learning institution has job placement or advising personnel who will help you get into your chosen field. And don't forget to make friends with others who are studying CJ, they can be a valuable source of networking information concerning available internships and job openings in your area.

Answer 4

You can go work for a police department or federal police agency in a non-police role. You can also go on to law school. You can go on and get a doctorate and teach criminal justice as a professor.