Job opportunities growing in the criminal justice field

Careers in criminal justice are many and varied and continued growth is expected in the field. Growth among careers in law enforcement and investigation is reported at 22 percent, an above average gain, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The same published report projects 9 percent growth among probation officers and corrections personnel. This projection represents an average growth rate, but growth just the same.

To give you an idea of the options available in this growing industry, Audrey Pasin, an attorney and full-time faculty member in the criminal justice program at Brown Mackie College - Greenville offers her advice.

"Our graduates with an associate's or bachelor's degree or with a certificate in the college's criminal justice program are equipped to pursue employment in diverse areas of the criminal justice field," Pasin says. "They're exploring positions in both private and government sectors.

"In the current economic climate, law enforcement positions in most big cities are tough to get. They tend to look for people with a military background and prefer a candidate with a master's degree," says Pasin. "Colleges like Brown Mackie College - Greenville prepare students for other options that require less time in school."

As a new class enters the Criminal Justice program, Pasin asks students what they like to watch on TV to gauge their desired career direction within the field. The numerous popular forensics dramas sometimes prompt students to enroll with unrealistic expectations. "We train students for supporting roles in a forensics unit; however, it generally takes at least a bachelor's degree to understand the science required to become a crime scene analyst," says Pasin. "The majority of our students say they have come to us for training so they can help people in trouble. Most want to help kids."

A criminal justice degree or certificate provides a foundation in human service fields, such as social work. This field alone offers many different types of positions. Social workers provide assistance to adults and children coping with difficult issues such as disabilities, inadequate housing, unemployment, substance abuse and domestic conflicts, among many others. Students can pursue opportunities as a probation officer, case worker, or even working with a school or hospital to support those in need.

Another avenue of employment opportunities lies in the security industry. A multitude of businesses hire security guards and surveillance officers to guard people, merchandise, money or equipment. Students can inquire about these positions at museums, department stores, banks and hospitals, to name a few. "Training also provides entry level opportunities as a private investigator," Pasin says. "Insurance companies, attorneys and individuals hire people to locate information on legal, financial or personal matters. The court system employs security personnel, bailiffs, custodians of evidence and record-keeping. Another good place to look is the corrections industry for a position as a prison guard."

A career in one field can transition into the other. As students broaden the scope of the search for employment, they now look into open positions at both the public defender's and prosecutor's offices. "It's amazing how much of the approach to criminal justice comes from understanding society. Who's in the system, how the system works," Pasin says.

Criminal justice training focuses on sociology and psychology research. Students come away with a global understanding of how people operate and how a family functions. Because of this social dynamic, the criminal justice programs have applications in the family law and employment law fields. "In this economy, I encourage students to think broadly outside of traditional places," says Pasin.