When we are young it seems as if the world is a fairly straightforward place. We are asked what we would like to be when we grow up and our answers tend to be very confident and simplistic, missing out the fear of failure that creeps up on us as adolescents.
Finding and keeping a good job is difficult, especially in this day and age, but reclaiming some of this childlike confidence is a surprisingly useful strategy to becoming the person you want to be.
Many kids dream of fighting baddies either by becoming superheroes or upholders of the law. With the right qualifications and determination, you can fulfil your potential and make the world a better place.
How to Enter the Field of Criminal Justice.
An associates in criminal justice is an excellent first step to becoming qualified in your chosen area. After you have your high school diploma or GED, you can apply for an Associate Degree that will help set you up for a lucrative future in criminal justice. Here are just a few of the many reasons an Associate Degree is the right path to take:
Flexibility – Earning money while participating in full time education can be a struggle. This is why choosing an Associate Degree is preferable for busy people who are either looking for work, currently employed or simply can’t afford to spend more than a couple of years at college due to time commitments or dependents.
Education While Employed – If you want to add to your skillset without compromising your current career, an Associate Degree can be undertaken online. This allows you to continue to earn money while you learn at your own pace. The stress of having decreased income during your studies won’t apply, leaving you enough time to study your course materials without worrying about finances.
Distance Learning – As mentioned above, online courses make distance learning much easier. You won’t have to spend money on additional accommodation or a long commute. Educational materials will be provided to you, giving you more time to study and continue living life as usual. Distance learning is excellent for people who would rather not uproot their lives but who still seek career advancement and further education.
Here are just a few examples of the type of work you can look forward to with an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice:
Parole Officer – The job of a parole officer is to ensure that a released inmate adheres to the conditions of their parole, including developing a plan for the parolee and helping the parolee meet their conditions.
Criminal Case Manager – This job requires you to have a good understanding of how to coordinate the services of their client, for example helping them re-enter society.
Law Enforcement – A career in law enforcement will require you to be diligent and observant as well as mentally and physically fit.
Why Choose Criminal Justice?
There are many different kinds of jobs that come under the umbrella heading of ‘criminal justice’, which means that there are plenty to choose from. Depending on your personal preferences, your inclinations, your skills and your beliefs, there are different career paths within criminal justice that might suit you. Here are some compelling reasons that criminal justice is a rewarding and worthwhile career path to take.
Improving the State of the World – One of the most obvious reasons for choosing a career path in the field of criminal justice is the fact that you would be part of the machine that prevents and punishes those who hope to harm society. With a career in this area, you will be instrumental in making sure that the world runs fairly and that life is made better for everyone. It may sound like an over-generalization, but every individual contribution to a shared goal is vital in upholding the law and the prevention of crime.
Keeping Yourself Young – Criminal justice in any form takes a lot of skill and perseverance. This kind of work is tough on the mind, which is in fact good for you. A long career in something mentally stimulating such as criminal justice is an excellent way to stay sharp well into your senior years.
Investing in Your Professional Future – There are some jobs in the world that won’t exist in a few years’ time. However, a career in criminal justice is unlikely to be threatened by cultural shifts or sudden technological advancements simply due to the fact that there will, unfortunately, always be criminals. Just like funeral directors and tax collectors, criminal justice workers will always be kept busy.
