Why do you want to major in criminal justice? It’s a personal decision to want to put yourself at risk for others, but it is one of the most important career paths you could embrace in your lifetime. Take a closer look at a few of the most important reasons why a criminal justice degree may be right for you.
#1: Numerous options to choose from
What are the benefits of a criminal justice degree? One of the biggest is the ability to pursue a career that fits your interests and needs. There are lots of options to choose from, including:
You have more than just one career option available to you.
#2: Do good for the community
Criminal justice is often about serving the community or country as a whole. You’re doing your part to support those who need help. While that seems like a good thing to do for others, it can also be quite rewarding for you. You may not save a life each day, but you could help prevent theft and other crime from hurting innocent people. That’s a powerful reason to pursue criminal justice.
#3: High earning potential
The amount you earn from this career path is dependent on factors like experience and location. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), those working as police or detective earned a median pay of $67,290 per year in 2020. For those who decide to work as a private detective or investigator, the median 2020 pay was $56,320 a year. Both of these career paths offer outstanding growth and earning potential, as well.
#4: Grow personally as well as professionally
A less recognized benefit of working in criminal justice fields is the opportunity for personal growth. Those who work as law enforcement officers face many challenges day-to-day. They have to adapt to those challenges and be able to make decisions fast. Over time, you’ll hone your skills to improve decision making and problem solving. If you decide to switch careers later, that’s going to be something other employers recognize as beneficial.
#5: Industry opportunity
Criminal justice is a path that offers many potential opportunities for you, as noted. Finding a job can be a swifter, simpler process for well-qualified individuals. For example, those pursuing career options as a probation officer or correctional treatment specialist may find it easy to get a job over the coming years. The need for private detectives and investigators is likely to grow at an 8% rate, which is much faster than average.
#6: Steady pay
One of the benefits of working in this field is that you may be working for government offices at the local, state, county, or even federal level. That means you can count on steady employment. You can trust that, as long as you do your job, you’ll have a paycheck coming in. Even if you are working for a private company, most are reliable and well-established.
#7: Give back to your community
Perhaps your community helped you in some way. Maybe growing up you saw the need for professionals in this field or you were influenced by someone in it. Give back and be a part of a community-wide solution. Someone may one day look up to you in the same way!
#8: Solid benefits
Many people working in this field have access to quality health insurance packages, life insurance, and retirement plans. They may be able to retire within a few decades of working in the field, too. You may also have access to dental, vision, and other types of insurance products that may not be as readily available in other careers.
#9: Be an agent of change
If you want to enter into criminal justice, your goal may not be to just do what others have done. You may want to change how policing happens or encourage better programs to support those who have the most need. When you earn an education in this field, you are more likely to be able to do that in a meaningful way. You could help change the future, in fact.
#10: Live unique experiences
A career in this industry may take you to new places. It may show you many types of people and help you experience various cultures. Many times, you’ll have the opportunity to support others going through trauma or tragic events. You may be able to travel to an area that needs emergent help. Other times, you’ll find new experiences within your community.
#11: Become the best version of yourself
For those seeking a career path where they feel engaged and fulfilled, criminal justice avenues can provide that. You can be proud of the work you are doing. It is not about turning a profit or reaching corporate goals. It is not about working for others. In this path, you are working to do something valuable for the world around you. That often means you are becoming the best version of yourself and serving others who are in need of help, protection or guidance.
Pursue your goals
So, is criminal justice a good career for you? Only you can answer that, but we can help you thrive once you’ve made the decision. For more information on how Geneva College helps people like you achieve success through exceptional educational programs, contact us now at 855-979-5563 or web@geneva.edu. Check out our criminal justice degree plan for more information.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
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