Some professions will always be in demand, not just because they are high-paying, but also because they impact society in a big way. One such job is of a criminal lawyer. To pursue it, you need a criminal justice degree from a reputed institute with experienced professors.
For some, it’s tough to complete a degree as it requires a great deal of physical, mental, and emotional strength. But it helps in learning about navigating shocking case studies, and technical skills to manage report and grant documents. The profession also requires students to do in-depth research strategies, improve critical thinking, have strong public speaking talent, and more.
If you are passionate about fighting crimes and providing justice using analytical thinking and negotiation skills, then this article is for you. We present eight strong reasons and benefits of pursuing a criminal justice degree for a fulfilling career.
Make a Difference in Society
There are different types of crimes, and this digital age also includes cybercrime. The society needs order and discipline more than ever. Even in fast-track courts, getting justice takes time. Take a look at the latest crime rate report given below.
The above image is a clear indication that the demand for a criminal justice lawyer is urgent. A bachelor’s or a master’s degree improves awareness of the dynamic law system across the world.
Therefore, by learning about different justice regulations, you are preparing to help people get justice and create a more peaceful society.
Diverse Career Opportunities
Pursuing a criminal justice degree is not a one-way path. In fact, it opens many opportunities in many more law-related fields. You can start with an online bachelors in criminal justice, which will be the first step to understanding the principles of criminal law and more.
There are other options like getting a degree in criminology, political science, master of criminal justice, etc. Here is a list of career opportunities open for you after completing a criminal justice degree:
- Forensic Psychologist
- Private Investigator
- Forensic Science Technician
- Investigative Reporter
- Probation or Parole Officer
- Public Safety or Correctional Officer
- Paralegal
- Intelligence Analyst
- Criminal Profiler
- Victim Advocate
- Juvenile Correctional Counselor
There are diverse jobs related to law that require an understanding of subjects of science, advanced technology, politics, and society, counseling, and investigation. Each profile can be pursued with a private company, government sector, and even as a freelancer.
Job Stability and Security
Once the certification is complete, you are ready to join a law firm and after years of experience can continue an independent practice. This is a traditional but important profession that is tough to navigate but provides good job stability and security.
Every experience of winning or losing a case counts and helps in becoming a stronger individual and lawyer. By managing reports accurately and negotiating terms and conditions, you will create a trustworthy reputation, bringing clients references for significant cases.
This will help in stand out among other lawyers and also increase in salary. Advancing the skills and knowledge over the years will also develop a strong network of lawyers. By observing them, there will be improvement in work ethic and managing time, providing job security.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
An LLB degree takes 3 years and a BA LLB takes 5 years to complete. Postgraduate law courses may take 1-2 years to complete.
Opportunities for Advancement
Every high post or job comes with its own challenges that many may not be interested in following. For those who are looking for entry-level positions in the law-related field, here’s a list of positions that you can think about pursuing:
- Border Patrol Agent
- Customs Enforcement Officer
- Immigration Enforcement Officer
- Transportation Security Specialist (TSA) Officer
- Police Officer
- Prison Guard
- Private Detective
- Crime Lab Analyst
- Child Protective Service
- Arbitrator/Mediator
- Information Security Analyst
These are some of the most common entry-level posts that open up after completing a bachelor’s degree in law. However, learning never ceases, and you can advance in this career by pursuing a master’s degree or a PhD for better paychecks.
Competitive Salaries
From training to entry-level jobs to completing a master’s and then starting your own firm, the salaries in the field of law are better than any other profession. That is why so many students pursue a criminal justice degree eagerly to upskill for a fulfilling career.
DO YOU KNOW?
The average criminal justice salary with a bachelor’s degree in the US is $66,570 as of November 2023, and the median hourly wage for criminal justice jobs is $33.
After completing a bachelor’s course, a law-related specialization will give you an edge over others. However, salaries also depend on the location or the country living in. A forensic psychologist’s annual salary may start from $98,230 in LA may vary for someone working in Canada.
STATISTICS
The graph shows that compared to a diploma a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can help a person earn up to 68% more.
The highest-paying salary jobs with a criminal justice degree are police supervisors, compliance officers, detectives and criminal investigators, paralegals, correctional officers, and bailiffs. These are also high-risk jobs because constantly dealing with criminals and people in high authority exposes them to the danger of life.
Transferable Skills
The law field integrates all the relevant subjects of political, social, science, and technology which requires strong decision-making for critical scenarios. It also improves soft skills that prepare a person for top positions in their respective industry. They are as follows:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills for resolving conflicts and taking prompt action calmly.
- Ethical decision-making helps in an unbiased opinion and the courage to fight for equality.
- Leadership skills are required in every industry, and confident people are often preferred for managerial posts.
- Interpersonal communication fosters an environment of teamwork and consistent growth in any company.
- Public speaking skills are helpful while conducting important meetings and events. Confidence acquired from this skill set also helps during interviews and negotiating salaries.
- Active listening and observing details are qualities of a good team leader.
Work in a Dynamic Environment
The movies always present a lawyer dealing with only one case at a time, which is far from reality. No one day is similar to the other, as each case is different and every person, whether innocent or not, has a different perspective.
Working in the law field means a dynamic environment with regular client consultations in the office, online, or on call. It also includes investigating cases at the crime scene or checking paperwork, doing legal research, and writing reports, going to court trials, etc.
It’s always a busy day once you have acquired a certain number of important clients. Therefore, pursuing a criminal justice degree leads to a fulfilling career.
Personal Fulfillment
The law profession has many rewards and challenges for those who are passionate about making a difference. It isn’t easy to complete a law degree and then do a high-stress job. With perseverance and determination, anyone can become successful in this field.
There are entry-level posts to high-paying jobs and specializations, and each type of legal field is highly respected in society. You get to meet people from different professions and try to resolve conflicts, and in doing so help them navigate through the complexities of life. This is in itself a reward leading to personal fulfillment.
Pursue Your Passion
Having a job that you love is rare nowadays. Everyone wants a profession with a high salary and a respectable post. Pursuing a criminal justice degree fulfills both these criteria, including assisting those who are weak and maintaining equality and justice in society.
Crimes are of different types that sometimes require the help of an expert. After completing a bachelor’s degree, adding a specialization improves the chances of a better paycheck. You can start with an entry-level position and then later complete a master’s or a PhD.
Nevertheless, a law degree opens diverse opportunities and improves soft skills that are useful in other industries as well. Therefore, explore an exciting career path in the criminal justice sector for personal and professional fulfillment.
