Can you help me to determine what direction I should take in utilizing my Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration? I am in my late 40's and I recently graduated with this degree and I have applied to many companies for a position in using my degree, but have not received any call backs at all. I want to start my own business and use my degree but what type of business can I have to use my degree in? I thought of investigations, but can you give me more options or alternatives. I really appreciate this very much. Im desperate and in need of your assistance in this matter.

Thank you in advance!

It's not really my forte, but my best advice would be to utilize Monster and Hotjobs to post your resume, and possibly try to get in with either Law Enforcement, a law firm, or Homeland Security on some level.

Perhaps work your way up as rapidly as possible, using your degree to differentiate yourself from people without degrees.

If you have already sent in your resume and other things that are necessary to apply for jobs, I would suggest calling the companies to see if they received your information and ask if there is any else they need. Calling potential employers, even if they have not called you, can show them that you are really interested in the position. Many people applying for jobs do that.

From the following site: UWM, CJ Jobs

For some of the positions, you could have your own business. But, there would be licensing, maybe some education and certainly registering where you will be wanting to work as a private business.

Some career possibilities in criminal justice fields:

Border Patrol Agent, Computer Security Expert, Court Administration, Criminal Investigator, Deputy Sheriff, Criminalist, FBI Special Agent, Insurance and Fraud Investigator, Internal Revenue Special Agent, Legal Assistant, Police Officer, Private Investigator, Security Guard, U.S. Secret Service, Correction Officer,
Warden, Court Officer, Customs Inspector, Deputy U.S. Marshal, Evidence Technician, Federal Protection Officer, Intelligence Analyst, Internal Security Advisor, Police Detective, Postal Inspector, Probation Officer, State Police Officer, Youth Counselor, Statistical Research Analyst, Bureau of ATF Agent, Domestic Violence Counselor, Environment Protection Specialist, Pre-Trial Services Agent.

LAW ENFORCEMENT- The primary responsibilities in this category are the maintenance of peace, the prevention of crime and the supervision of criminals.

CORRECTION AND REHABILITATION - Workers in this category maintain the security, safety, guidance and supervision of criminals. They also provide corrective retraining programs to enable criminals to reenter society.

JUDICIARY- The court systems handle individuals once arrested and charged with a crime. The courts determine the action to be taken in each case. Employment opportunities are found in the following areas:

GOVERNMENT- Most government agencies give written civil service exams, and provide their won training, require a physical test, and train on-the-job during a probationary period. Many positions require a background investigation and reference check.

Local - There are a variety of opportunities primarily in police departments, which include patrol and vehicular enforcement, investigation, vice operations, juvenile delinquency, preventive programming, planning, personnel, communications and laboratory technology.

County- Law enforcement duties vary from county to county across the nation. Most are employed as sheriffs and deputies serving similarly to police and performing duties in patrol, vice, juvenile, investigators and traffic control. Duties may include tax collection, correction and rehabilitation, process serving and court attendance.

State - The state police and highway patrol are two well-known areas of enforcement in the state system. They provide law enforcement during civil and natural disorder, protect the state parks and recreation facilities, control and enforce traffic, investigate organized crime,narcotics, fraud and gambling activities and add support to the local police.

Federal- The federal government offers a wide variety of opportunities. Each agency or service has specific duties and responsibilities which may involve investigations, protections, intelligence, law enforcement, or prevention of crime. A small sampling of possibilities is: FBI, Customs Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Secret Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the Defense Department. Some agencies have very high standards in educational background, intelligence and physical ability.

PRIVATE SECTOR- Over one million people are employed in security in manufacturing, retail, industry, educational institutions, public transportation, health facilities, and financial institutions. Many major corporation and businesses have their own security forces, while others hire from security agencies. Another field in the private sector to consider is legal assisting. Legal assistants work directly under a lawyer's supervision doing background research and preparing legal arguments, draft pleadings, contracts and mortgages and separation agreements.

NON-PROFIT- Organizations that serve the public in specific areas employ many from the criminal justice system. Often these nonprofit agencies support and work with juvenile delinquents, the homeless, drug and alcohol abusers and previous criminals. Employment is found in community centers, youth service organizations, social service agencies, volunteer agencies, rehabilitation centers, and health welfare agencies. People who work in these settings have a sincere desire to help others and have concern for the community and society. They must have knowledge of other community resources in order to make referrals.

The field of criminal justice is constantly changing to meet the new demands of a changing society. Employment opportunities are expected to increase faster than average for all other occupations. The most stringent competition is in intelligence and computer technology. Demands for police work will continue to increase both in numbers of those employed and in the complexity of the job as this field assumes more sophisticated methods of handling duties. As court caseloads increase, there will be a significant increase in the need for professional court managers. As private security firms assume more of the routine duties of police, opportunities will increase, both within private security firms and with security departments within individual corporations. Specialists are becoming more and more essential to this field.

Yes several issues, first at 40 you are over the age limit for many of the Federal law enforcement jobs. And you did not say what jobs you sent resumes to. If police departments, resumes don't work, they throw them away, you have to do a formal application process including written testing and the such. The same is true with the prison systems.

So tell us what you are looking at already and we may have some additional ideas.

As for as a PI, depends on your state, in some states, you will have to get a few years experience before you can be licensed on your own company.

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Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

yes several issues, first at 40 you are over the age limit for many of the Federal law enforcement jobs. And you did not say what jobs you sent resumes to. If police departments, resumes don't work, they throw them away, you have to do a formal application process including written testing and the such. The same is true with the prison systems.

So tell us what you are looking at already and we may have some additional ideas.

As for as a PI, depends on your state, in some states, you will have to get a few years experience before you can be licensed on your own company.

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Great answer above! Fr_Chuck knows a lot about the jobs in the criminal justice system because he used to work for it. I would suggest taking his advice.

Below is a quote from his answer for additional emphasis and encouragement for you.

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So tell us what you are looking at already and we may have some additional ideas.

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