There are many types of jobs you can earn with a Criminal Justice Studies degree, most of them depend on your interests and specialties. Regardless of the career path you choose you will likely start your career in the public sector. Many entry-level jobs for criminal justice majors are in local, state or federal governments so understanding the differences between these levels of governments could be helpful in thinking about where you want to work after graduation.
One of the key differentiators between the different levels of government is geographic jurisdiction – or the physical range of the government’s authority. Local governments have the smallest jurisdiction, typically limited to a single city or county. If you are employed by a local government your roles and responsibilities would only pertain to a small area of activity. Some criminal justice professions you find at the city or county level are:
- Police officers
- Legal assistants who work for a county courthouse
- Security Guards in the Mayor’s Office or courthouse.
State governments typically oversee local governments and activities that impact the state as a whole. Examples of employment at the state level include:
- Corrections officer at a state facility
- Legal assistant in the State Courthouse.
- State Trooper
Federal employees deal with problems, issues and laws affecting the entire nation, like border security or the transportation security administration. Jobs at the federal level include:
- Border Patrol
- Park Ranger (with relevant experience)
- Paralegal Specialist with Homeland Security
Another big difference in working for these different levels of government is how close you will be to the people you potentially serve. Employees of local governments often get to see the impact of their work in their own communities. But, they also may hear criticisms from neighbors or family member about actions taken by their employer. State and federal workers often have greater distance between the people they serve and where they live, in part because the populations affected are much bigger than at the local level.
As you move through your criminal justice studies degree at Bryant & Stratton College think about not only what type of job you want after graduation but also the setting. You’ll be spending a great deal of your week at your job so you want to make sure it is somewhere you will feel challenged, be able to put your skills to work and that will be conducive to your productivity.
Bryant & Stratton College offers an associate degree in Criminal Justice Studies along with diploma programs that focus on the criminal justice field. If you are interested in learning about any of the programs at Bryant & Stratton College, please call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.
