Criminal Justice Careers for Women

Making a career in criminal justice although not impossible for a woman can be challenging. Criminal justice jobs require an educational background in the respective discipline. If you have prior experience in this field, through some voluntary work or by some other means, it is always advantageous.

If you are still a student and your goal is to make a career in criminal justice, then you must explore the job opportunities in this field. Jobs pertaining to enforcement of laws, working in crime laboratories, courts and forensics are high in demand. However, you need proper degrees and a few years of experience to step into higher posts.

No matter what your designation is, you have to prove yourself expert in conducting investigations, surveys, maintaining records or analyzing data. Such type of careers become challenging for individuals because it involves dealing with different types of people and sometimes it could lead to field work as well. 

The nature of your job will further depend upon whether you are working for federal government or at the state level. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is one such department where you can look for high level jobs. The State Crime Commissions, Narcotics Bureaus and State Courts also offer immense employment opportunities for women.

Jobs in law enforcement have become one of the most sought after career for women and they are taking keen interest in this field. The job basically entails maintaining discipline on the road, rail and air and to ensure the laws are executed properly.

Initially you can join as an assistant but with experience you will gradually be promoted to higher designations. Federal law enforcement careers are high paying and scopes of jobs are also ample. Some of those demanding jobs are:

• Police Officer
• Conservation Officer
• Juvenile Justice
• Park Police
• Correctional Officers

• Immigration Enforcement Agent
• Public Safety Officer
• Community Liaison Officer
• FBI Special Agent
• Airport Security Officer
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer

Criminologists are engaged in tasks, where they study behavior of criminals and analyze crime. They also undertake the responsibility of molding society's attitude towards people who are victims of communal violence and crime. The science of criminology also deals with investigating correctional facilities, like rehabilitation and penalty.

Along with police and other investigating agencies, they are employed in universities and other types of educational settings where they ensure juvenile justice and enforce administrative policies. Criminologists also work with communities, federal and justice agencies for the same purpose.

Local government services also hire criminologists for monitoring public safety. Since the job is basically related with the society, it is perfect for women since they know how to offer care.

You can look for the following job opportunities in this discipline.

• Rehabilitation
• Medical Investigation
• Criminal Investigation
• Financial Fraud Investigation
• Studies related with women's welfare
• Private Investigation

This is one of the most well suited criminal justice careers for women. Forensic science is a highly prospective field where you need to analyze samples and data to trace the convict. Crime laboratory analysts work in forensic laboratories and departments to find out the history of a crime and its associates.

The job is interesting since you investigate thoroughly by employing different scientific techniques. To get a decent job in this field, you must hold a degree in forensic science. Many times you need to visit crime sites for collecting samples and checking clues. 

The techniques are highly sophisticated and so is the job. Some prestigious jobs for women in forensic science are:

• Forensic Psychologist
• Crime Scene Investigator
• Forensic Pathologist
• Forensic Serologist

This field is also a kind of social service to the country and its people, since you are protecting it against crime and communal violence. Criminal justice courses could also be done online and it would be an added advantage to you if you want to build a career in this field.