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I am currently attending college for my associate's in criminal justice. However, I do not relish the idea of being on the streets, and carrying  a gun. I do prefer to get into Theory Construction or Sociology of Law. After I get my associate's degree where should I go from there? Although I do support LEO's; I do not see myself becoming one. I could really use some feedback on what my next course of action should be.

Thank you.

You could become a teacher I suppose but probably not with an Associates. I suspect your options will be limited if you do not want to be an LEO. Get your BA or masters and go be a teacher.

There's always consulting. I'd say work for the FBI, but I'm sure you'd have to carry a firearm. You could to business consulting based on protective/criminology subjects. There are many options, some agents like profiler for the FBI aren't required to hold a firearm, buut they rrquire a bachalors at minimum. All I can say is research, research, research.

Tsnyder says ...

I am currently attending college for my associate's in criminal justice. However, I do not relish the idea of being on the streets, and carrying  a gun. I do prefer to get into Theory Construction or Sociology of Law. After I get my associate's degree where should I go from there? Although I do support LEO's; I do not see myself becoming one. I could really use some feedback on what my next course of action should be.

Thank you.

You could always try social work, or as KSP said try and get a job teaching the field to others.

Or try abnormal psychology as a career.

You could look into being a criminalist or a lab technician for a local PD or a state agency (ours is the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation).  The OSBI does the DNA, fingerprint analysis, drug & alcohol analysis, etc. for all of the state agencies and many local and county agencies.  Only the big two (OKC and Tulsa) have their own crime labs, I believe.  I think the criminalists are sworn and carry weapons, but I'm not sure.  I don't believe the lab techs are sworn, though.  Both require a bachelors' degree here.

Social work is NOTHING like police work, other than an investigation is an investigation on a basic level.  Social work involves a LOT of hand-holding and if you don't like that kind of stuff, stay away from it.  (Just friendly advice from a NON-hand-holder.) 

tva448 says ...

Or, you could just change your major.

It seems obvious that you are not satisfied with the avenue that the major you presenty are pursueing will take you. So, change your major now, problem solved.

Well isn't that just a negative remark. I didn't say that I wasn't satisfied with the avenue my major is taking me down; i'll I am asking about is what are ALL of my options to go with my associate's and bachelor's degree when I get it. I understand the importance of LEO's, but maybe that position isn't for everyone who wants to still be involved with this type of profession. Maybe not everyone has to be an LEO to be able to contribute to the enforcement of the law, and crackdown on criminals. Did you ever think of that?????

Tsnyder says ...

tva448 says ...

Or, you could just change your major.

It seems obvious that you are not satisfied with the avenue that the major you presenty are pursueing will take you. So, change your major now, problem solved.

Well isn't that just a negative remark. I didn't say that I wasn't satisfied with the avenue my major is taking me down; i'll I am asking about is what are ALL of my options to go with my associate's and bachelor's degree when I get it. I understand the importance of LEO's, but maybe that position isn't for everyone who wants to still be involved with this type of profession. Maybe not everyone has to be an LEO to be able to contribute to the enforcement of the law, and crackdown on criminals. Did you ever think of that?????

 

 

I'm not sure what was so negative about my remark. It seemed completely reasonable to me. You came here and asked for advice, what did you expect everyone to tell you what you want to hear?

Tsnyder says ...

I am currently attending college for my associate's in criminal justice. However, I do not relish the idea of being on the streets, and carrying  a gun. I do prefer to get into Theory Construction or Sociology of Law. After I get my associate's degree where should I go from there? Although I do support LEO's; I do not see myself becoming one. I could really use some feedback on what my next course of action should be.

Thank you.

I think that it's very wise for you to realize now that doing the "badge & gun" route is NOT for you...Social services sounds more like the path you'd like, or maybe other analyst type positions...support functions are also important....

Ina_Pickle says ...

Tsnyder says ...

I am currently attending college for my associate's in criminal justice. However, I do not relish the idea of being on the streets, and carrying  a gun. I do prefer to get into Theory Construction or Sociology of Law. After I get my associate's degree where should I go from there? Although I do support LEO's; I do not see myself becoming one. I could really use some feedback on what my next course of action should be.

Thank you.

I think that it's very wise for you to realize now that doing the "badge & gun" route is NOT for you...Social services sounds more like the path you'd like, or maybe other analyst type positions...support functions are also important....

That has actually been what I have been thinking of gravitating towards. It is in my nature to help other people, and I like getting to the nitty gritty of the how and why aspects of behavior, and how to aid in further prevention of that behavior. So, i've been thinking that maybe my best option from here would be to go for my bachelor's degree in psychology, or sociology.

You could also consider working inside an adult or juvenile prison/facility as a psychologist, juvenile justice specialist, social worker, etc.  I don't know of a single facility where you can carry a firearm while in direct contact with the inmates/clients.  I worked inside a multi-security level prison for several years and it wasn't bad at all, really.  I also investigate out a the maximum-security juvenile facility here and it's not bad, either.  There are lots of "inside" jobs that wouldn't even necessarily require a degree, such as records officer, etc.

You should have her keep you in the loop about upcoming job openings.  I never really wanted to be a correctional officer, but it was the first job in the field that I found.  I also learned a lot and really enjoyed it.  I did move up quickly, but have always remembered where I came from, so to speak.