Exploring and Understanding Careers in Criminal Justice

A Comprehensive Guide

Matthew J. Sheridan, Raymond R. Rainville

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Year: 2016
• eBook ISBN: 9781442254312
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Careers

Criminal justice careers typically fall into one of two categories: law enforcement or legal. But contrary to what many may know about the career opportunities in criminal justice, it is more than just becoming a cop or a lawyer. In Exploring and Understanding Careers and Opportunities in Criminal Justice, Matthew J. Sheridan and Raymond R. Rainville provide a practical, comprehensive guide that easily explains the extensive operations and the scope of employment possibilities and opportunities in the criminal justice profession. They cover many criminal justice functions and career paths that are seldom discussed when preparing for a career in criminal justice. Rainville and Sheridan focus on how to obtain employment in a career field that fits personal strengths and aspirations and emphasize the value of internships and service learning as tools to obtain the desired position.

A career in criminal justice is a process of many potential outcomes. The career professional who plans, continues personal development, and prepares their career path will discover many potential rewards that include satisfaction during and after their career. The field of criminal justice will continue to expand and grow. Legislative mandates will promote new policies and employment opportunities to keep pace with changes and improvements in criminal justice practices to meet needs that enable the career professional to protect and serve. As the title suggests, anyone interested in exploring and understanding the field of criminal justice and the opportunities it can provide needs to read this book. Sheridan and Rainville make it known that there are more options in the field of criminal justice than you thought, and that the process for obtaining employment and developing the career path you desire most can be done!

Table of contents

• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Chapter 1: Introduction: Why Another Book on Criminal Justice Careers?
• Chapter 2: Exploring Careers in Criminal Justice
• Chapter 3: Careers in Law Enforcement
• Chapter 4: Careers in Corrections
• Chapter 5: The Courts, Its Actors, and Its Functions
• Chapter 6: The Federal Government
• Chapter 7: Getting the Job, Entering the Field, and Career Advancement
• Chapter 8: Criminal Justice Ethics
• Chapter 9: Life after the Career or “I Can’t Live on That!”
• Appendix 1: Directory of Profiles in Criminal Justice
• Appendix 2: Interest, Inquiry, and Cover Letters
• Appendix 3: A Guide to Interview Questions
• Appendix 4: Sample Résumé and CV
• Appendix 5: The Career Fair Plan
• Appendix 6: The Benefits and Downsides of Online Courses
• Appendix 7: Document Portfolio Checklist
• Appendix 8: Civil Service Examinations
• Appendix 9: U.S. Federal Law Enforcement Agencies and Websites
• Appendix 10: Important Websites
• Appendix 11: Criminal Justice Jobs
• Appendix 12: Private and Nonprofit Agencies and Professional Organizations
• Appendix 13: Vermont Police Academy Basic Training and Physical Fitness Training
• Appendix 14: Paying for College
• Appendix 15: Criminal Justice and Trade Publications
• Appendix 16: Codes of Ethics
• Notes
• Bibliography of References and Suggested Readings
• About the Authors