Deciding to get a degree in criminal justice opens plenty of doors. You can qualify for a range of careers in both the public and private sectors. Many of these jobs don’t specifically call for a college education, but getting an education is important regardless. An education can offer you many things that you won’t learn easily on the job, and it can prepare you for the challenges you will likely face in your new career.
A Few Skills Learned
Through a college education, you’ll learn or build upon some of the basic skills needed to work in a criminal justice career. Starting with better communication skills. Any career you enter in this field is going to require strong written and verbal communication skills. You have to be able to explain yourself clearly and explain things to other people clearly. In addition, you’ll pick up skills that will help you be more professional, learn to solve problems independently and think critically, all very important to this field. Beyond these basic skills, there are also some more advanced skills that can be developed.
Dealing With Confrontations
There has been evidence to suggest that those with a college education are better able to handle confrontations in their work. For a career in criminal justice, this can be a major benefit. Police officers, parole officers, even those in administration will deal with confrontational people on a regular basis. Knowing how to properly deal with these situations is essential to keep things from escalating out of control.
Cultural Awareness
Anyone working in the public sector has to have cultural awareness. For some people, this comes naturally due to where they grew up and what they’ve been exposed to. However, others don’t have it so easy because they have lived a sheltered life away from diversity. Going to college can increase awareness and allow for exposure to a variety of cultures and different people. This can be very beneficial in criminal justice.
In addition, it allows a person to have a more global view. As explained by USC Online, thinking more globally allows for new solutions to be found to problems. It encourages thinking outside of the box and learning from others. This is very helpful when you are working with a variety of people in many different situations and you have to come up with solutions quickly.
Criminal Knowledge
A college education also will enable you to learn about a range of different crimes. You aren’t just going to be dealing with thefts and speeding tickets. You will also be exposed to white collar crimes, such as those outlined by USC Online. You may run across gangs and related crimes. It just helps to have knowledge that will allow you to recognize and understand the crimes you are coming across. This will enable you to be better at your job.
Getting an education may not be a requirement for your future career, but that doesn’t mean you should skip college. There are many benefits to getting an education. In fact, it’s been shown that those with a college education who work in criminal justice often achieve promotions more quickly and have better overall job performance.