With an undergraduate degree in criminal justice, you have a wide range of career options both directly and indirectly related to the criminal justice system. Creating a LinkedIn profile can assist you in finding public and private opportunities, including non-profit organizations.
When searching for jobs, it will be helpful to create free profiles with CalOpps (local/city government), Government Jobs (county and local government), CalCareers (state positions), and USA Jobs (federal positions) based on the career you are seeking. Creating a profile will allow you to add your personal history and job information once then be able to apply for multiple positions. Using one profile to apply for multiple positions is completely acceptable, though if there is an option to write a cover letter - be sure to write a separate, personalized cover letter for each job you apply for. You are also encouraged to create a LinkedIn profile (free!) to see job opportunities and connect with people who are in your dream career positions.
As you view requirements for different careers, you may notice some skill sets that you do not have a lot of experience in. LinkedIn Learning offers over 14,000 digital courses on thousands of different topics. Some courses result in certificates that you can add to your resume, and relevant learning can be discussed during your interviews. As a CSUEB student, you receive free access to LinkedIn Learning (normally $40/month)! Take advantage of an incredible opportunity to learn many new skills and concepts!
Updated 05/2024 by Dr. Michelle Rippy
County probation positions are most commonly advertised on Government Jobs. LinkedIn is a resource that will allow you to find non-profit and other agencies that have corrections-related positions that will not be present in government-based websites.
Court-related positions, such as court reporters, interpreters, investigators, paralegals, and clerks are commonly advertised on Government Jobs. If you are seeking work with private law agencies, LinkedIn will be a helpful resource for opportunities.
City/municipal law enforcement job openings, sworn and non-sworn, are commonly found on CalOpps and Government Jobs.
Want to learn more about the police hiring process? This article outlines the hiring process from SJPD Officer Acosta. Also, check out the CRJ Events Page for upcoming in-person and virtual presentations from local law enforcement agencies.
Thinking about joining a federal agency? This is an article from an FBI agent about the challenges and rewards of the career. An agency you might not have heard of is Diplomatic Security Service, with more info here.
For those interested in becoming a detective, a detailed outline about cold case investigations can be found here. For those interested in joining a SWAT team, a podcast can be found here and an article is here.
Many crime scene and forensic-related careers are commonly found on CalOpps and Government Jobs. The Crime Scene Investigator Network also has listings of forensic and crime scene-related careers across the nation.
For those interested in becoming a crime scene investigator, a short podcast can be found here and a podcast on processing a crime scene can be found here.
The same search options above will work for other criminal justice-related careers. You can also search LinkedIn for private and non-profit careers.