career inquiry / assoc. art crim. justice degree

[SERENAs UNIT]

I'm going BACK to school (I think they call ppl like me "non-traditional students" lol) and have my degree plan for Associate in Arts, Crim. Justice.

Well, I started out doing that (in '89) because of going to the academy and pursuing police work.

I hate to sound stupid, BUT (always a "but") :
Once I obtain this degree, what ARE my options?

Is there a web site or something that says, "Here are career options for someone with a AA CJ degree...."

Like, adult/juvenile probation are options I believe.

I'm currently going to school on a Pell Grant and will continue to go as long as I can get grants or scholarships.

I guess I'm going into this somewhat blindly (no REAL career title/goal) and would like to have an adult-answer next time someone says, "SO, what are you planning on doing with your degree??"

Thanks for any and all help. :D

[mcsap]

Some depts REQUIRE a degree to even apply. Otherwise it looks good on a resume' and may cause you to test/interview better and upon hiring may give you a pay boost.

I tested against a pool of 60 applicants ( 3 openings) and was hired, I tested again on two occasions for promotions against a smaller group mostly comprised of officers senior to me and with degrees but I got the promo.

So IMHO a degree will NEVER harm you , unless it is a requirement to be hired , it is up to the individual who earned it to demonstrate that it was and is truly beneficial to you as an applicant and to the prosepctive employer.

[ICEGrrl]

Mind you, I would NEVER discourage anyone pursuing school dreams, for me at least, the Associates in Admin. of Justice from my Jr. college did absolutely nothing for me in California. It even took me 8 years after I got my bachelor's in CJ to get a job where it mattered! Of course, that's just my experience, but in the federal system, I know they like a bachelor's degree (but it isn't required--many people get FLEO jobs on experience alone, I know many of them!). So, keep it up and get as much schooling as you can! Not sure about TX, I am only speaking from my personal experience in CA. School can never hurt, let's put it that way!

[Kimble]

Is there a web site or something that says, "Here are career options for someone with a AA CJ degree...."

Not sure which school you are getting your degree from, but I can give you some insight from the college I work for. We have a Career Services department that helps students who need placement in a degree's career field. While our college makes this a maditory part of the school's process for each student, not all colleges do so. Other colleges, while having a similar office to our Career Services, will be available to students who: (1) know that the office exists, and (2) seek help from the office. Talk to the director of your CJ program, your advisor, or the chair of the CJ department at your college to see what Career Services your school offers, because these can be very helpful and up-to-date on career positions available, both locally and otherwise.

[Switchback]

While a degree is not often required, you may find it very hard to bein the "most competitive" category this is particularly true for the fed. Most of the guys that I know in the fed system that do hot have degrees are either "old school" hires or have exceptional experience.