Running head: CAREER RESEARCH & CONCLUSION 1

Career Research & Conclusion

Zachary J. Simon
Delaware Technical Community College

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Abstract
There are many different careers to choose from when you have a degree in Criminal Justice.
The job titles listed in this research paper are separated by law enforcement, corrections, and
courts. Im trying to break them down to help me figure out what I would like to with my career.
Being a State Trooper, New Castle County Cop, or a part of the Wilmington Police Department
would fall under law enforcement. Law enforcement sounds like the most exciting career out of
them all and I would really enjoy being active outside. Correctional and Probation officers would
be a part of corrections and what seems to be my back up plan. Paralegals, Attorneys, and Judges
are all a part of the court systems. Making a difference in my community is what I have always
wanted to do!
Keywords: Criminal Justice

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Career Research & Conclusion
Coming from a huge family in law enforcement I have grown up with hopes of becoming
a police officer of some sort. My parents never pressured me into it, but always sounded like they
really enjoyed what they did for a living. My mom and dad always said everyday was completely
different and you never knew what hands you were going to be dealt. Just to make sure that if I
was ever going to be a police officer that I always kept my eyes on the persons hands who is
dealing the cards.
Law enforcement
Becoming a police officer requires a distinct type of person. The main objective for a
police officer is to protect people and property (How to become a police officer, 2015). Breaking
down the job description police officers also patrol their community, respond to 911 calls, issue
citation, make arrest, conduct traffic stops and provide first aid to anyone in need of it. The
majority of an officers time is spent patrolling and writing reports on incidents that happened.
You must be 21 years of age with no felonies, a minimum of 60 college credits or two years of
active military. The BLS shows that the average salary for a police officer is $53,540 a year
(How to become a police officer, 2015).
Corrections1
Being a correctional officer it is the most important job in the prisons because they have
to make sure everyone is safe and that the prisoners are doing what they are supposed to be doing
at that designated time. (Criminal Justice Studies, 2014, p323). As presented in this study, recent
literature, has revealed that many ofcers resign from this position shortly after being hired.
Although further literature has suggested a number of variables that signicantly impact ofcer
resignation intentions. This includes pay dissatisfaction and poor supervisory evaluations, no

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study, so far, has evaluated the inuences of emotional dissonance and job desirability in
predicting the outcome. It has been found that to reduce ofcer turnover, prison administrators
should improve ofcer working conditions, provide them some emotional outlets, and make this
profession more attractive to people.
Moving forward, in the field of corrections, I examined the role of probation officers. I
focused on another study that was set to assess traumatic stress and burnout in probation officers
who work with criminal offenders. Adult probation officers from five departments in three states,
Arizona, California, and Texas) participated in this particular study. These officers completed
several surveys including the impact of events, the compassion satisfaction self-test for helpers,
and the probation personal impact scale. The results indicated officers who reported violent and
sexual recidivism on their caseloads, offender suicide, and threats or assaults in the line of duty
scored significantly higher on measures of traumatic stress and burnout than officers who did not
experience these caseload events. Assessments, education, training, and stress management
programs were also focused on as options to maneuver negative impacts and improve the quality
of evidence-based practices. (American Journal of Criminal Justice, 2012, p. 67-84).
Courts. The one job position I would most likely be interested in within the court system
is being a paralegal. According to paralegaledu.org the position pays around $44,657 salary and
conducts case management for the judge. I would mostly be interested in being a paralegal
because it is a state job with good health benefits.
Planning my career. Hopefully, once my degree in criminal justice is earned I can apply
to different police departments. I would like to volunteer for different organizations such as
Special Olympics and Community services. I want to make my resume outstanding so that I get
noticed. I plan on going to the gym and possibly having a personal trainer so that when I apply to

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the police departments I will be in shape. I know many opportunities come up at Delaware Tech
to volunteer with Mrs. Bonavita and I plan to take full advantage of anything that comes my way.
Most importantly I dont plan on giving up and even if Im not accepted into the police academy
I plan to keep applying every time Im eligible to. Practice makes perfect and every interview is
an experience. The experiences I had with the youth police academy was unforgettable. The
Newark Police Department really broke down every job position they offer and I was interested
in them all. I have already done two ride alongs and plan on doing another in the near future.
Conclusion. Overall, I really like the options I have with a degree in criminal justice. My
favorite being a police officer and I learned a lot about what it takes to become one. I also know
that I dont want to be a judge or a paralegal. The focus 2 evaluation really didnt have that much
of an influence on my career choice. However, this research paper and eportfolio assignment has
opened my eyes to the goals I need to accomplish to get where I want to be in life. My career
plans are still the same as they were when I started this assignment. I believe Im in the best
major at Delaware Tech and pursuing my dreams.

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References
Ferdika, F., Smith, H., & Applegate, B. (2014). The role of emotional dissonance and job
desirability in predicting correctional ofcer turnover intentions.27(4), 323-343.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2014.938741
How to become a police officer . (2015). Retrieved from
http://www.criminaljusticeusa.com/police-officer/
Lewis, K., Lewis, L., & Garby, T. (2012). Surviving the trenches: The personal impact of the job
on probation officers. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 38(1), 67-84.
doi:10.1007/s12103-012-9165-3
What is a paralegal? (2014). Retrieved from http://www.paralegaledu.org/

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