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What can I do to make my criminal justice and criminology degree more valuable or just make sure I can find a job with it?
I’m getting my bachelors in criminal justice and criminology in a year and everyone is just now telling me it’s useless. I’m really scared because I’m not sure what I can really do right after graduation to get a job. I’m planning to go to law school but I need a job in the meantime. What can I do to make my degree valuable and make sure I’m able to find a job?
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4 answers
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David’s Answer
A criminal justice and criminology degree is not useless, but it often benefits from practical experience and additional skills. If you're planning to attend law school, you can use the time after graduation to build experience that will strengthen both your résumé and your law school applications.
Here are some ways to make your degree more valuable:
Get internships with law firms, prosecutors' offices, public defenders, probation departments, courts, or law enforcement agencies before you graduate.
Gain relevant work experience in roles such as legal assistant, paralegal, court clerk, victim advocate, probation officer, corrections officer, or compliance assistant.
Develop transferable skills like legal research, report writing, public speaking, data analysis, and communication. Learning software such as Microsoft Excel or legal research platforms can also help.
Earn certifications that are relevant to your career goals, such as paralegal certification, crime analysis, or digital forensics, if those fields interest you.
Network with professionals by attending career fairs, joining criminal justice organizations, and connecting with alumni and professors who can help you find opportunities.
Keep a strong GPA and prepare for the LSAT if law school is your goal.
Most importantly, start applying for jobs several months before graduation. Many employers value experience just as much as the degree itself, so internships and entry-level positions can make a significant difference.
While the degree alone doesn't guarantee a job, combining it with practical experience, networking, and relevant skills can open doors to careers in the legal system, government, law enforcement, compliance, investigations, and many other fields. If your long-term goal is law school, these experiences will also make you a stronger candidate and help you decide which area of law interests you most.
Here are some ways to make your degree more valuable:
Get internships with law firms, prosecutors' offices, public defenders, probation departments, courts, or law enforcement agencies before you graduate.
Gain relevant work experience in roles such as legal assistant, paralegal, court clerk, victim advocate, probation officer, corrections officer, or compliance assistant.
Develop transferable skills like legal research, report writing, public speaking, data analysis, and communication. Learning software such as Microsoft Excel or legal research platforms can also help.
Earn certifications that are relevant to your career goals, such as paralegal certification, crime analysis, or digital forensics, if those fields interest you.
Network with professionals by attending career fairs, joining criminal justice organizations, and connecting with alumni and professors who can help you find opportunities.
Keep a strong GPA and prepare for the LSAT if law school is your goal.
Most importantly, start applying for jobs several months before graduation. Many employers value experience just as much as the degree itself, so internships and entry-level positions can make a significant difference.
While the degree alone doesn't guarantee a job, combining it with practical experience, networking, and relevant skills can open doors to careers in the legal system, government, law enforcement, compliance, investigations, and many other fields. If your long-term goal is law school, these experiences will also make you a stronger candidate and help you decide which area of law interests you most.
Updated
Sijoy’s Answer
Hi Jazmyn,
Your degree in criminal justice and criminology is a strong asset. It gives you a great understanding of law, society, and human behavior, and there are ways to make it even more powerful as you get ready for law school.
Here are some ideas to help you on your journey:
1. Internships & Volunteering: Look for opportunities in local courts, law firms, probation offices, or organizations focused on justice reform. Even short-term roles can boost your experience.
2. Certifications & Skills: Think about learning skills like data analysis, research methods, or getting a paralegal certification. These can make you stand out by adding practical expertise to your knowledge.
3. Networking: Connect with professors, alumni, and professionals in Denver’s legal and justice community. Many opportunities come from referrals.
4. Entry-Level Roles: Jobs like case manager, victim advocate, corrections officer, or legal assistant provide valuable experience before law school.
5. Research & Writing: Share your criminology projects or papers online through LinkedIn, GitHub, or a personal blog. This shows you can apply what you learn to real-world issues.
6. Career Outlook: Criminal justice graduates often work in law enforcement, legal support, policy research, and nonprofit advocacy. Any role that exposes you to the justice system will strengthen your law school applications and future career. Combining criminology with law or certifications can boost your earning potential.
My Personal Suggestion: Don’t let negative comments shake your confidence. Your degree is as valuable as the effort you put into applying it. By gaining experience, building skills, and staying focused on law school, you will be ready to find meaningful work and grow into the career you want. Wishing you all the best!
Your degree in criminal justice and criminology is a strong asset. It gives you a great understanding of law, society, and human behavior, and there are ways to make it even more powerful as you get ready for law school.
Here are some ideas to help you on your journey:
1. Internships & Volunteering: Look for opportunities in local courts, law firms, probation offices, or organizations focused on justice reform. Even short-term roles can boost your experience.
2. Certifications & Skills: Think about learning skills like data analysis, research methods, or getting a paralegal certification. These can make you stand out by adding practical expertise to your knowledge.
3. Networking: Connect with professors, alumni, and professionals in Denver’s legal and justice community. Many opportunities come from referrals.
4. Entry-Level Roles: Jobs like case manager, victim advocate, corrections officer, or legal assistant provide valuable experience before law school.
5. Research & Writing: Share your criminology projects or papers online through LinkedIn, GitHub, or a personal blog. This shows you can apply what you learn to real-world issues.
6. Career Outlook: Criminal justice graduates often work in law enforcement, legal support, policy research, and nonprofit advocacy. Any role that exposes you to the justice system will strengthen your law school applications and future career. Combining criminology with law or certifications can boost your earning potential.
My Personal Suggestion: Don’t let negative comments shake your confidence. Your degree is as valuable as the effort you put into applying it. By gaining experience, building skills, and staying focused on law school, you will be ready to find meaningful work and grow into the career you want. Wishing you all the best!
Updated
Michael’s Answer
The first two answers are great! And the advice is fantastic.
Also, just something to think about. Whoever everybody is (friends, online, acquaintances) telling you things like what is useless and what isn't etc., really are not worth listening to.
There will be many voices coming at you during your academic career. Find a few people that you respect and trust. Go to them for ideas and thoughts and when you want to discuss what is going on. Don't pay attention to the rest. As the two first answers mention, your degree is far from useless.
All the best!
Also, just something to think about. Whoever everybody is (friends, online, acquaintances) telling you things like what is useless and what isn't etc., really are not worth listening to.
There will be many voices coming at you during your academic career. Find a few people that you respect and trust. Go to them for ideas and thoughts and when you want to discuss what is going on. Don't pay attention to the rest. As the two first answers mention, your degree is far from useless.
All the best!
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Hello Jazmyn. Your degrees are NOT useless. Sure you'll hear a lot about those degrees being so general but tune it out and follow your career path. With criminal justice and criminology there are several options to go that aren't necessarily sworn law enforcement (i.e.: police officer). However some law students do become police officers first as it is a pretty secure job, and the various shifts can complement their study time. Some of my recommendations would be if you're looking to go private, look into insurance companies as they are almost always hiring investigators. But since you are planning on going to law school I'd suggest maybe your state's attorney general's office, or somewhere in the court system. These agencies will sometimes have programs specifically for law students, whether paid or internships, but both would be great experience. As stated in previous answers: case manager, victim advocate, legal assistant, prosecutors' offices, public defenders, probation departments. These are all very good recommendations. Best of luck!
Colorado Attorney General Opportunities- https://coag.gov/careers/
Special Investigator Unit (SIU) - https://ethosrisk.com/blog/what-is-an-siu-investigator/
Denver County Court Opportunities - https://www.denvercountycourt.org/careers/
Mike recommends the following next steps: