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Criminal justice degree, is it worth a damn?

Cptn PantsCptn Pants Registered User regular
edited April 2010 in Help / Advice Forum
So I'm thinking about trying to get a job at a police department... something like an evidence technician. Perhaps a position involving technology or another support position. I don't actually want to be a police officer due to my wussy nature and general dis-like of people. So anyway, is a criminal justice degree the way to go or is there another option?

Anyone actually do any of this work? If so, what can you tell me about it? What are the hours, pay, and working environment like? Thanks!

Cptn Pants on

Posts

  • ceresceres When the last moon is cast over the last star of morning And the future has past without even a last desperate warningRegistered User, Moderator Mod Emeritus
    edited April 2010
    If you want to do the "evidence technician" thing, these days it's all about forensics, forensic pathology, and forensic chemistry. Maybe a CJ minor?

    ceres on
    And it seems like all is dying, and would leave the world to mourn
  • Sir CarcassSir Carcass I have been shown the end of my world Round Rock, TXRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    The things I've read lately say that traditional degrees like chemistry, biology, or computer science are better for CSI type jobs. A CJ minor certainly wouldn't hurt, but your best bet is going to be figuring out exactly what you want to do with forensics and go for the applicable science degree.

    Sir Carcass on
  • bowenbowen Sup? Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    If you're going to a school like ITT or Bryant and Stratton you'd be better served going to a "real" college or university and picking up a degree. That's just my words of advice, trade schools are horrible. Like Carcass said, the other degrees tend to be more valuable.

    bowen on
    not a doctor, not a lawyer, examples I use may not be fully researched so don't take out of context plz, don't @ me
  • Cptn PantsCptn Pants Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Sir Carcass wrote: »
    The things I've read lately say that traditional degrees like chemistry, biology, or computer science are better for CSI type jobs. A CJ minor certainly wouldn't hurt, but your best bet is going to be figuring out exactly what you want to do with forensics and go for the applicable science degree.

    I figured as much... thanks for the advice. A science degree puts this career out of my league. Back to the drawing board.

    Cptn Pants on
  • TejsTejs Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Cptn Pants wrote: »
    Sir Carcass wrote: »
    The things I've read lately say that traditional degrees like chemistry, biology, or computer science are better for CSI type jobs. A CJ minor certainly wouldn't hurt, but your best bet is going to be figuring out exactly what you want to do with forensics and go for the applicable science degree.

    I figured as much... thanks for the advice. A science degree puts this career out of my league. Back to the drawing board.

    Why is a science degree out of the question? Long term, it's hard to beat that investment.

    Tejs on
  • Cptn PantsCptn Pants Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Science generally requires a lot of math and I'm am math-tarted. I am absolutely incapable of any type of higher math. I recently failed introduction to algebra 1 for the 3rd time with an all time high of a 42, that was with the aid of 3 tutors. So yeah... no science degree for me.

    Cptn Pants on
  • 3drage3drage Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    With a Liberal Arts degree you can spend your life packing train cars....

    There are science classes for mathmatically challenged, but you are correct the types of jobs you are talking about would be math heavy. Have you thought about going into the legal field? It's mostly research and reading.

    3drage on
  • firewaterwordfirewaterword Satchitananda Pais Vasco to San FranciscoRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    For what it's worth, I have a friend who graduated with a forensic anthropology degree from a UC school, and she had a hell of a time finding a decent job when we all graduated a few years ago. But she landed one - I think with the San Diego PD - and likes the work.

    firewaterword on
    Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
  • Cptn PantsCptn Pants Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Appreciate the advice, but I'm not sure what I'm gonna do for a career. I've been trying to figure out what to with my pathetic life for a number of years now and this is yet another thing I can't do. Like I said, back to the drawing board. Thanks anyways.

    Cptn Pants on
  • adytumadytum The Inevitable Rise And FallRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Forensic accounting is a very in-demand field, but it would take quite a few years of study to get to an employable stage.

    And despite what people say, there is very little math involved in accounting. Just lots of numbers.

    adytum on
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