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The Best Entry-Level Criminal Justice Jobs
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    The Best Entry-Level Criminal Justice Jobs

    Get your foot in the door with one of these great criminology jobs

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    By Timothy Roufa
    Updated January 01, 2018

    It's extremely rare that anyone ever walks right out of high school or even college straight into a $70,000-plus a year job. You have to pay your dues first and there are lessons to learn before you end up in your dream job. This holds true in almost every field, including criminal justice. It takes time to build a professional resume and to gain the experience you'll need, and you have to start somewhere.

    This list of some great entry-level criminal justice careers might give you food for thought. Each can help you get your foot in the door and prepare you for a better future.

  • 01
    Police Dispatcher Jobs

    Police dispatchers serve as the lifeline between officers and crime victims.
    ••• St.Louis County Government, MN

    A job as a police dispatcher is an excellent career in its own right, and it's also a great way to begin learning the ins and outs of police work. You'll learn other functions related to the criminal justice system as well. 

    Dispatchers interact with a variety of people and learn valuable communication skills that can serve them wherever they go. You don't usually need a degree for the job, which means there's a good chance you can qualify for it right now.

  • 02
    Loss Prevention Jobs

    Loss Prevention Specialist
    ••• U.S Airforce/JBSA.af.mil

    There are very few minimum requirements to work in loss prevention or store security, and there are a lot of benefits to starting your career here. These jobs are often part time so you can gain valuable job experience while you're still in school.

    Loss prevention jobs offer great opportunities to learn and interact with the criminal justice system, which will serve you well later in your career. The best part is that entry-level loss prevention jobs can grow into great full-time careers.

    • 03
      Security Guard Jobs

      TSA Security Officer Jobs
      ••• U.S. Department of Homeland Security/TSA

      Working as a security guard—especially building, office or other site security which requires you to interact regularly with the public—is an excellent way to hone your communication skills and learn more about what jobs in criminal justice are really like.

      These can also often be part-time jobs, which can free you up to finish school while you're still getting job experience. Security careers are great first steps toward becoming a police officer, and they can even help you on your way to finding federal law enforcement jobs.

    • 04
      Police Patrol Officer Jobs

      Police cameras and videos
      ••• Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

      If you're interested in working in law enforcement as a special agent, a detective, an investigator, a criminal profiler, or any number of other specialized careers, you're going to have to get flat feet first.

      Working the road as a street cop is a prerequisite requirement for just about every other law enforcement or investigative career out there. You're going to have to get your start as a police officer before you begin a lot of great criminal justice jobs.

      • Get Your Foot in the Door to a Great Career

        Everybody has to start somewhere, and that start is usually at the bottom of the ladder. Beginning in one of these entry-level criminal justice jobs will prepare you for a fun and rewarding career in the future. And if you talk to many people who have found success in their jobs, they'll probably tell you that they fondly remember their humble beginnings as some of the best times of their careers.
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