Criminal justice classes at an online university or vocational trade school will help prepare you for most every career in this industry. Each job requires different training programs, certificates and personal skills, and each job is more appealing to a different personality. Law enforcement requires strong communication skills to help diffuse potentially dangerous situations, whereas lawyers need to be able to make valid, convincing arguments. Corrections requires a strong understanding of criminal laws to ensure fair treatment of arrested persons, and paralegals will use that knowledge for researching legal cases. The following career paths are areas you can focus on as you consider a career in criminal justice.

Corrections
Also referred to as correctional officers, these professionals ensure the order and security of the correctional facilities where they work. These facilities consist of jails, reformatories, penitentiaries and other institutions. They will also regularly write reports on inmate behavior and the work that is being performed within the facility. Some experience in psychology will help in assessing conflicts, hazards, behavioral incongruities or other suspicious actions from inmates. You will need to be physically fit (for safety and enforcement purposes) and you should have strong written and oral communication skills.

Homeland Security
With the ongoing battle against external and internal threats to the United States, a wide range of careers are available in defending against dangers in such areas as counterterrorism, border security and immigration. These professionals are given the task of securing national borders by surveying airports, seaports and international highways. Homeland security professionals also protect the nation in times of natural disaster, providing critical assistance with delivering supplies, transporting refugees and maintaining care facilities. In this type of career, you will need a strong desire to serve and assist, while also maintaining a hard edge to ensure that our country is kept safe from terrorists.

Law
While lawyers are sometimes jokingly called “professional liars,” these individuals fulfill a necessary and important part of society. They assist in the fair trial of civilians who have allegedly broken the law. Lawyers help protect each client’s rights, while at the same time ensuring that the demands of justice are fulfilled. They research laws, uncover evidence to support either the defense or prosecution of a case, and interview witnesses and experts for court statements. This career is time-intensive, so you will need a strong dedication and motivation to succeed, as well as good communication, researching and analytical skills.

Law Enforcement/Police
The brave and few individuals who take up the call of law enforcement describe it as the experience of a lifetime. Careers as a police officer encompass a wide range of responsibilities and draw upon college degrees in such fields as education, psychology, political science and social work. You will be required to know the intricacies of the justice system to correctly enforce the law and arrest criminals. Your ability to communicate effectively, remain physically fit, and quickly analyze crime scenes or potentially dangerous situations will play heavily into your success in this career.

Paralegal
These professionals play a key role in assisting lawyers. While they are not ultimately responsible for legal work, they are legal assistants and take on much of the work. Their duties are typically planning client meetings, attending hearings and helping lawyers prepare for trials. This career may seem more of a secretarial position, but it relies greatly on the paralegal’s knowledge of the law and how to research it effectively – skills which are developed through courses at vocational trade schools. While you will be unable to argue in court, you will be required to research, analyze, communicate with clients and contacts, and assist lawyers in much of their case work.