Picking up where Exploring and Understanding Careers in Criminal Justice, left off, Matthew J. Sheridan and Thomas J. Lalka provide an updated guide for the novice and professional alike. The chapters are crafted to provide essential information to guide the job seeker from entrance into the profession, through career development, occupational refocus, professional options, to retirement preparation. Taking into consideration the effects of the pandemic, current social unrest, and recent tragedies, the authors examine how the "new normal" will bring change and opportunities throughout criminal justice careers. With an emphasis on planning, personal development, and preparation this book outlines career paths that can provide rewards for satisfaction during and after careers. On top of invaluable information on a variety of specific careers, this book also includes sixteen appendices that cover successful job hunting, internships, a guide to interview questions, a document portfolio checklist, paying for college, and profiles of 18 professionals in criminal justice field from a parole officer to a correctional architect. This is an excellent resource for students, faculty, advisors, and classroom instruction for guidance into a successful criminal justice career that will be loved, from first employment to retirement.
Matthew J. Sheridan, Ed.D. More than 30 years in New Jersey Departments of Corrections, Human Services, and Law and Public Safety. He is a professor at Rutgers and Georgian Court universities. Sheridan is the Director of criminal justice internships at GCU. He is the author of numerous articles and the co-author of Exploring and Understanding Careers in Criminal Justice and the Historical Dictionary of American Criminal Justice. Thomas J. Lalka DBA, MBA. A Kroger Corporation executive, Board member for the Universal Pricing Code Council, Director of academics in the US and faculty development coordinator in Japan for the Graduate Business/Management and Education Military Programs Asia Pacific. Currently, he is a professor of Business with Missouri Western State University.
Preface to the second edition Preface to the first edition Foreword by Judith A. Waters, Ph.D. Acknowledgments List of Acronyms and Abbreviations List of Appendices Introduction: Why Another Book on Criminal Justice Careers There Is So Much Information Available. Why Another Book? Career Profiles The Index The Appendix Bibliography of References and Suggested Readings Chapter 1: Exploring Careers in Criminal Justice A Brief Review of the Criminal Justice System Careers and Professionals The Criminal Justice Environment The Courts Law Enforcement Corrections Civilian versus Law Enforcement The Road to Career Selection College Courses A Sample College Curriculum Law Enforcement Curriculum Corrections Curriculum Four-Year Degree and University Study Your Selection of College Courses and the Internship Career Goals Civilian and Law Enforcement Interaction Summary Chapter 2: Careers in Law Enforcement Introduction Job Postings for Law Enforcement Officers The Application Process Documentation: The Application Portfolio References The Interview Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Tests, Requirements, and Other Qualifications Access to Academy Training Education Requirements Academy Training Careers, Black Lives Matter, Excessive Force, and Political and Social Unrest The Benefits of Law Enforcement The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Medical and Retirement Benefits for Law Enforcement Multiculturalism in Law Enforcement A Second Language On the Job A Note about the Military Police Summary Chapter 3: Careers in Corrections Introduction Institutional Corrections Law Enforcement Are They Guards or Correctional Officers? Rising Through the Ranks The Benefits of Correctional Employment Correctional Officer Job Duties and Responsibilities Internal Affairs The Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Special Functions of the Sheriff's Officers and/or Deputy Sheriffs Parole and Probation Officers Parole versus Probation Parole Officers Parole Training The Work of Parole Electronic Monitoring Interstate Parole Contract The Probation Officer Requirements for a Probation Officer Civilian Careers Private Prisons and Community Corrections Job Stress Community Corrections Chapter 4: The Courts, Its Actors, and Its Functions Introduction Attorneys Judges Sheriffs Coroners Forensic Scientists Probation Other Judiciary Staff Summary Chapter 5: The Federal Government Introduction The Federal Government Employment Search Citizenship Education Requirements Age Requirements Salaries Background Checks The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Orientation Training Volunteer, Internships, Externships, Work-Study, and Summer Employment Programs Summary Chapter 6: Internships, Volunteering, Externships, and Part Time Employment Introduction COVID-19 - The New Wrinkle of the Academic Experience Maximizing the Academic Experience Freshman Year - Adjustment Career Focus The Professor and the Syllabus Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year - Pulling Out All the Stops for a Career Eliminating Loose Ends for the Career Search Summary - Begin Before the Degree is in Hand Introduction to Internships Goals Internships The Criminal Justice Virtual Internship The Pros and Cons of the Virtual Internship The Upside The Downside Pros and Cons Summary The Virtual Intern An Orientation to the Virtual Internship What the Prospective Intern Needs to Know Virtual Internship Training The Internship Coordinator and the On-Site Mentor Relationship On-Line Support and Feedback Evaluation of the Virtual Internship Experience Some Final Notes for the Virtual Internship Internship Summary A Resource for Virtual Internships Volunteering Externships Part Time Work Summary Chapter 7: Getting the Job, Entering the Field, and Career Advancement Introduction Finding Job Openings Reading the Job Posting The Cover Letter How Important Is Your Resume? Job Killers Networking: The most valuable tool for your career A Step-by-Step Networking Strategy for Career Development Prepare, Prepare, Prepare Career Examples Practical Suggestions The Application Prior Encounters with the Police Your References The Exam The Interview The Training Academy Preparing for the Training Academy First Days on the Job Summary Chapter 8: Criminal Justice Ethics Introduction The Slippery Slope of Criminal Justice Typologies of Misconduct The Consequences of Unethical Conduct A Few Principles that Guide Correct and Ethical Decision-Making Why Do Violations of Ethical Conduct Occur? Resolving the Ethical Controversy Corrections Parole Policing The Court and the Pursuit of Justice YOU: The Ethical Justice Professional Chapter 9: Career Transitions in Criminal Justice Introduction Part A - Career Advancement Part B - Career Changes Career Changes and Moving Forward The Awkward Departure Leave Every Position Gracefully The Letter of Resignation Personal Evaluation Summary to Part B Part C - Career Crisis Conflicts in Criminal Justice Part D - Life After the Career - or Retirement The Post Career Transition The Failure to Plan Retirement and the Twenty-Five Year Plan Retirement Readiness Summary Chapter 10: Privatized Criminal Justice (Careers in the Private Sector) Introduction - Employment opportunities Educational Background Introduction to Private Detectives, Corrections, Police, and Risk Management Private Investigators or Detectives Private Corrections Private Police Private Security Risk Management Job Responsibility, Education, and Credentialing Certifications A Profile of a Risk Management Professional Lowe's Asset Protection Agent Appendix 1: Directory of Profiles in Criminal Justice Appendix 2: Interest, Inquiry, and Cover Letters Appendix 3: A Guide to Interview Questions Appendix 4: Sample Resume and CV Appendix 5: The Career Fair Appendix 6: The Benefits and Downsides of Online Courses Appendix 7: Document Portfolio Checklist Appendix 8: Civil Service Examinations Appendix 9: U.S. Federal Law Enforcement Agencies and Websites Appendix 10: Important Websites Appendix 11: Criminal Justice Jobs Appendix 12: Private and Nonprofit Agencies and Professional Organizations Appendix 13: Vermont Police Academy Basic Training and Physical Fitness Training Appendix 14: Paying for College Appendix 15: Criminal Justice and Trade Publications Appendix 16: Codes of Ethics Glossary
Clearly one the most comprehensive and up to date books written on the topic of criminal justice careers written and published to date. Building upon the original, updated, and now revised book on this subject Professors Sheridan and Lalka take into account recent changes the COVID-19, Black Lives Matters, and pressures for law enforcement and correctional reform have had on the field of criminal justice for both current criminal justice practitioners and those considering working in the field.--Jeffrey Ian Ross, University of Baltimore Contemporary Criminal Justice Careers: A Comprehensive Guide is a cornucopia of information for those with an interest, or even just a potential interest, in a career in criminal justice. In lively, accessible prose it covers a wide range of issues, from how to prepare for a job interview with the police, to the difference between parole officers and probation officers, to an overview of basic ethical issues that arise in the field. It even includes advice on how to think about changing career paths. Updated for the post-Covid world, this is book is a great resource for those who advise or seek advice about the field of criminal justice.--Alec Walen, Director of the Program in Criminal Justice, and Professor of Law and Philosophy, Rutgers University This book provides a bridge from college to professional careers in the criminal justice field. It is an important tool to help the reader plan and prepare to attain employment and advancement in an extremely competitive and demanding field. It can also be used by college advisors and career management personnel.--James Kenny, Professor, Fairleigh Dickinson University Every aspect of the criminal justice system is undergoing fundamental rethinking. As public policymakers and administrators in the criminal justice system respond to the issue of crime in all its complexity, the need to employ quality staff is critical. Contemporary Criminal Justice Careers: A Comprehensive Guide provides helpful advice and guidance for those interested in careers such as policing, adjudication, sentencing, imprisonment, and community corrections. It is a "must-have" book for those interested in career opportunities and for those currently employed or retiring from the system.--Robert A. Hood, M.Ed., Warden (Ret.), United States Supermax Penitentiary, CO
