Criminal Justice

Contact your local district attorney's office, usually by county, to set up a time for you to job shadow. Part of this experience is working well with others which in this case would also include your parents and school officials. This experience causes you to take the initiative and work on collaboration which are necessary skills for becoming a good lawyer. Hands on experience is the best way to acquire any skills even transferable skills like these. It will help you to determine if you really like the work of an attorney, not just the thought of being one. You might want to visit different settings: a large urban (city) area, a smaller rural community or even visit the city where your state capitol is located.

Call the local police station and set up a time to interview a traffic officer. You might want to think of some questions you would like to ask them before calling. For example, what is the best and worst part of your job? What do you do most days? Who do you typically work with and what people do you serve. In addition, ask them very specifically what problems they typically have to solve. How do they determine fault? Ask if they will let you be involved in one of their cases and see if can follow some of the thoughts as they make decisions regarding who is at fault in a traffic accident.

You can ride with a police officer in their scout car once you turn 18. You would need to ask an officer if you could ride with them or inquire at your school to find an officer that may be available. This will help you understand the profession in a more complete way. You will also be granted the opportunity to ask lots of questions as things come up during your job shadow experience and you will develop some connections which is helpful when acquiring a job.

Find an officer and ask them what is the most difficult thing about their job. Ask what kind of training or transferable skills required. Ask what character qualities are critical for a law officer? These are the character qualities you must begin to acquire. If you do not want to work toward that, then being a police officer might not be a good fit for you. There are a number of ways to get involved with other officers when you are young by working with them in their programs of outreach to the community. Part of being a officer is creating a safe environment not just punitive measures.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" which is why police officers try to creatively shape safe communities! They try to meet unmet needs that could provoke violence. Check out these programs 

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" which is why police officers try to creatively shape safe communities!  Check out these programs 

K9 University is great place to start. They will typically welcome your visit and you will get the experience of working with these amazing dogs. Determining if you would like to be around these kinds of dogs is a part of exploring your interests. This would be a great place to volunteer which could eventually lead to a part or full time job. Let them know in the interview of your interest in being part of the K-9 unit.