1. Introduction: Why another book on criminal justice careers? : Career profiles -- 2. 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 ; Internships and volunteering ; Volunteering ; Career goals ; Changing careers ; Leaving the criminal justice profession (retirement or transition) ; The conflicts in criminal justice ; Civilian and law enforcement interaction -- 3. Careers in law enforcement : Job postings for law enforcement officers ; The application process ; Documentation: the application portfolio ; References ; The interview ; Tests, requirements, and other qualifications ; Access to academy training ; Education requirements ; Academy training ; The benefits of law enforcement ; The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) ; Medical and retirement benefits ; Multiculturalism in law enforcement ; On the job ; A note about the military police -- 4. Careers in corrections : 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 -- 5. The courts, its actors, and its functions : Attorneys ; Judges ; Defense attorneys ; Prosecutors/district attorneys ; Other roles for attorneys ; Sheriffs ; Coroners ; Forensic scientists ; Probation ; Other judiciary staff -- 6. The Federal Government : the Federal Government employment search ; Salaries ; Background checks ; The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) ; Orientation training ; Volunteer, internships, externships, work-study, and summer employment programs --

7. Getting the job, entering the field, and career advancement : Career advancement ; Finding job openings ; Reading the job posting ; The cover letter ; How important is your résumé? ; Job killers ; Networking ; 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 ; Finding the job is not for you, or how do you move on? ; The awkward departure -- 8. Criminal justice ethics : Types of unethical conduct ; 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 -- 9. Life after the career, or "I can't live on that!" : The failure to plan ; What to have after retirement ; What benefits does the job offer? ; Deferred compensation ; Preparation for the undergraduate ; The practitioner turned academic ; The practitioner turned consultant, expert witness, or advisor -- List of appendices : Directory of profiles in criminal justice ; Interest, inquiry, and cover letters ; A guide to interview questions ; Sample résumé and CV ; The Career Fair Plan ; The benefits and downsides of online courses ; document portfolio checklist ; Civil Service examinations ; U.S. Federal Law Enforcement Agencies and websites ; Important websites ; Criminal Justice jobs ; Private and nonprofit agencies and professional organizations ; Vermont Police Academy basic training and physical fitness training ; Paying for college ; Criminal justice and trade publications ; Codes of ethics.