Careers Advice: A Criminal Career

No, I’m not suggesting that you turn to crime but I am suggesting that you could have a career in criminal justice and perhaps help offenders to consider a new career. There are great prospects working in the field of criminal justice. My name is Morel Benard, I am an educator and a bit of a poet, I write about careers advice for students and careers advice for adults. I appreciate both academic and creative work and don’t take myself too seriously, hence the use of storytelling, rhythm and rhyme to educate and entertain you in style. 

Choosing a Career

Deciding on a career should be as easy as A, B, C, and for some people it is, they have it all figured out, they know exactly what they want to do. My friend Bessie knew exactly what she wanted to do, she now works as an accountant, balancing the books and using all kind of tax tools. Other friends simply didn’t have a clue of what to do. 

Career Pathways

If you’re deciding on your path in life, I suggest that you start by noting your interests and writing down how you prefer to spend your time. Say for example that you like spending time reading novels about crime, then perhaps you have a criminogenic mind and would be great working in prisons, solving crime or designing rehabilitation programmes to help prisoners shape a new life. A career as a Forensic Psychologist could also be on the cards, but you will need to undertake some studying, so if returning to Uni is not for you, don’t worry there are other avenues. 

Forensic Psychologist

As a Forensic Psychologist you will learn about legal processes in the criminal court, apply psychological theories to criminal investigations and analyse behaviours in view of criminality of course. You will learn about therapies to treat those who have committed crimes, you will learn how to identify those who will lie. You will pilot and implement treatment programmes, do statistical analysis, research on profiling and give evidence. In some instances you will advise probation boards, mental health tribunals and you will meet prisoners galore. If a Forensic Psychologist you will be,  you could work for HM Prison Service, social services or in some other field, but you will need a degree. 

Question: 

Is Forensic Psychology of interest to you? Do let me know and I will re-visit the career. 

Forensic Psychologist Education:

You will need to be a Graduate for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) or American Psychological Association (APA)

Study for an accredited Master in Forensic Psychology

Undertake 2 years supervised practice 

Jobs can be found in Psychologist Appointments and media. 

See www.bps.org.uk 

Study-Coach-UK (Morel Benard: Educator/Storyteller/Spoken Word Artist).