The University of North Texas

Date: Aug 04 2020
Major: Criminal (This Major's Salary over time)
I enjoyed everything i learned from my Criminal Justice Degree, but i am disappointed that i did not learn more information specifically towards the career path i want to go into. I was actually told in an interview with Richardson Police Department that they were "ashamed" of the education i had received regarding police work. I didn't take this too much to heart because i've done my homework, gone on ride alongs etc., so i know what the job is like. But i will say they had one point - this school could've done a lot better to offer more policing relevant courses. The only course they had specific to policing was police systems, and it was just a rough general overview. All the other courses focused on criminal procedure, criminal investigations and criminal law - all helpful, but not quite helpful for when trying to get that job first out of college. While i loved learning everything i did from this degree program, i am sad to say i don't think i would do it over again. I didn't learn enough, and no one seems to want to hire me because i am young, fresh out of college with no life experiences. I would say if you want to get into policing, major in something else - something you can get a good paying job in out of college, and then later once you're older with life experiences, you should then try for a policing job. They don't seem to care much about what you've majored in. The only places that will look at me right now are companies who will pay you about $14.50 an hour - and that's ridiculous considering how much money i just spent obtaining a degree. Just something to think about! I minored in psychology, and right now i'm just wishing i had majored in that. It's still a helpful background for law enforcement. Right now i'm just crossing my fingers hoping one of these policing jobs come through - but with COVID, and the political issues going around these days, it is making getting hired as an officer very difficult if you are female.