So, what is your dream job? Ever thought about?

Well, regardless of what program you are studying at Rasmussen College, it’s never too early to start looking for your dream job!!!! Even if you are a few quarters from graduating, you can learn valuable information by studying current job postings. For instance, the West Fargo Police Department has an opening for a patrol officer.

Reviewing current job postings and listed qualifications will give you information about the type of qualities that local law enforcement agencies are looking for in applicants. In addition, you can “practice” putting together you resume. Plus, when planning your future and your career, gathering information is never “a waste of time.” When it comes time to seriously looking for a job, you’ll already have experience doing so! You know the saying, "knowledge is power!"

If you don’t want to be a police officer, but you are still interested in a career in Criminal Justice, click here to read about a posting in Fargo for a Juvenile Court Officer. Again, researching current positions can give you guidance in planning your career and when choosing electives for your class schedules.

So, as we approach the holiday season and 2009, I encourage you to spend a few minutes reviewing current job postings. I think you will find the postings interesting and informative.

If you’d like to visit about careers in Criminal Justice or have any questions, email me at Patty.Laney@Rasmussen.edu or give me a call at 701-277-3889 and we’ll chat. Good luck as we approach finals week!

 www.geteducated.com

Get Educated gives $1,000 scholarships to students enrolled with a 3.0 GPA in online degree programs from accredited colleges. The last two winners have been students in criminal justice. 

A few weeks ago, the Mankato Campus of Rasmussen College held a criminal justice career fair & advisory board.  About 18 people from various criminal justice agencies gave their advice to students on employment.

The most common statement from criminal justice professionals was that students should get experience in the criminal justice field while they are going to school.  Any kind of job, internship or volunteer experience would be beneficial to a student becoming employed in the criminal justice field.

In addition, when you interview, either for that internship or a job, the board members emphasized three points:

1.  Be on time to your interview or meeting
2.  Look professional- many CJ jobs require a uniform- therefore appearance is important
3.  Know who you are talking to-research the agency that you are meeting or interviewing with. 

In addition, know who is head of the agency (sheriff, director, chief, etc.) know what the agency does, what is expected of the position for which you are interviewing. Hopefully once you get that internship or volunteer opportunity make sure you do a good job.  Be on time, problem solve, be committed.  Criminal justice agencies do background investigations and check on references.  You do want a glowing review from your internship or volunteer coordinator for that next job.

And of course college.   In addition to real world experience, the board members emphasized the importance of college.  The criminal justice employers explained to students that writing, reading and problem solving are the skills most utilized in the criminal justice field. 

Every action and reaction is documented in criminal justice therefore one needs to know how to write down incidents and actions that happen.  Reading- everything that is written down and documented needs to be read by other officers, the courts, and correctional officials.  And problem solving- most criminal justice jobs are fast-paced and independent.  When a problem arises you do not always have the time to ask other people how to solve the problem – therefore you need to be the person to solve the problem. 

So go to college, focus on reading, writing and problem solving.  Get into the field, volunteer, do an internship and you will be on your way to making a difference in the world through criminal justice.

Be safe…

Agencies in attendance at the Rasmussen College , Mankato Criminal Justice Fair:
 

• Welcome Manor Family Services
• State Operated Forensic Services    
• Nicollet County Sheriff Department 
• Mankato Department of Public Safety   
• Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office   
• Elmore Academy   
• Blue Earth Community Corrections  
• Minnesota Department of Corrections- Faribault Prison  
• Minnesota River Valley Juvenile Detention Center 

Welcome to the Rasmussen College Criminal Justice blog!  The goal of this blog is to engage in meaningful “conservations” about the Criminal Justice programs at Rasmussen College and have an on-going dialogue about issues in criminal justice as related to law, justice and careers. 

The criminal justice community is actually smaller than one would think.  Whether you are studying to become a police officer, a correctional treatment specialists or a criminal court advocate there are associations and websites that promote a community of criminal justice agents.  Some of the websites I frequent to keep in touch with the criminal justice community are Officer.com, PoliceOne.com, American Correctional Association, In addition, each state has information and associations in all areas of criminal justice. A few examples are: Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards & Training, Minnesota Corrections, Florida Police Chiefs Association, and the Juvenile Justice Association of Texas. 

The Rasmussen College Criminal Justice blog is an open forum of communication between any and all participants.  However, criminal justice tends to be a hot topic for many people therefore I would like to set a few initial rules, with the understanding that more rules may have to be “enacted” as we develop our own criminal justice community.  Some general ground rules I would propose that we utilize going forward from this point: 

• Be respectful of others, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
• If you are going to make statements, like “crime is rising” you need to back it up with facts.  For instance, according to the FBI’s preliminary report on crime in 2006, law enforcement agencies reported a 1.3% increase in reported violent crime from 2005.  
• Don’t write about things that you shouldn’t be posting in an open forum.  Remember anyone and everyone can read this: future employers, your grandma!

I look forward to the interesting discussions with our own criminal justice community at Rasmussen College.

Be safe……