True crime is a popular genre that is full of mystery, appeals to our sense of justice, and is, on the whole, exciting. To the victims, however, the story behind that case that gripped you is devastating. If you want to actively help those victims and their families, then move away from the true crime podcast and use this guide to turn your passion into a thriving career that can help catch criminals and bring justice to those they’ve wronged.

What Degree Should I Earn?

There are so many careers that either work directly under true crime or at least work adjacent to it. While you can start a podcast, write a book, or work on the entertainment side of true crime with almost any background, those interested in being at the forefront of the investigation will need either a forensic science degree, a criminology degree, or a psychology degree.

Forensic Science Degree

If your passion lies in hunting down clues and using science and reasoning to find the perpetrator and get justice, forensic science is the perfect degree option for you. It is through the hard work of forensic science that more cases today can be solved – including cold cases. This makes it a thrilling career that really puts you in a critical position in any case.

Criminology Degree

Criminology helps you understand the psychological and sociological causes of crime. It will help you understand crime from the viewpoint of a detective, police officer, or even lawyer. Will you need to further your training afterward? Yes. To become a police officer, you can’t just walk in with a criminology degree and get started. You’ll need to go through the police academy. Similarly, you’ll need to earn a law degree to practice law. Criminology, however, can be a great backdrop degree.

Psychology Degree

A degree in psychology, particularly criminal psychology, is an excellent choice if you’re interested in working in criminal profiling. This field involves analyzing criminal behavior to develop profiles that help law enforcement officials catch criminals. You can end up working at the front of an investigation or in a research capacity to help law enforcement understand and catch criminals sooner.

Types of Careers You Can Get Started In

Once you have obtained your degree, you can start pursuing your new career paths. Don’t get caught up in the most obvious option, either. You can work in so many roles, including:

  • Crime Scene Investigator: A crime scene investigator analyzes crime scenes to gather evidence that can be used in criminal investigations.
  • Forensic Scientist: Forensic scientists work in labs analyzing evidence such as blood samples, DNA, and fingerprints to help solve crimes.
  • Criminal Profiler: A criminal profiler analyzes crime scenes and evidence to develop a profile of the suspect.
  • Detective: Detectives work with law enforcement officials to investigate and solve crimes.
  • Paralegal: Paralegals work with lawyers to research cases and prepare legal documents related to criminal cases.

Getting Your First Job

After completing your degree, it’s time to begin the search for your first job. You can start by looking for open positions online, by interning, or by networking with professionals in your field. To increase your chances of success, it’s important to have a well-written resume that effectively highlights your education, experience, and skills. It’s also crucial to customize your resume for each job you apply for.

This article was provided by James Daniels.