Future Careers in Criminal Justice

High school students want to go into the criminal justice field. Whether they are interested in a career as an officer, a forensic scientist, or a lawyer, BB2C receives numerous job shadowing requests for this field each year. But the job shadowing and internship opportunities in the field are often limited for students who are under 18. And for the students looking to enter the Police Officer or Peace Officer Academy when they turn 21, they first have to figure out what to do for two or three years after graduating from high school before they are eligible. This disconnect between high school graduation and the eligibility requirement for the academies can hinder a students motivation around this career pathway as well as negatively impact a community’s ability to recruit officers.

BB2C turned to the students for their ideas on how to solve this issue. Their solution? Future Careers in Criminal Justice (FCCJ). FCCJ is a group that began as a collaborative between BB2C and local students interested in criminal justice, law enforcement, and legal students. BB2C staff members talked with students about their ideas on how to support, engage, motivate, and prepare themselves and their peers for these types of careers. Over the past several weeks, students have met to formally name the group, set the current meeting time (weekly at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays through a virtual platform), brainstorm ideas for guest speakers, and discuss how they can work both individually and together to give back to their communities. [The baskets in the picture are part of the community service project undertaken by Founding student member Dana Perry.] The students and staff have also talked about certifications that the students can do both in high school and after graduation to make them stronger candidates in their chosen career field, such as CPR and First Aid, Trauma-Informed Care, and Public Speaking. Speakers have already visited and community service projects have already started.

Because this student group meets virtually, students from Washington County as well as from other BB2C Network counties can join. Current members include students from Athens, Guernsey, Noble, and Washington Counties. Future Careers in Criminal Justice is open to students in 7th through 12th grades. For more information, contact Tonya Davis, Program and Event Facilitator, at tdavis@BB2Careers.org.

I joined FCCJ to learn more about the type of careers in law enforcement and specifically in being a criminal lawyer. It has been beneficial to me because I have learned more about the amount of college time that is needed to be a lawyer and about types of pathways I can take to become a lawyer.
Sonia Alfman, Founding Student Member of FCCJ

This group has been extremely beneficial to me. It has helped me make connections and gain more knowledge of the law enforcement Career and the best ways to get to where I need to be.
Sonny Britton, Founding Student Member of FCCJ

The FCCJ Group is so beneficial to anyone that would like to pursue anything in the Criminal Justice field. I joined the group because I saw potential in not only helping me but helping other people learn more. This group has given me so much information about the career I plan to pursue and I'm getting more everyday.
Brayden Endly, Founding Student Member of FCCJ