Includes bibliographical references and index.

Planning. Knowing yourself -- Setting realistic goals -- Pursuing. Law enforcement -- Forensic science -- Victim services -- Courts -- Corrections -- Private security and investigations -- Preparing. Volunteering and internships -- Getting a foot in the door -- The interview.

Section 1. Planning : 1. Know yourself : What you don't know can hurt you ; Guest speaker : Steve Palmer, FBI Special Agent ; Self-assessments : What color is your parachute?; Keirsey Temperament Sorter; True colors; What type am I?; The four temperaments; What color is your personality?; Jung typology test; Minnesota State Careerwise Education; Monster -- 2. Setting realistic goals : Set realistic goals ; Issues in police work : The use of deception; The role of acting in police work; The use of discretion; The use of force; The polygraph test; Interviewing and interrogating; Internal investigations ; Issues in the judicial system : The power of persuasion; Attitude; Communication skills; Salary issues; Power and responsibility; Ethics in court; The battle of wits ; Issues in corrections : The communication gap; The dangers for correctional officers ; Guest speaker : Brian Cole, director of corrections : Alternative correctional careers ; The realities of working in criminal justice ; Change ; The search for happiness -- Section 2. Pursuing : 3. Law enforcement : Local law enforcement : Game and fish warden ; Guest speaker : Jan Strauss, retired police chief : Gaming officer; Campus police; Reserve officer; Nonsworn opportunities -- Federal law enforcement : FBI; DEA; ATF; U.S. Border Patrol; ICE; U.S. Secret Service; USMS; Nonsworn positions ; Diversity in law enforcement ; Experience -- 4. Forensic science : Crime scene technicians ; Guest speaker : Shayleen Eastman, crime scene specialist III ; Forensic scientist ; Medical examiner ; Investigation technician ; Criminalist : DNA analyst; Toxicologist ; Forensic nurse examiner ; Forensic psychiatrist ; Forensic interview ; Forensic entomologist ; Diversity in forensic science -- 5. Victim services : Domestic violence coalitions ; Police departments ; Guest speaker : Gina McAlister, victim services specialist ; Courts and prosecutors' offices ; Hospitals ; Other victim services ; Diversity in victim services -- 6. Courts : Law school ; The job search ; Law careers : Judge ; Guest speaker : Charles W. Ervin, superior court judge : Prosecutor ; Public defender ; Careers that do not require a law degree : Court clerk; Municipal court supervisor ; Diversity in law careers -- 7. Corrections : State correctional officer ; County detention officer ; City jailer ; Parole and probation officers ; Juvenile rehabilitation specialist ; Home detention officer ; Probation aide ; Guest speaker : Julie Glover, sergeant, San Diego Sheriff's Department -- Parole board hearing officer ; Private prisons ; Diversity in corrections -- 8. Private security and investigations : Security officer ; Guest speaker : Timothy W. Newton, private security supervisor ; Private investigator ; Loss prevention ; Armed security guard ; Diversity issues in private security -- Section 3. Preparing : 9. Volunteering and internships : Law enforcement ; Courts ; Guest speaker : Jennifer D. Griffin, director of training and the administrator for the Council on Police Training ; Corrections ; Diversity in volunteering and internships -- 10. Getting a foot in the door : Portfolios : Letters of recommendation; Certificates; Education documentation; CV and résumé ; Guest speaker: Colton Johnston, attorney and law clerk ; Interview preparation : Police ride-along; Court and attorney observations; Practice ; Firearms ; Physical fitness ; Education and grades ; The LSAT ; The application form ; Written tests ; Psychological tests -- 11. The interview : Punctuality ; Guest speaker : Michael Norzagaray, former juvenile probation officer ; Appearance ; Body language ; Introductions ; Sample oral board questions ; Do's and don'ts ; A personal note to minorities, women, and LGBTQ individuals ; A note to law students ; Concluding remarks.