A probation officer supervises persons awaiting trial by the Justice Department with the aim of rehabilitating them. The officer works in collaboration with the law enforcement, social services department, and other institutions to assist the offenders (Edith). For example, offenders require education and training, counseling services, as well as job placement and housing facilities when not under arrest. A probation officer who desires to upgrade to a managerial position must have vast experience in their current position and a master’s or doctorate degree.
My Plan to be a Probation Officer
To become a probation officer, I must complete a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, sociology, psychology, or any other field related to criminology (Criminal Justice Degree Schools). For a managerial or supervisory position, I will be required to hold a master’s degree in either sociology or counseling. Other essential areas of study include effective communication both in written and oral forms. In addition, patience and ability to issue directives and instructions are an added advantage. A probation officer is also required to have effective time management skills.
Overall, the remuneration for probation officers differs considerably based on their location. In the large cities and metropolitan areas, a probation officer has a high probability of earning more than those deployed in rural regions. My objective is to work in the state of Virginia. According to the findings collated by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a probation officer is guaranteed an average salary of approximately $49,360 annually and a benefits package that consists of health and life insurance cover, a paid vacation, and a retirement plan. The following is a mind map indicating the various areas that I will have to focus on to achieve my career.
Mind Map
Figure 1. Map showing areas that I will focus on to become a probation officer.
Works Cited
Criminal Justice Degree Schools. “Probation Officer: Career Guide.” https://www.criminaljusticedegreeschools.com/criminal-justice- careers/probation-officer/. Accessed January 15 2019.
Edith N. Burleigh. “Probation and Parole” Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology , vol 12, no. 3, 1922. . https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www .google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1800&context=jclc. Accessed January 15 2019.
United States Department of Labor. “Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists.” https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community- and- social- service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm. Accessed
January 15 2019.