Summarize this article:

Professional groups provide opportunities to network, present and learn about research, continue your education, and find jobs. There are a number of organizations serving the field of criminology, such as: The International Society for Criminology The American Society of Criminology The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences The Law and Society Association The Midwestern Criminal Justice Association The Western Society of Criminology Individuals trained in criminology find work in numerous careers. While you may look for an entry-level position at first, there are usually good opportunities for advancement. However it may be difficult to cross fields. For instance, if you are hired with a state agency, it might be more difficult to later get an advanced job at a federal agency, and vice versa. Criminologists find positions with: Police departments The FBI State and local governmental agencies Colleges and universities Consultancy agencies During the process of being hired for a job in criminology, you can expect to have to pass background and security checks. As participants in the fight against crime, criminologists are expected to have good records and impeccable ethics. Your day-to-day work as a criminologist will vary depending upon your specific position and area of expertise. Most jobs in the field, however, eventually involve some combination of fieldwork, analysis, and reporting. For instance: You might be present at a crime scene, to help gather evidence and determine exactly what occurred. You might investigate how the crime is related to social issues. For instance, you might consider how crimes are related to other problems, such as drug abuse, poverty, and corruption. You might be involved with cataloging information, processing data, and writing reports based on criminal investigations. You might be involved with helping policy makers determine how to respond to and eliminate crime. Many individuals trained in criminology wind up working in jobs that do not bear the title "criminologist." Nevertheless, these careers can be just as fulfilling, and draw on your skills, training, and experience. Job titles of people with a background in criminology include: Border Patrol Agent Compliance Officer Court Administrator Evidence Technician Federal Protection Officer I.R.S. Agent Legal Assistant Penologist
Join a professional association. Look for a job. Pass background checks. Excel at your job. Investigate alternative careers.