Homeland security job growth in Florida is among the best in the nation. Begin your criminal investigations training at a Florida vocational school.

By Jessica Santina
RWM Columnist
March 22, 2007

One of Florida's key industries for job growth is homeland security. The state hosts a crisis simulation training program for first-responders, a global provider of e-commerce security solutions; and an anthrax detection system. That makes Florida an ideal location to earn your criminal investigations degree.

Florida has the country's fourth highest population, and the seventh lowest unemployment rate. It's home to two of Forbes magazine's 2006 Best Cities to Get a Job, and 12 of the top 30 metro areas, based on job growth. Not only that, but with an average high temperature of 81 degrees and an average low of 60, the quality of life in Florida can't be beat. And between the state's remarkable job growth and its commitment to security, both in the public and private sector, career prospects for those with criminal investigations degrees are sunny, too.

The Criminal Investigations Experience
A vocational school program in criminal investigations gives you a solid foundation in both crime scene investigation science and theory. This career-oriented program prepares you for work in federal, state, and local governments, forensic labs, medical examiners' offices, hospitals, insurance companies, universities, arson investigations units, or homicide investigations.

You might go on to become a forensics technician, or even a private investigator. Florida's many offerings provide numerous opportunities to graduates of criminal investigations programs.

Investigating Your Options
As a crime scene investigator, or forensic technician, your work helps to determine how a crime occurred, who committed the crime, and how to better protect citizens in the future. Employment of forensic technicians is expected to increase much faster than average through 2014. The average hourly pay for forensic technicians in 2004 was $21.16, which does not include overtime (a significant addition in this line of work).

Private detectives and investigators work with individuals and companies of all kinds to solve or prevent crimes. Nearly a quarter of them are self-employed, and their ranks are projected to grow faster than average by 2014. Median annual earnings of salaried private investigators were $32,110 in 2004.

With a degree in criminal investigations from one of Florida's vocational schools, you'll receive training that helps you secure the state, and your own successful career.

Sources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Private Detectives and Investigators"
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Science technicians"
• Enterprise Florida

About the Author
Jessica Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and marketing. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.