How to Compare the Pros and Cons of a Career in CSI

Choosing a career should never be a decision taken lightly, as you will likely have to live with your choice for the rest of your working days. Weighing the pros and cons of a career in CSI might seem daunting, but make sure you are well aware of the facts before embarking on such a specialized career choice. Use the following tips to acquaint yourself with the pros and cons of a career in CSI.

Instructions

Examine Each Area of Study

1. Look at the different areas of CSI training, all of which have pros and cons. If you don't like the sight of blood, for example, then crime scene reconstruction is not for you. However, you might enjoy fingerprint examination.

2. Take a few courses in different subjects and see which ones you enjoy the most. You might find that you are well-suited for a career you've never considered before, such as computer forensics or toxicology.

3. Talk with those who are already in the work force to get an idea of the basic structures of each area of study. You can usually contact your local police department and ask if you can speak with someone.

4. Read as much as you can about careers in CSI and soak up as much knowledge as possible. The important thing is to make an informed decision. Crime Scene Evidence by Mike Byrd is an excellent resource.

5. Audit courses in CSI if you don't want to spend money on enrollment just yet. Watching students and professors without active participation can give you a "bird's eye view" of CSI careers.

6. Look up job descriptions for CSIs on the Internet, using sites like HotJobs and Monster for reference. You might find parts of job descriptions that don't appeal to you.

7. Visit the International Association for Identification Web site, which is the single largest forensic organization in the world.

Tips & Warnings

• Never jump into a career in CSI unless you know exactly what the job entails.

• Ask plenty of questions of people who are already employed as CSI professionals.

• Be sure to talk to actual people who have worked in CSI before so you can get a personalized understanding of what a CSI career involves.

• Compare your personal desire for a career in CSI alongside the average salary in the field you are pursuing. CSI professionals can earn between $12.00 and $40.00 per hour, depending on their specialization.

• Some CSI career specializations must include a tolerance for blood and other unpleasantries.

• Many of the CSI careers require an acute knowledge of mathematics, science and criminology.

• All CSI careers are not created equally. Look carefully at the pros and cons for each specialization.