I Plan on researching Forensic Science as the career field for this project.
A. Descriptions 1. Career One Stop, Job Description Forensic Science Technicians, on the internet at http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=&optstatus=111111111&jobfam=19&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=194092&stfips=12&x=33&y=10 2. About, Career Planning, Forensic Scientist, on the internet at http://careerplanning.about.com/cs/occupations/p/forensic_tech.htm 3. Discover, Forensic Scientist, on the internet at http://actapps.act.org/eDISCOVER/IndexStart.jsp
B. Professional Organizations 1. American Academy of Forensic Sciences, on the internet at http://www.aafs.org/ 2. Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists, on the internet at http://www.swafs.us/
C. Schools, Colleges, or Universities 1. University of Florida Forensic Science Distance Education on the internet at http://www.ufl.edu/ http://www.forensicscience.ufl.edu/ 2. University of Central Florida Forensic Science, on the internet at http://www.ucf.edu/ http://chemistry.cos.ucf.edu/undergraduate_degree_forensic.php
D. Employers 1. Michigan Civil Service Commission Job Specification, Forensic Scientist, on the internet at http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/ForensicScientist_MI.pdf 2. North Carolina Department of Justice, Forensic Scientist 1, on the internet at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/northcarolina/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=421597 3. Wyoming Attorney General Division of Criminal Investigation, Forensic Science Analyst, on the internet at http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/JOB-11-12-13.html
E. Non-Web Resources 1. Echaore-McDavid, Susan. Career Opportunities in Forensic Science. New York: Ferguson, 2008. Print. ISBN:0816061564 2. Judith, Williams. Forensic Scientist: Careers Solving Crimes and Scientific Mysteries. N.p.: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 2009. Print. ISBN:0766030512 3. Lee, Henry. The Real World of a Forensic Scientist: Renowned Experts Reveal What It Takes to Solve Crimes. N.p.: Prometheus Books, 2009. Print. ISBN: 9781591027294
A forensic scientist is responsible for collecting, identifying, classifying, and analyzing physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Forensic Scientist interpret laboratory findings and test results in order to identify and classify substances, materials, and other evidence collected at crime scenes. Most of the time, they are asked to present this information in court. I would love to pursue this career; in fact, I am already headed towards that direction. I am currently pursuing an AA degree in criminology. I feel that this career would fit well into my lifestyle. Currently, I do not have a family of my own so I would not have anything distracting me from working. When I do finally have a family, I plan on managing my time between my family and job. After researching this career on many websites, I found that this job might be hard to find an opening for. It seems that the northern part of the United States is hiring for this occupation. I noticed that cities with higher crime rates are more likely to have job openings in this field. That being said, I will probably have to relocate if I want to seek a job in this career. I think this could be a challenge for me. I haven’t moved from my hometown since I was born and never planned on it. My family lives here and I would hate to move away from them because we are so close! This occupation will definitely challenge me to exercise aspects of my personality that I don’t like. I am a very closed person and I tend to keep to myself. A forensic scientist mainly works in labs with other people so I would have to work on being a friendlier person.
There are a few things I would love about being a forensic scientist such as; analyzing samples and evidence in the lab, attending and examining crime scenes, and working with the police department. These tasks match my interest. However, there are a few tasks that do not. Such as; justifying findings in the court of law, writing detailed reports for courts, and instructing on procedures for cases.
An aspect of this occupation that may be stressful or challenging is being exposed to crime scenes. I do not know how I will react when I first have to examine a dead body at a crime scene. However, I think this is something I could become familiar and comfortable with. Another stressor this job may bring on is being rushed to come up with information on the crime or the person. I have seen forensic scientists on television shows that are pushed to present evidence and information to help the investigators solve the crime. Also, if I have a family it may be difficult to talk about my work with my children. The environments and situations I place myself in may scare them. I really am interested in this career so I hope to pursue it and work as a forensic scientist for the rest of my life!