True crime has been popular for generations. Some of us love to experience the thrill of the chase, and others simply out of interest in the psychology of wrongdoers. People are fascinated by the dark world of crime, which can be seen in the popularity of books, movies and podcasts around the topic.
Not many people know that a love for true crime can be more than a hobby. There are quite a few careers that make use of the knowledge you build up as a true crime junkie, which can include things like psychology, toxicology and the justice system. Below, we’ll cover some relevant career paths you can consider pursuing if you love true crime.
1. Psychologist
As a true crime lover, you probably love to learn about the human psyche and the motivations behind why people do the things they do. If this describes you, being a psychologist is perfect for you. Your curiosity about criminal behaviour, empathy for victims and analytical mindset can all translate into valuable skills for understanding complex psychological patterns.
The path to becoming a professional psychologist is fairly straightforward. Start by studying an undergraduate or graduate diploma of psychology. Then, find a placement where you can learn from more experienced psychologists. Down the line, you may want to specialise in a subset of psychology like criminal, child or sports psychology.
You’ll find plenty of opportunities as a psychologist. There’s a big shortage of healthcare workers in general, which means that there are plenty of people out there who need your expertise.
2. Law Enforcement Officer
Crime is ever-present in society. Just a few months ago, four individuals were charged over a kidnapping in Pemulwuy. Sadly, threats will always be present, so it’s important to have law enforcement officers to help keep the peace in society.
As a true crime lover, becoming a law enforcement officer will make use of the knowledge you already have about criminals and their behaviour. If you’re interested in this particular career path, you’ll need to meet certain age and citizenship requirements. Then, you’ll need to obtain CPR certification, pass a rigorous assessment and then begin training at a police academy. While this is an arduous process, if you get through it, you can be sure you’ll be well-equipped to handle the situations you’ll face as a police officer.
3. Criminologist
Criminology is another field that’s directly relevant for true crime lovers. Unlike law enforcement, you won’t be out there physically apprehending wrongdoers. However, criminologists are just as important to the justice system as police officers, as they’re responsible for understanding how criminals behave and devising ways to stop them.
Being a criminologist requires an understanding of a broad range of specialities, including psychology, sociology and even economics. If you’re interested in how criminals operate but don’t feel like being a police officer is for you, a career in criminology is perfect.
4. Criminal Lawyer
Criminal lawyers provide legal representation for clients involved in criminal cases. These law professionals are tasked with building a defence, negotiating with prosecutors, and generally representing their clients in court proceedings as well as any court applications relating to their case (i.e. bail applications, appeals, etc.).
If you get into crime procedurals and have a bit of a fascination with courtroom proceedings, a career in law is sure to excite. And if you’re a fan of true crime, criminal law is most likely to be the legal specialty that best suits your interests. However, if you do decide to go to law school and pursue a career in the legal sector, you should know that criminal law isn’t the only path you can take. Family, business and immigration law also provide potent lifelong learning opportunities and plenty of daily enrichment and job satisfaction. All of these specialties can also have their own unique opportunities for career progression, so it’s well worth doing a little research and finding the legal discipline that best meets all your interests and career goals.
5. Journalist
Journalists play a big role in many true crime stories. As a crime junkie, becoming a journalist is a fantastic choice for a career, particularly if you have a knack for words. This profession gives you the opportunity (and the excuse) to delve into criminal cases in depth and then write about them at length.
To become a journalist, you can start simply by writing. Do research into topics and cases that interest you, write about them and post them on a blog or a social media platform. You can also pitch your pieces to other publications. Of course, if you’re really serious about a journalistic career, it’s recommended that you take a few courses or even a full degree in journalism at a reputable university. Being a journalist will open paths to speak with interesting people and get the inside scoop on high-profile cases, which are both things that every true crime lover will enjoy.
6. Fiction Writer
Lastly, if you’re a lover of true crime, then it stands to reason that you can also develop a potent passion for crime fiction. If you’ve spent hours on end listening to or reading about details of real-life cases, you probably have a million plot ideas running through your head. So why not borrow from the real world (without plagiarism or defamation, of course) and integrate your knowledge of how criminals operate into your own crime fiction stories?
When most people think of fiction writers, they think of great novelists like Agatha Christie or John Grisham, who’ve penned some of the best crime thrillers ever. However, writing novels isn’t the only path for writers. You can also explore media like plays, short stories or even poetry. Following true crime is sure to have filled your head with plenty of ideas, so to be a fiction writer, all you need to know is how to put these ideas on the page in a way that will resonate with your audience.
Turning a Beloved Pastime into a Bright Future
Many people view a fascination with true crime as a mere pastime, but as you’ve seen, being a true crime junkie gives you plenty of knowledge that’s applicable to a wide range of careers. These careers include law enforcement, journalism and even fiction writing.
So if you’re a true crime fan currently trying to decide what you’d like to do for a living or considering a career change, take the time to explore the different professions we’ve listed above. You may just find your life’s true calling in the professional roles we’ve shared today.
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