Advancing in Criminal Justice – A Path Toward Fraud Investigations and Career Growth
Criminal Justice Program
Fraud is rising as technology use, and cloud-based computing solutions take center stage. Government agencies, banking institutions, online retailers, and insurance companies are some of the main targets of fraudsters (Weiss, 2015). A career in fraud investigation means I will work for the organizations mentioned above, private investigation companies, or a police department. A fraud investigator is responsible for establishing facts about suspected fraud and related unethical business practices that may lead to fraud.
My interest in pursuing a career path in fraud investigation is due to my detail-oriented and inquisitive personality. A fraud investigator has a fulfilling experience when working on a case from beginning to end (Weiss, 2015). I have read and watched stories of individuals who have lost huge sums of money through online fraud, and such stories are quite sad. I am motivated to pursue a career in fraud investigation and help such individuals recover their money, and I believe this will be quite fulfilling.
A good example of the fraud I hope to prevent is online banking fraud, which is on the rise given the shift from traditional banking to online banking. Fraudsters take advantage of clients with little knowledge of online safeguards to steal from them (Weiss, 2015). Despite the safeguards by most banks, fraudsters still find loopholes and transfer huge amounts of money from unsuspecting clients. Unfortunately, most of these clients receive minimal assistance from their banks; therefore, fraud investigators’ assistance is necessary to determine how the stolen money is being transferred.
Opportunities
After completing the fraud investigation program, the next step is to build valuable networks within the criminal justice system. I will attend conferences relevant to fraud investigation and join professional bodies like the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. I will also create a LinkedIn profile and interact with colleagues virtually. Networking will help me discover the best employers in criminal justice as I seek to grow my career. In the same breath, networking is crucial as it will help me discover emerging trends in the fraud investigation field that will bolster my capabilities.
Moreover, I intend to pursue specialization opportunities to become more effective as a fraud investigator. Fraud investigation is wide, and one may specialize in one of the subsectors, including financial fraud, cyber fraud, insurance fraud, and identity theft, among other opportunities (Meservy et al., 2006). Specialization will help me become more effective in my duties and open more job opportunities. Most employers search for specialists who will deliver the best results and provide value for the compensation they receive.
Besides, I wish to advance my skills by enrolling in further education and pursuing existing certifications to enhance my productivity. For instance, forensic accounting and a master’s in criminal justice are some opportunities I may leverage to improve my capabilities. Acquiring advanced education will provide more insights into emerging trends in the field. Technology keeps evolving every day, and it is crucial that, as a fraud investigator, I stay up to date regarding recent developments. In the same breath, pursuing advanced education will bolster my competitive advantage as I compete with others in the field. Also, short-term courses like a certificate in leadership will prepare me for future organizational leadership.
References
Meservy, R. D., Romney, M., & Zimbelman, M. F. (2006). Certified fraud examiners: A survey of their training, experience, and curriculum recommendations. Journal of Forensic Accounting, 7(1), 163–184.
Weiss, D. M. (2015). Check Fraud in the Digital Age: Factors of Efficiency and Investigative Procedures. Northcentral University.
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Question 
Research the topic and prepare a response appropriate for inclusion in a career portfolio.
In criminal justice, I would pursue a career in fraud investigations to expand my career trajectory. Give at least one specific example.
Advancing in Criminal Justice – A Path Toward Fraud Investigations and Career Growth
What kinds of opportunities are you looking for as a professional in criminal justice now that you have reached the end of your program? How can I grow in this role in the next 5 years?