Intelligence Analyst Degree: How Can Earning a Bachelor's Help Prepare Me?
Are you always fascinated by how the FBI seems to solve crimes? Have you always wanted to fight crime but know you're not cut out for the front lines? If yes, then you'll be glad to know that a degree in crime and intelligence analysis could help you blend your fascination with crime with modern technology. Let's take a look at what this degree program is all about and how you can become a part of this burgeoning field.
What is Crime and Intelligence Analysis?
According to the IACA, crime and intelligence analysis is a dynamic profession within the field of criminal justice. It's also a set of crime-solving techniques. It focuses on the use of research, analytical, and statistical tools to detect and prevent crime.
Duties of a Crime and Intelligence Analyst
A crime analyst is expected to collect, compile, and interpret data from crime reports to determine crime trends in a particular area. This data can be either classified or non-classified. Therefore the analyst uses a variety of technological resources such as geo-technology, forensics, and crime mapping to derive meaningful information from this data. Detectives, investigators and other policy making and law enforcement agents then use this information to:
- Solve crimes
- Find, apprehend, prosecute and convict offenders
- Develop effective strategies to prevent similar crimes from happening again
- Optimize internal operations
What Opportunities Might I Have After Pursuing a Crime and Intelligence Analysis Major?
The increasing focus on criminal and terrorist activities has seen the demand for crime and intelligence analysts grow tenfold. Therefore, when you pursue a crime and intelligence analysis major, you could unlock a world of countless opportunities as your skills are applicable in different areas of law enforcement. Upon graduation, you could be eligible for work in many fields such as:
- Federal agent
- Intelligence analyst
- Risk Analyst
- Fraud data analyst
- Asset protection specialist
- Anti-money laundering functional compliance specialist
- Counterintelligence analyst
Crime and Intelligence Analyst Interpersonal Skills
Besides education and experience, having the following skills should help you build a stable as a crime and intelligence analyst.
- Excellent Communication Skills: Part of your job as a crime and intelligence analysts involves explaining what classified and unclassified crime data means to your colleagues and sometimes the general public.
- Great Team Work Abilities: Solving crimes effectively means working hand in hand with other law enforcement agents.
- Time Management Skills: Crime reports are generated every day, and you must analyze them to create intelligence. It's essential to have excellent time management skills so you can strike a balance between your personal life and work.
How a Bachelor's Degree Prepare Graduates for the Real World
Through internships, externships, and volunteer work programs, students typically get a taste of how the real world works. This goes a long way in preparing them for future experiences. They graduate knowing what their employers expect of them and things they can do to increase their productivity. Also, such programs allow them to create meaningful connections and expand their network.
Benefits of Formal Crime and Intelligence Analysis Training
Helps You Qualify for the Job Market: As we advance into the digital era, criminals are continuously coming up with new ways to wreak havoc on innocent citizens, without leaving a trace. This leaves law enforcement agencies with no option but to go high tech as well, and use more modern tactics to find and apprehend criminals.
In other words, they now work hand in hand with professionals who have the skills to analyze and derive meaningful intelligence from crime trends and patterns.
Equips You with Work Experience: While your bachelor's degree is the first thing that employers will consider before hiring you, a majority of them also consider your work experience. Fortunately, through the internship and volunteer programs mentioned earlier, you also get this much-needed experience.
This gives you an upper hand once you start looking for work as employers prioritize you over other candidates. Without formal training, it would be impossible to get such internships as you're not affiliated with any academic institution.
Get Started On Your Path to Studying Crime and Intelligence Analysis Today!
Are you interested in crime solving with high tech tools? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Crime and Intelligence Analysis, consider ECPI University for the education you want. For more information, connect with a helpful admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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