Ask the Recruiter

Yes, and I think gaining work experience while you pursue your bachelor's degree is a very good approach.

My research yielded a variety of jobs in the criminal justice field that would require an associate's degree or less. Besides obvious possibilities such as security work or administrative jobs in corrections or law enforcement, there were some openings I wouldn't have thought of, such as clerking in a state court system or working in code enforcement (ensuring that individuals, organizations, businesses and buildings comply with all legal, safety and zoning requirements). Code enforcement strikes me as an excellent opportunity to gain some regulatory knowledge while also getting experience dealing with the public. And a court job would expose you to a useful cross-section of the criminal justice system.

Rather than targeting specific types of jobs, you might want to start by looking for specific employers, depending on which aspect of the criminal justice field interests you. You might have a preference for the legal side of things, regulatory oversight, legislative processes, corrections, law enforcement, or social work. See what types of openings those employers have for someone with an associate's degree. In the process, you may not only gain a job and some relevant experience, but also some insight into long-term careers and valuable contacts.