Keep in mind that becoming a parole officer first involves a thorough background check, (including for misdemeanors) and even a credit check. To become a competitive applicant keep a clean record, including no driving offenses, and avoid credit issues.
Visit the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) Web site, https://www.appa-net.org, to learn more about the issues important to this field.
Consider volunteering for an organization that helps people in need. This will help familiarize you with social service work and be helpful when applying for college.
Read one of the APPA's publications about being a parole officer. These books are for sale on its Web site, https://www.appa-net.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?WebCode=COEPubList&pager=10.
- Airport Security Personnel
- Bail Bondsmen
- Bailiffs
- Bodyguards
- Border Patrol Agents
- Bounty Hunters
- Corrections Officers
- Court Interpreters and Translators
- Court Reporters
- Crime Analysts
- Criminal Lawyers
- Customs Officials
- Deputy U.S. Marshals
- Detectives
- Directors of Security
- Emergency Management Directors
- Emergency Medical Technicians
- Emergency Services Dispatchers
- FBI Agents
- Fire Inspectors
- Fire Investigators
- Fire Protection Engineers
- Fire Safety Directors
- Fire Safety Technicians
- Firefighters
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Forensic Experts
- Forensic Meteorologists
- Forest Fire Prevention Specialists
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators, and Analysts
- Genetic Genealogists
- Intelligence Officers
- Judges
- Lawyers
- Legal Nurse Consultants
- Legal Secretaries
- Paralegals
- Park Rangers
- Police Officers
- Polygraph Examiners
- Process Servers
- Secret Service Special Agents
- Security Consultants
- Security Guards
- Wildland Firefighters