Career fit quiz

Is Correctional Officer the Right Career for You?

A quick, free 8-question quiz to see how well the correctional officer career fits your personality, preferences and goals.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How this quiz works

Rate how much you agree with each statement. The quiz compares your answers with the realities of the correctional officer job and gives you an honest fit score in under two minutes. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Statement 1 of 8I can stay calm in tense situations
Statement 2 of 8I can be firm and fair
Statement 3 of 8I want public service work with good benefits
Statement 4 of 8I can handle shift work
Statement 5 of 8I’m observant
Statement 6 of 8I want a law enforcement career without a degree
Statement 7 of 8I’m willing to spend about 2–4 months (academy) training for this career
Statement 8 of 8A typical salary around $58,940 a year would meet my needs

What this career really involves

Correctional officers and jailers supervise people who have been arrested or sentenced, enforce rules, prevent violence and escapes, and keep jails and prisons safe and secure.

  • Supervise people in housing units
  • Conduct counts and security checks
  • Search people, cells and areas for contraband
  • Escort people within and outside the facility
  • Respond to fights, disturbances and emergencies

Read a full day in the life or see correctional officer salary data.

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