P039 - Exploring the impact of embedding career readiness skills and financial wellness into the criminal justice curriculum

• In Event: Poster Session & Ice Cream Social

Abstract

Criminal justice majors, like other college students, are susceptible to financial scams. Young adults comprise a growing number of financial scam victims. They are often targeted because of their limited financial literacy. Some of the most common financial scams prey on college student’s financial hardships and vulnerability. For example, college students often encounter offers from fake well-paying remote jobs, housing scams, fake scholarship opportunities, etc. Falling victim to a financial scam can have long term consequences, including impacting one’s career options.
It is critical that criminal justice majors have a better understanding about financial scams. In the US, financial wellness is often considered by employers. They consider it a marker for responsibility and maturity. Unlike other majors, criminal justice courses do not typically focus on building career readiness skills and financial literacy into the curriculum. This presentation will focus on the challenges and successes of building fundamental financial literacy skills into the criminal justice curriculum.

Authors

• Mercedes Valadez, California State University, Sacramento

• Mercedes Valadez, California State University, Sacramento