INDUSTRY INSIGHT
GOVERNMENT, LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Protective service occupations focus on providing communities and individuals with necessary protection and regulations to ensure our communities are safe and secure. These occupations typically provide services such as protecting the public against danger, including hands-on careers that respond to emergencies and enforce regulations as well as roles that support the complex systems that support public safety.
Academic Pursuits
A career in government, law or public safety is rewarding and meaningful. Students who want to work in these areas learn about the important historical context while evaluating how they personally can make a meaningful impact. UW Oshkosh students benefit from hands-on opportunities lead by professors who meld their real-world experience into classroom lessons every day.
This sector needs passionate and community-minded professionals who are dedicated to lifelong learning. UW Oshkosh alumni who currently work in the government, law and public safety sectors have studied:
- Accounting
- Chemistry
- Communication
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Economics
- Engineering Technology
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Studies
- Fire and Emergency Response Management
- Geology
- Human Resource Management
- Human Services
- Information Systems
- Interactive Web Management
- Management
- Political Science
- Pre-Law
- Public Relations
- Social Work
Average Starting Salary
The average salary for UW Oshkosh graduates who are working in this field within the first year of graduating
UW Oshkosh also offers minors and certificates that can accompany any major and provide you with a specific additional focus.
- Applied Ethics
- Behavioral Science
- Civic Engagement
- Cybersecurity
- Environmental Monitoring
- Geographic Information Systems
- Health, Humanities and Science
- Law and Policy
- Linguistics
- Military Science
- Operations Research
- Organizational Communication
- Renewable Energy
- Risk Management and Actuarial Science
- Social Justice
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Surface Water Studies
- Sustainability Management
Job Outlook
The employment outlook in the government, law and public safety sectors depends on the specific role, organization, and location. From 2020–2030, the following occupations are projected to grow:
%
Police and Detectives
%
Firefighters
%
Social and Human Service Assistants
TOP CAREER AREAS
PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Dispatch or 911 operator, fire inspector, firefighter, park ranger, police officer, police or private detective, sheriff
SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICES
Case manager, social worker, violence prevention advocate
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT
Communications specialist, financial examiner, human resource specialist, marketing specialist
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Cybersecurity specialist, network and database administrator, web and application developer
IN-DEMAND SKILLS
- Integrity
- Compassion
- Composure
- Teamwork
- Critical-thinking
- Courage
- Communication
- Patience
- Perserverance
Work in the Art and Multimedia Fields
Our alumni who work in this field have worked with the following organizations.
Salary and employment statistics for UW Oshkosh graduates are self reported and given based on their experiences and opportunities they secured within 9 months after graduation. Data is pulled from the UW Oshkosh First Destination Survey and is an average of reported data from the previous three years.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH
Career & Professional Development
(920) 424-2181
career@uwosh.eduStudent Success Center, Suite 125
750 Elmwood Ave.
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Oshkosh Campus
- M–F: 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Fox Cities Campus Advisor Hours
- Fox Cities Hours: Mondays (days will vary) in the Solution Center
- Schedule appointments via Handshake
- Services only offered when classes are in session during the fall and spring terms.