post 16

Britton's study discusses the different ways to becoming a correctional officer. Job pathways are determined by occupational socialization and gendered processes that are shaped by cultural depictions, child's play, and adult role models.
Most correctional officers do not seek out this career, they report "drifting into the work". Many report a better fit in a policing career, usually having experience in the military, or earlier in life wanting to be police officers. There were 2 women who reported these feelings, and the military experience was a male. Which is an unusual childhood ambition for women.
When getting a job as a correctional officer social networks play a large role in landing a job, where criminal justice/criminology majors in college are in the highest demand for these employers. Also having military experience (which is a male dominated field) and having family in the same line of work are great networks to getting correctional officer position.
There are a lot of incentives for people to become correctional officers, great benefit packages and pay grade scales that range from 20-40 thousand dollars a year. With a lot of officers not having a formal education after high school, some may find this as a benefit because college education is not a must. There is also a lot of room for advancement.