The corrections field employs approximately 600,000 individuals in 355 different job classifications. Career planning by correctional officers requires careful thought, and essential steps involved in deciding whether to choose the corrections field include knowing the field, defining personal and career values and what success means, setting realistic goals, and taking logical actions to achieve goals. Career decisions should be made on the basis of both commitment and income. Education and training serve to open doors, help in job interviews, and enable correctional officers to do their job better. Performance on the job is important, especially since the corrections field is more complicated now than in the past. Correctional officers should have a positive attitude, be proud of their career, seek career diversity, have an open mind and be willing to learn, find a mentor, meet educational requirements,connect with people, avoid labeling people, communicate honestly, be guided by solid basic values, and believe in their job.