I am not yet a convicted felon but I am on pre trial probation and I am looking to start a lucrative career that will give me a chance despite my past. Any advice on which career path I can start with?

4 Comments

1. AnonymousDecember 17,2025 at 11:34PM UTC

   That really depends on the type of charges you’re dealing with.

2. AnonymousDecember 18,2025 at 10:55AM UTC

   That likely eliminates education, military, police work and health care, but for other industries, it may not be a barrier. There is a company called Dave's Bread that was actually founded by a convicted felon and specifically hires people who were formerly incarcerated. I suggest contacting someone at that company for advice (and an application if their location happens to be near you.) But a lot depends on whether this was a violent felony or something nonviolent. It also wouldn't hurt to ask your lawyer what they recommend based on the charges against you, and if it is something that could be reduced to a misdemeanor or ultimately expunged, that would be worth looking into as well. Good luck to you.

3. AnonymousDecember 18,2025 at 11:57AM UTC

   You will be serving time so I'm not sure you can work during your prison stay.

4. Barb HansenDecember 18,2025 at 1:06PM UTC

   Many cities have post-incarceration programs to help those transitioning from the penal system to employment. Depending on what's next for you, you may want to reach out to one of those programs and review the job titles and companies they have in their program to give you an idea of what's available. Another option would be to do a web search for job roles that don't require a background check. Depending on your current skill set, and your desire to learn new skills, you may be able to "build your own career" - working remotely as a tech contractor for businesses that don't do a background check (which would elimiate most large companies and government identities), but there many smaller companies that don't do background checks for remote contractors. Side note: If part of your sentence includes probation, your charge and/or your probation officer may require you to disclose your crime to everyone you work for, so you should ask your probation officer if you have to disclose. Why do I know this? An extended familiy member who was mentally challenged (and didn't get any support when he was growing up) was convicted of a serious crime and I become the equivalent of his guardian ad litem (but for an adult) when he was released on probation. I attended all of his probation meetings to help him.