Any Advice?

[doubleA]

Hi everybody this is my first post...I just wanted to see if anybody out there has career advice for me. Here is my current situation:

I'm 22 years old, and a senior at Sacramento State University (Criminal Justice Major). I will be graduating in December 09. I am also an intern at the CA Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control, working with state Investigators (yes, they are sworn). I also did an internship in highschool with the CHP. Other work experience includes basketball referee, security guard, and restaurant waiter. I don't have any arrests or anything in my background. Only one ticket for incomplete stop at stop sign a 5 years ago.

What advice or wisdom does anyone have for someone like me trying to enter the law enforcment field. I am open to state (preferably ABC), feds, or local pd or sd. I'm from northern CA and live there currently. What other things should I be doing to better prepare myself? And does anyone know what LE orgs. are ACTUALLY hiring (besides feds)?

Any advice would be much appreciated and apologies for the wordy post.

[SgtCHP]

The type of agency you go for is totally dependant upon what you want to do with your own life in the law enforcement field. You are your own best judge. None of us knows you or your background. Complete your education and utilize your skills in the manner best suited to you - the individual.

Good luck in all of your endeavors. The field is wide open.

[IronBruin]

Change your major.

[pappabacon]

Change your major.

LOL, I have heard that a lot.

[Copp'rPenny]

Do you speak Spanish? If not, learn. It can only help.

[weezy34]

doublea, I am in the same boat you are in. I graduated from Sacramento State with a BS in Criminal Justice a year ago. I also worked as a student assistant with the CA Department of Justice at their training center in Rancho Cordova. That is where the DOJ Special Agent Academy is held. I have applied for Sac PD, Sac Sheriff, Stockton PD, Roseville PD, Rocklin PD, and Sac County Probation. All pretty much have hiring freezes at the moment. The only agency that is hiring is CHP, but at least their academy is here in West Sac.

My advice would be to pursue another career for now. You can always work for the state (boring desk jobs and furloughs), but your degree will really help you there. I work for the state and I have already been promoted twice in the last year alone. .....In about a year or two, these agencies will start to have massive hirings. I hear that Sac PD is currently about 100 officers short right now. Eventually they will have to hire. When they do start hiring, you want to make yourself as attractive as possible.

[avalon42]

Hi everybody this is my first post...I just wanted to see if anybody out there has career advice for me. Here is my current situation:

I'm 22 years old, and a senior at Sacramento State University (Criminal Justice Major). I will be graduating in December 09. I am also an intern at the CA Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control, working with state Investigators (yes, they are sworn). I also did an internship in highschool with the CHP. Other work experience includes basketball referee, security guard, and restaurant waiter. I don't have any arrests or anything in my background. Only one ticket for incomplete stop at stop sign a 5 years ago.

What advice or wisdom does anyone have for someone like me trying to enter the law enforcment field. I am open to state (preferably ABC), feds, or local pd or sd. I'm from northern CA and live there currently. What other things should I be doing to better prepare myself? And does anyone know what LE orgs. are ACTUALLY hiring (besides feds)?

Any advice would be much appreciated and apologies for the wordy post.

Hey bud, maybe I am something so let me clarify:

You've already interned with ABC, but you want to get hired there as an investigator. Shouldn't you already know what's required for the position and who to talk to over there for advice?

If you're going to a local PD or county sheriff, best thing is for ride-alongs. Most feds except Customs and BP will not have any use for your CJ degree (don't worry, I'm in the same boat).

[doubleA]

doublea, I am in the same boat you are in. I graduated from Sacramento State with a BS in Criminal Justice a year ago. I also worked as a student assistant with the CA Department of Justice at their training center in Rancho Cordova. That is where the DOJ Special Agent Academy is held. I have applied for Sac PD, Sac Sheriff, Stockton PD, Roseville PD, Rocklin PD, and Sac County Probation. All pretty much have hiring freezes at the moment. The only agency that is hiring is CHP, but at least their academy is here in West Sac.

My advice would be to pursue another career for now. You can always work for the state (boring desk jobs and furloughs), but your degree will really help you there. I work for the state and I have already been promoted twice in the last year alone. .....In about a year or two, these agencies will start to have massive hirings. I hear that Sac PD is currently about 100 officers short right now. Eventually they will have to hire. When they do start hiring, you want to make yourself as attractive as possible.
weezy...thank you for the advice. I have applications out to most places you mentioned...and waiting to apply with ABC. It seems like a safe bet to work an office job with the state untill agencies start actively hiring. If you could send me a private message with any info or tips on which state departments and exams to apply for it would be much appreciated
thanks again and feel free to let me know how your career pursuits turn out

[doubleA]

Hey bud, maybe I am something so let me clarify:

You've already interned with ABC, but you want to get hired there as an investigator. Shouldn't you already know what's required for the position and who to talk to over there for advice?

If you're going to a local PD or county sheriff, best thing is for ride-alongs. Most feds except Customs and BP will not have any use for your CJ degree (don't worry, I'm in the same boat).
Sorry if I was unlear...I have only been working for ABC for a few weeks, and will continue throughout the rest of the year as an intern. I do know what is required and will be applying but I dont want to put all my eggs in that basket, especially with the infamous instability of the state. And yes you are very right about the feds...I would need much more experience and/or an advanced degree to be a competitive candidate with most feds

[doubleA]

The type of agency you go for is totally dependant upon what you want to do with your own life in the law enforcement field. You are your own best judge. None of us knows you or your background. Complete your education and utilize your skills in the manner best suited to you - the individual.

Good luck in all of your endeavors. The field is wide open.
Thank you I appreciate the encouragement

[LAC_LE]

Hey bud, maybe I am something so let me clarify

I hope you're something--I wasn't aware nothing could post on O.com ;)

[IronBruin]

LOL, I have heard that a lot.

Because it's good advice;)

[doubleA]

oh ok sure thing im turning on my time machine right now

[IronBruin]

oh ok sure thing im turning on my time machine right now

Your sarcasm will suit you well:rolleyes:

[avalon42]

I hope you're something--I wasn't aware nothing could post on O.com ;)

LMAO...insert your favorite "colorful metaphor" where I was missing the word: "missing". :D

oh ok sure thing im turning on my time machine right now

If it works, I'd like to hitch a ride so I can kick my younger self in the butt for making things harder on myself now. Wonder what the psych would say about that one...

[SDPDApplicant]

Wish I had a damn time machine.

[pappabacon]

Because it's good advice;)

That's why I am finishing my degree in History!!! Actually, it's so I can keep telling my wife I am trying to be a teacher, while I apply for all of these LEO jobs. ;)

[IronBruin]

That's why I am finishing my degree in History!!! Actually, it's so I can keep telling my wife I am trying to be a teacher, while I apply for all of these LEO jobs. ;)

LE pays WAY better anyways;)

[pappabacon]

LE pays WAY better anyways;)

Yeah, people get all nervous when they see a teacher carrying. :mad: