Opportunity for Comp Sci grad...

[shredluc]

Hi guys and gals,

I'm 23 and recently (year and a half ago) graduated from Loyola U in chicago with a degree in Computer Science. Recently I'm finding out that the prospects in the industry are not that great. Computers are my passion. The only other thing i wanted to in my life was law enforcement of some kind, be it a police officer, military career, or FBI. The thing is with the bleak prospects of the computer industry, i want to go the enforcement route or the FBI. (I don't want to join the military.) The thing is i would like to use the computer knowlede and passion that i have in the law enforcement industry. So my question to all of you is, What are the prospects for a person like me? what computer jobs are offered, that would allow me to use my existing knowlede, while maybe being an officer of special agent? I hate saying this (mostly because people assume if you have to say it, then your not), but i am very bright with computers (main admin and tech at a large ISP), and they have been my passion. How about a forensics position? Or maybe an internal communications support position? What are my options? Thanks for all your imput guys.

[ChesCopPodz]

With the increase in use of technology, police depts and other govt agencies all over the country are in need of people with computer skills to track down internet predators, and people who commit various types of fraud, among other things.

[shredluc]

thanks for the reply ChesCopPodz,

So what you are telling me, is that chances are pretty good that someone somewhere will need my skills. Now i have another question: what are the positions i would be looking for that would allow me to use my skills? Maybe somebody has some kind of resources that i could be able to browse through to see what is offered? What would be a logical course of progression for somebody like me?

Thanks for the responses guys.

[ChesCopPodz]

In my dept, these things are handled by detectives. It's not a civilian position, and detectives have to have been street officers for a few years first. There really isn't any published information from my dept concerning these units, but I know the guys who do these kinds of investigations. If we get search warrants for people in possession of child porn or things of that nature, we take it to these guys who get into the computer and bring them out. They also track online transactions, and go digging into computer activities of people who use the computer to commit their crimes.

[COBRA90GT]

Yeah, forensics would be a great niche considering your computer background/college education. Lots of computer crime out there to solve!
Go Federal, I hear they (in addition to local/state agencies) are looking for people with your skills. FBI, etc...use Google & visit the various "employment/recruiting" homepages of such agencies in order to learn a little more about what they require. Plan on attending job fairs as well. G'luck!

[wannabeenytrp]

The FBI will take new computer grads without any work experience. They waive work experience for the CS degree. As of a few months ago they were in dire need of linguists and CS/IT people. Also, you will find Phase 1 to be a breeze because of your Math background, or at least you should:D

All you will have to do is get selected for Phase II and pass, take the poly and PT test and pass, and then pass their BI... Well, the CS degree is a good start!

[shredluc]

thanks for the reply guys!!!

Actually iv'e managed to apply for the FBI already. :) I'm not sure how long their internal checkings take, but hopefully somebody will eventually contact me.

Also, wannabeenytrp, i'm not sure what PhaseI, phaseII and BI are, maybe sources of info or links? (maybe tell me what they are, if you have some spare time? :))

Anyway, the PT is no problem, and the poly should be nothing either.

They only thing i am worried about is that i was arrested once, (about 6 years ago, when i was 17) and accused of shop lifting, which ended up being dismissed. (they guy at the camera pointed out a different guy, but they got me, thought they could blame me for it cause i was a young kid - the guy walked out and got away. The officer didn't find anything on me, but took me in anyway, and when the court reviewed the tapes, it was shown that it was a mixup.) Any ideas how that could affect me eligibility?

Thanks for all they reply guys!!!

[SaNdMaN]

Don't worry about the shoplifting thing...

Another avenue to consider, if the FBI thing doesn't work out, is to still pusue a career in your field and then start up a side consulting business with smaller PD's...Our PD has to search out someone to handle computer crimes because no one in the department has the know-how...As word gets around, you'll get more and more gigs...Something to ponder...

[fanish]

The FBI and other agencies also have support positions that can pay just as well as being a special agent. I've seen computer scientist, IT, server maintenance and several other jobs posted there.


https://www.fbijobs.com/joblist.asp