career advice for a yong guy

[stevetweis]

Hi,

I'm 19 years old and recently switched my major from education to criminal justice. I always wanted to be a cop but I never thought I would be able to do it. I'm a young looking guy.. I could pass for 16 or 17. I'm about 5' 8", 150 lbs. I'm about an average strength.

I was looking into the NJ state police. I can definitely pass the physical test. The education requirements are military experience or a 4 year degree or a 2 year degree and 2 years work experience. At the end of the summer I will have my 2 year degree from my county college and I'll have 2 years work experience at a bottle factory doing quality assurance.

Is the 4 year degree better than the 2 year degree? Going to a 4 year school is almost completely out of the question for financial reasons.

The entrance age is 21 so I have a little while to go until I am 21. I live near Bridgeton, Vineland, and Millville which are 3 small cities that are experiencing a spike in crime. I am considering applying for a job at one of these cities this summer and then pursue the state police once I am of age.

I am a little nervous about a few things. I think the biggest thing would be fighting a perp. I've been in maybe 2 school yard brawls in middle school and that is it. I was considering joining some sort of martial arts club to become a better fighter.

I consider myself to be pretty intelligent. I am carrying a 3.6 GPA right now and I am pretty good at making split second decisions (not trying to toot my own horn).

So basically I am asking if you guys think the path I am taking is a good one. I would appreciate any advice or input a whole lot.


Also: my friend's uncle (Sargent Sparks; he was one of the guys who saved the men in the downed helicopter made famous in "Black Hawk Down") suggested that I shoot for the FBI. Any suggestions about that? Thanks a lot.

[Chit2001]

Steve,

Try copying and pasting your post over to the "Hiring & Recruitment" section of "ASK A COP."

You will most-likely get more and better responses there.

[1895FED]

Steve,
My advice to you is Spell Check!! :D

It sounds like you are career driven and are ahead of most 19 year olds in today's society! Seems to me like you are lacking self confidence! Self confidence come from within! So what that you only have been in a few school brawls. Once selected you are going to be given training to help you build self confidence.
Not sure what your take on the military is but that is great place to build self confidence. The military is also a great resume builder, plus they will help you pay for college for the remaining 2 years you are talking about. The sacrifice you know it and I know it will be the Middle East. You will be deployed there don't let some recruiter tell you any different. If you feel the need to build your self-confidence by joining a martial arts club than join it!

You already have broken down your goals into Short and Long term!
Your short is to get experience which it sounds to me like you are working on! I would try to get on with the local PD's even if it is Part-time!
Your long term would be to get on with the State Police!

You have to look at it as if you are the Chief of Police or the Superintendent of the State Police you have two applications on your desk. One guy with 3.6 GPA squeeky clean record. The other with a 2 year degree with a 2.0 GPA and 2 years work experience doing whatever with a few school yard Brawls. I think that the guy with the 3.6 GPA will be selected personally.
Something I consistently do is I try to make my resume look better by taking more classes, training, military, whatever you can do to make yourself look better than the other guy DO IT! Yes, I would throw and application in with the FBI. I am not sure of the age requirement probably 21?

Just my 2 cents KEEP IT!

[syphon157]

Get a 4 year degree. State school are very inexpensive and you can get loans. You will make much more money throughout your career. You are very young. In my honest opinion, relax for awhile and get some life experience (getting your Bachelor's is a good way to do that). Just keep making the right and smart decisions and then by the time your 21 you should be good to go. I was in your shoes, but I finished my 4 year degree. Believe me, time does not go by fast enough when you are young. But now im 23 and can honestly say time flew by. Don't worry, your time will come.

[Up_On_Base]

Get your BA/BS, it will open many doors in LE and if LE doesn't work out it's imperative in todays' society to make a good living. (in most cases)

If you really can't afford finishing try the military route, that kind of training and life experience is priceless. You need a 4 year degree for FBI SA, check out this website and watch the FBI video, it's about 25 minutes but it's awesome and give a behind the scenes look of training at the Q. Click "watch the show and enjoy"


http://www.weta.org/tv/fbiacademy.php

[JSL0506]

So on the other end of the age spectrum,has anyone in their 30's made a career change to law enforcement.

[dieselcop1042]

Stay in school and then join the military.

[SHU]

Stay in school kid. Whatever you do stay in school. It gives you options in life down the line. Getting my BA has probably been one of the few smart things I've done in my life. One day it will get me that S/A gig and free gas g-ride. One day....

[bkema2095]

Stay in school and get your 4 yr degree....

[SOUTHPPD]

Stay in School. You will need a BS/BA to get anywhere in the federal system. Unless you can move up in a military branch quick with good training under your belt. Soon it will be a Masters Degree.You need to apply to federal positions as soon as you get within 6 months of getting your four year degree. If you even think you want to be in the FBI, You need a second language or be a computer wiz. I know the Bureau process personally and can tell you how long and difficult a try it was with BS/13 Leo years on the street. They dropped me without a blink after a three year long dance with them. They do not like to hire street cops. They want a desk football jockey that says, "yes sir, what flavor moca latte you want." If you do not get a serious bite. Get a few years as a Patrol Officer and start burning paper back to I.C.E,CBP,DEA,or ATF. Try Secret Service before the Bureau!!!

[Tech-Anthony]

Could we get a mod or admin to change the title to young and not yong ... it is rather annoying reading it each time :cool:

[cwm093]

I need some advice. i am getting my BA in criminal justice and have been thinking what my next step should be. I have been appyling to various departments and have seen that people with military status have been called first. Do you think if i joined the navy as an MA that it would help my chance to get into LE in the future and any suggestions would help!

[syphon157]

I need some advice. i am getting my BA in criminal justice and have been thinking what my next step should be. I have been appyling to various departments and have seen that people with military status have been called first. Do you think if i joined the navy as an MA that it would help my chance to get into LE in the future and any suggestions would help!

If you have a BA in CJ, that is good. Joining the Navy might help, but again, it might not. It all depends on how much maturity and life experience you have. If you lack some, then joining the Navy is a great way to get some. Also, since you didn't post any details about yourself I can't really speculate.