career advice??

[StateChamp]

My situation is that I recently(month and a half) accepted an intern position with the fed. government as an IT Specialist. I took this position for more income for my growing family. My problem is that I am going CRAZY sitting in a desk for 9 hours a day, really boring. Does not fit my personality sitting in a desk. Now I see why everyone says the government is soooo laid back. I graduated with an IT degree and just barely recently been accepted back to school for my MBA this coming fall. Since I started college I have told myself I would become a Criminal Investigator(Special Agent). I have taken the FBI phase 1 test and failed this past December and started the USSS process but was disappointed again by not making the eye requirement. :mad:

1-So my question is if I do :p find a Fed LE agency and apply would my short time in this position affect me negatively?
2-has anyone else been in this situation of going CRAZY of a desk job? and what did you do?
3-What agencies would like my background?

I appreciate all of your feedback and welcome advice :)

one other thing Local LE doesn't seem appealing to me.

[SuperCFD]

My advice is finish your MBA and internship. I can imagine sitting at a desk would drive you crazy. It would drive me crazy. That's why I went into LE in the first place. But since you have no LE experience, finishing those two things will make your resume more attractive. Also, with that MBA, that will make you eligible for GS 9 announcements that many others will not qualify for. Many OIG 1811 positions open at 9 or above, so it can only help you.

Keeping the things above in mind, so many of the fed LE gigs take years to land. So, figure out what appeals to you and apply. The worst that can happen is they say no. You could always try lasik or something to help the vision requirements.

As for which agency would your background appeal to? Take your pick. IT is a big thing now. That's too broad of a question. Every agency needs IT types.

I say hang in there, get your MBA, finish your internship, and you will be a better candidate on paper. That's just my two cents.

[StateChamp]

Thanks I appreciate your reply. :)

I have one other question I still do want to apply for 1811 slots now. How do I obtain a SF-50? Will my agency even have it or do I fill it out myself? or either way?

[SuperCFD]

You can obtain the SF-50 from the USAJOBS website under "forms", then "standard forms". I couldn't tell you anything about it though. I've never filled one out as I've never been a fed employee.

[StateChamp]

Thanks I appreciate your reply. :)

I have one other question I still do want to apply for 1811 slots now. How do I obtain a SF-50? Will my agency even have it or do I fill it out myself? or either way?

Once again thanks for your reply.

Has anyone had any experience filling these out? I found where to obtain the forms themselves but was wondering if I could do it or do I need HR to fill it out for me?

Thanks,

[StateChamp]

Once again thanks for your reply.

Has anyone had any experience filling these out? I found where to obtain the forms themselves but was wondering if I could do it or do I need HR to fill it out for me?

Thanks,

Anyone??????

[SuperCFD]

Since no one has responded, I'll give it a try. I think you fill one out when you submit other pre-employment paperwork, such as OF612s or SF86s. Best advice is to check the job announcements themselves and see what they say. They will usually tell you what forms you need to fill out and when. For example, EPA only required a resume and transcript to apply. I'm sure the SF86 and other paperwork will be asked for at a later time. So, I wouldn't worry about filling out any paperwork unless it is specifically requested in an announcement at a given time. Again though, having never been a fed employee, I've never filled one of those out. So, I could be wrong on this.

[nolo]

You get an SF-50 when you separate from federal service-- the other forms are available on OPM's website or just google "federal employment forms" online...
As for surviving a desk job-- I'd recommend trying to work out in the morning, so you are a little less restless... and drink TONS of water (between refilling your bottle and hitting the bathroom, you HAVE to take lots of breaks)

Good luck

[StateChamp]

Thanks guys for your reply's. :)

One of the announcements I want to apply for requires a SF-50 that's why I was wondering. I will fill it out to the best of my ability. One other thing you're exactly right on the desk job thing about taking A TON of breaks I seriously go to the bathroom like 20-30 times a day to get my blood moving. Once again thanks.

[StateChamp]

Oh one other thing does 1810 gigs help on getting a 1811 gig??

And what is exactly the difference between the two??

[SuperCFD]

I think anything in the 1800 series could help you, but then again so could whatever series IT is in. Remember, all agencis need IT people these days. So, being an 1801, 1802, 1810, ect., could help you, but so could your IT background.

You might check USAJOBS for the descriptions of each job code. Several years ago I was looking at an 1810 position (can't remember what position exactly), but I wasn't sure how close/different it was to 1811. I think I found the answer there. If I remember correctly, 1810 is a "general investigator" position. In other words, not necessarily law enforcement, but involves some investigation. Whereas 1811 is specifically "criminal investigator". I could be wrong on this, but I'm pretty sure I found the answer on USAJOBS.

[SuperCFD]

OK, I looked it up and 1810 is listed in USAJOBS as a "general investigator". An example would be an investigator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It's not something where you would be arresting people, but you are still doing investigations. It's more of an administrative investigator position, if there is such a thing. Hope that helps.

[StateChamp]

Thanks CFD I appreciate you helping me answer my questions, I have A TON.

It was the equal employment agency I was looking at. You think it would be a "desk job" with this agency? Like above I am trying to get out of this type of work.

What type of LE do you do? You can PM me if you would prefer. Once again thanks.

[SuperCFD]

I'm just a local gumshoe with almost 10 years on now.