Posted: 11/16/2011 3:59:44 AM EDT
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Ok so right now I work in a Federal Prison, I plan to go to the road possibly someday. I have also been going to school, I was going for Criminal Justice and quickly realized most agencies don't care what your degree is in and thats if they require a degree. Most Federal agencies seem they would rather you have a degree in something other than CJ. So I switched to Computer Science, honestly though I don't see myself getting out of LE. I was thinking of switching to Crime Scene Technology, still a field in LE and could possibly help me with promotion later on, say like a Detective spot or something.
Not sure what I should do at this point. If I switch at this point, I will loose out on a couple of credits which I can handle since all of my school is paid for right now. But If I go back to a CJ type of degree I get like 9 credit hours back from my prior experience/schooling and the previous courses I have taken in CJ will now count so I guess it evens itself out. |
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You plan on "going out on the road" as in with the Feds or a municipal department? Depending on what Federal agency you're thinking about, they don't care what kind of degree you have. Also, remember that whatever time you have in FERS will transfer if you stay Federal, not the case if you goto a municipal department. I'll write more later when I'm not on my phone.
-SS Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Quoted:
You plan on "going out on the road" as in with the Feds or a municipal department? Depending on what Federal agency you're thinking about, they don't care what kind of degree you have. Also, remember that whatever time you have in FERS will transfer if you stay Federal, not the case if you goto a municipal department. I'll write more later when I'm not on my phone. -SS Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile To be honest whatever opportunity comes my way first. If I were to land an 1811 series I would stay federal. However a local PD would be fine by me, that means I stay close to home (which wife doesn't really want to move but would if I land the job I want). |
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If you want to have a more specific plan, you need to set more specific goals. Figure out what job you'd like to get first, and then gear towards that. Otherwise, if you just have a general idea of a job in LE in general, a general CJ degree is as good as anything else for now IMO. |
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If you have ambitions to promote with the feds, you'll pretty much have to move for advancement, especially with the BOP. Otherwise, you're pretty much stuck in the bargaining unit for local advancement. If you're willing to move, your promotional opportunities are endless with the feds, especially with at least a Bachelor degree, regardless of your major.
Don't think short-term, look 20 years down the road and plan your career now, set your goals, and when you're retirement eligible, you and your wife can enjoy retiring at a relatively young age. I made seven moves across the country with the feds for promotions, and retired at 50, after 23 years, and never have to work again, but do part-time from home on a fed OPM-FIS contract to stay active. |