Need Job Advice please

[snappertrapper]

A little background; I'm in my senior year of college and my goal for the near future is to become a LEO. Since summer I've been working hospital security. The boss and supervisors are very good to work for and the schedule's very flexible. However, in the last several weeks I've been interviewing for a CO job at a large county prison and am in the final stages and I don't know whether I should take it if it happens to be offered to me. The benefits are better with the CO job and the pay's slightly higher but it's about a 35 minute drive whereas the hospital is only 5. I realize that PDs like to see a stable work history but I would also think that corrections would look better than hospital security. I am open to any and all opinions about whether or not I should take the CO job if offered. Thank you.

[icu650]

I would also think that corrections would look better than hospital security.

Always set your goals higher- go for the CO

[Kimble]

Always set your goals higher- go for the CO

Plus corrections will provide some more relevant skills/experience (ex: dealing with criminals, officer safety, making cases based on crimes committed within the prison, etc). Corrections in many states also work towards the same retirement as police agencies (excluding agencies with their own private pensions, of course).

Based on your 2 options, if LE is your career goal CO work would be of more value than hospital security.

[mcsap]

Plus corrections will provide some more relevant skills/experience (ex: dealing with criminals, officer safety, making cases based on crimes committed within the prison, etc). Corrections in many states also work towards the same retirement as police agencies (excluding agencies with their own private pensions, of course).

Based on your 2 options, if LE is your career goal CO work would be of more value than hospital security.

100% on the money. Corrections will give you invaluable insight and experience in dealing with bad people.

[snappertrapper]

Appreciate all the advice, thank ya kindly!

Do you think that PDs would look down on the fact that I left the hospital for the CO job after only 6 months though?

[icu650]

Of course not, you are making a positive step in the advancement of your career. Once you become LEO your advancement then,will come from within.

[Kimble]

Do you think that PDs would look down on the fact that I left the hospital for the CO job after only 6 months though?

Absolutely not, I think your making your hospital security job into more than it is. If an applicant applied to my PD and I knew he turned down a CO job to stay with a security job (knowing that he wanted to eventually become a cop) I'd wonder what he was thinking.

[CPL1897]

I myself enjoy investigating crimes, arresting bad guys and the "freedom" of pretty much doing what I WANT TO DO (as long as work related) so I have never been interested in corrections, but I have known
many friends who I went through the academy with in the 90's who wanted LE but could only get hired in CO work out of the academy and always said it was temporary, but most of them stayed in CO work and now have good pay/retirment alot have rank etc and say now "They live it and would have it no other way"...,Just something to think about, as everyone said it will deifinately help you, and you may actually find it to be "Your calling"....