Considering a Career in Law Enforcement - Long(ish) Post

[ConfusedStudent]

Hello everyone,

Let me start off by sharing a little bit about myself. I am 18 years old, and currently attending a 4 year college on my way to getting a bachelor's degree in computer science. For many years, I have pretty much been set on working with computers for a living, but lately I have been having my doubts - the computer industry is really just not heading the way I would like it to (an abundance of outsourcing, influx of CS students graduating in the next few years, etc.) Other than Computer Science, the only thing that has interested me much has been law enforcement. Currently, I am contemplating switching my major to Criminal Justince and pursuing a career in law enforcement, and eventually going for my masters degree in criminal justice as well. (As a side note, if anyone is wondering about my physical conditions - I'm not built like the "typical computer science student". I'm a very active college athlete, and I would consider myself to be more than qualified for a physical career such as law enforcement.)

I have a few questions that I am hoping some people with actual experience in law enforcement could help me with.

1. Would it be worth it to switch my major to criminal justice, assuming I want to become a police officer? I have heard from some people that a CJ major is not required for employment, but rather that any degree would generally help. In this case, I believe it would make more sense to continue on my CS path, and then have a fallback option incase things don't pull through as I hope. Would I, with a BS in CS, have a better opportunity of becoming a police officer than someone with, for example, an associates degree in CJ? Just for reference, I have perfectly clean criminal and driving records, and I do not drink, smoke, or use any illegal substances at all.

2. What kind of salary can I expect starting out as a rookie officer? I am not going to allow salary to weigh in my decision very much, but it is still something that I need to consider when making possible long-term career choices.

3. How much room is there for advancement? If I were to obtain my masters degree in CJ, would that open up many more opportunities than it would if I just had a few more years experience? I know that in the computer science industry, experience counts for just as much, if not more, than higher education.

I'm sorry for all of the questions, and the long post, but I'm just at a very important point in my life where I need to make a decision that will significantly impact the rest of my life. Thanks in advance for any help I receive, and if anyone has anything else to add that I did not ask about, I'd love to hear that too.

[Joeyd6]

1) Continue your CS path. Officers with CS background are limited and the need is high. There are many units: Cybercrime, Surveilance, etc... Any knowledge of computers would greatly help...especially in teh forensic end. Plus, most cops work a 2nd job...that is something that will allow you to dthat and maybe even from home. And rememebr you may not be a cop forever and CS is a great fallback. Get your degree before you try to apply. That degree is worth a lot and will help you financially in many ways. That is yoru foundation.

2) Salary depends wher eyou want to live and work. See www.policepay.net for some ideas.

3) Advancement depends on department size. Bigger = more chance. You have a better chance of being a Sgt. in the NYPD than a Buffalo police officer. And a advance degree always helps. A masters is a ticket to federal employment. Once you have yoru degree, a 4-year is good for most entry level departments.

Good Luck!