If dream of LEO fails, what to do?

[Wanabe]

I’m starting to worry I will never get hired by a LE agency. I am going to have bachelors in CJ this year. What are some other things I can do in this field that is not necessarily so competitive? I will continue to pursue this LEO dream, but facts are it’s not always meant to be. I am nowhere near giving up yet but I can’t sit around waiting.

[Legoate]

Well, I guess you'd have to figure out why you don't think you'll be hired and fix those things. If there are things in your past that will not allow you to pass a background investigation, there's nothing to fix and you might as well just find another job.

One of the main problems with getting a CJ degree is that it is pretty useless. I think the majority of cops on this forum would tell you to get just about any other degree. I have a non-CJ BS diploma, and have never regretted it. People with CJ degrees did not have any apparent edge over me in the academy, and from what I've seen, don't make better cops.

Just step back and honestly figure out if you can possibly get hired as an LEO. If the answer is no, it's better to cut your losses now and look for a different career.

[marinepilot]

Well, I guess you'd have to figure out why you don't think you'll be hired and fix those things. If there are things in your past that will not allow you to pass a background investigation, there's nothing to fix and you might as well just find another job.

Pretty much what Legoate said, although I would like to caveat that with if it's a problem in your background, then time may become your best friend. Many problems in backgrounds can grow less of a problem with time, although there are also many that can not be overlooked, ever.

Hopefully for you, if background is your main problem, you've got some of the first type and none of the second.

Other than that, keep on trying. That's what I did and I finally ended up landing a job with an agency. I still hope to move to a bigger agency for more responsibility (and more $$) but I'm gaining experience every single day doing a job that I love.

[mcsap]

I’m starting to worry I will never get hired by a LE agency. I am going to have bachelors in CJ this year. What are some other things I can do in this field that is not necessarily so competitive? I will continue to pursue this LEO dream, but facts are it’s not always meant to be. I am nowhere near giving up yet but I can’t sit around waiting.

How long have you been trying to get hired and with how many different PD 's ?

[Wanabe]

Well I am currently working on my second PD on my second year, I know it can take time. If you read my other post about the pre-interview you will see I hit a HUGE road bump. So I guess I am starting to get worried I will never fit in. If this doesn’t work out for me I plan on trying NYPD. My worry is if they DQ me on the physc because of the issues I am facing currently am I DQ'd for life?

[Whitebear]

no.. it depends what is the problem, since when you havea problem, the steps youve taken to solve the problem, since when the probleme is solve....

its all case by case except if you ahve schyzophrenia :D