Just graduated from college, academies don't start until '10, what to do?

[redwing634]

I just graduated from college with a BS in Engineering, but want to go into law enforcement. I have started the application processes for both Houston PD and Fort Bend County Sheriffs (and might try Sugar Land too), but the positions aren't available until March and February, respectively.

What would you guys recommend doing in the meantime? I don't want to join an engineering company because by the time I'm done training there, it'd almost be time to start up the police academy. Just work at like best buy or something?

[PapaBear]

Unless you are already on a list and awaiting appointment to an academy, you should start testing and preparing your paperwork just in case you are successful in the testing process. You should also be running, working out, creating a resume, working and being a productive being to the needs of society. It really is not an automatic appointment to any academy just because you finished college.

[redwing634]

Unless you are already on a list and awaiting appointment to an academy, you should start testing and preparing your paperwork just in case you are successful in the testing process. You should also be running, working out, creating a resume, working and being a productive being to the needs of society. It really is not an automatic appointment to any academy just because you finished college.

yeah understood. I'll be going through the testing processes (already done interview/physical for Houston PD, taking reading/running test for Fort Bend Sheriffs in a week). Just trying to determine whether I should move down to the Houston area (currently in NY) and get a simple job like best buy or something, or if I should consider some type of license training, etc.

[retdetsgt]

How are you feeding yourself now?

[redwing634]

How are you feeding yourself now?

I did engineering co-op jobs (full time working for engineer) while I was getting my degree so I'm fine right now financially.

I'm tempted to move to the Houston area so I'm not viewed as an "out of state applicant", but then I'd need to determine what to do; either find some type of beneficial training (licenses of some sort), or get a job for a company that wouldnt mind me leaving in early '10.

[CityOfChicago]

Get a job. I'd get one in your field of study - even if it's a rinky-dink engineer's job for construction or something. From the time I took the test for CPD until the academy was started was almost three years. And you dont want to go to an interview with a BS in Engineering and 18 months work at Best Buy. My first thought of you as a candidate would be "Why did this guy go to college to get a job selling DVD's? Oh, I see - he's either not at all committed to his decisions or college was a diversion, something to do instead of getting a job".

[Roger Dat]

Another goal is while your waiting DONT do anything stuid and STAY out of trouble.

[CityOfChicago]

DONT do anything stuid.

Dont do anything stupid, either.

[retdetsgt]

Get a job. I'd get one in your field of study - even if it's a rinky-dink engineer's job for construction or something.

I agree. Always consider the possibility that you might not get the LE job. I don't mean to sound pessimistic, you may well be hired. But not everyone is and it's for a variety of reasons.

Putting all your eggs in one basket isn't a good idea. When I got hired, there was an OSP trooper taking the test along with me. I ran into him later and he told me they cardiologist found a minor heart defect that no doctor had discovered before and he was DQ'd even though he was already a state trooper.

[DeltaV]

I would join an engineering firm. Just because there's an academy in 2010 doesn't necessarily mean you'll automatically be selected for a class in 2010. The hiring process can take up to a year in some places, and if you recently started the process for both of those agencies then you may have trouble getting selected for a February or March academy unless they really want you and move quickly.

I also don't know what your career aspirations are in LE, but having your PE definitely would be beneficial if you ever wanted to apply for a federal criminal investigator position or get into the field of crash reconstruction. Plus I'm sure a job at an engineering firm would pay a lot more than working at Best Buy and would look better on your resume.

[redwing634]

Thanks guys, the responses are helpful. The only problem is I have been applying to a lot of engineering jobs and the job market just isn't there for entry level engineers right now. That's always been the top choice for me, in terms of things to do in the meantime, but so far have had 0 luck =/