Get my Masters or join local Police?

[masterrh]

Ok, so I am about to finish my BA in History and minor in Criminal Justice here at James Madison University in Virginia. I have started and am partially through an application with Fairfax County Police (although haven't gotten to the real stuff yet, polygraph, etc), and I've come to a big decision point that I was hoping maybe someone could offer some suggestions.

Now I know this may not be a popular goal in the police area... but I would really like to work at a Federal level, either FBI, NSA, CIA, DEA, etc. And right now I see two options I can see myself going with:

First... graduate in May and continue with my Fairfax Police Application. Serve with them to get my foot in the door, see what I like and feel I excel in and then go from there.

Second.. don't graduate yet, but get my Masters in Computer Science... meanwhile applying for Top Secret Clearance, and after I graduate, apply directly to Big Brother.

My only hesitation is... I don't want to be stuck behind a desk my whole life. I definately excell with computers I know that for a fact so I can definately help in that area, but I don't want to get limited in that field and I'm not sure as far as jobs go whether or not I could do both as far as computer work and field work. Obviously I'd take the second if it came down to it. From searching the FBI website it looked like I can apply as a Special Agent which sounds like it would encompass both... but I am not sure. I know this is more a of Police Forum so you may not be able to shed led on the Federal position, but any input is appreciated (please withhold bias ). THanks!

Ryan

[MP_Steve]

I know this is more a of Police Forum so you may not be able to shed led on the Federal position, but any input is appreciated (please withhold bias

I can tell you that you are dead wrong about that

A great number of our active members are currently working in the capacity of Special Agents, Criminal Investigators, or 1811 series Feds. We also have a number of federal uniformed officers on here, too.

I would stay in school and get my masters if I were you. You will not be too competitive without it. Computer Science will deversify you greatly aswell. Personally if I stopped where you are, I would not have enough self motivation to go any higher.

Also, I don't believe CIA or NSA have criminal investigators. Defense Intell has 1811-series CI's, but I don't think CIA or NSA do.

[MP_Steve]

Ryan,

If you have information about applying for a security clearence, let me know. I have a secret clearence as I am Military Police. But as far as I'm aware, you can't just go out and apply for one. You must be granted one from your hiring agency.

Another note: Don't plan on becoming a Federal Criminal Investigator or Special Agent until your late 20s. I think anyone on here will tell you that. :D

Best of luck to you in your endeavors :D

[mikeyd2006399]

Second.. don't graduate yet, but get my Masters in Computer Science... meanwhile applying for Top Secret Clearance, and after I graduate, apply directly to Big Brother.



Ryan

I could be misunderstanding you in the way you typed, however if I'm not, you cannot just "apply" for a TS clearence, you have to be in a position that requires you to have one to do your daily dutites. Additionally, 99% of the Federal LE agencies out there are not going to except a clearence based on another agencies background investigation. For example, I have a Top Secret clearence with the Army, that does exactly didily poop for me if i wanted a job working for any of the above named acronyms (AFT, FBI, CIA, and so forth). Each agency would conduct their own respective checks and clearence investigations.

[masterrh]

Thanks for the insight... I guess I can't just jump into work right out of college... I think I'll go for the Masters (and the debt :eek: ). Sorry about my misinformation about the TS and thanks for correcting that, as you can probably tell I am a total newbie here, which is why I wanted to seek some advice from the pros. I also think now that I've posted this in the wrong forum and it should be moved to the 'Federal Questions' thread? Sorry about that. Thanks again for all the help!

Ryan

[Redman]

Now I know this may not be a popular goal in the police area... but I would really like to work at a Federal level, either FBI, NSA, CIA, DEA, etc.

This is a VERY popular goal. When you put in an app to these agencies you will be competing against thousands.

Why not just do both? Get a local LE job, (experience is helpful in getting a fed job) and go part time to get your masters. Some departments may even help you pay for it.

[MDEMT280]

I don't want to be one to rain on your parade, but, well, get your umbrellas out folks. Here's the considered opinion of a member of the workforce and a kolledge stoodent: Life is complicated. You said you could graduate and continue with your Fairfax application, but does that guarantee you get the job with Fairfax? If not, you're a college grad who still needs a job.

You also said you could choose not to graduate, and get your master's degree. By "not graduate," do you actually mean not stop going to school, or do you mean "not receive a BA/BS?" Many graduate programs require a bachelor's degree first, so some clarification could help. Either way, I strongly recommend speaking to your academic advisor, and contacting the graduate school you're interested in. Remember, admission to and success in graduate school is not guaranteed. Life is complicated.

In my humble opinion, a master's degree can be extremely valuable, but so can work experience. I knew a fellow who was trying to get on with one of the three letter agencies (albeit not in a LE position), and it took him several years of relevant work experience AND a master's degree to get anything more than a "thanks, but no thanks" letter. Bear in mind that he did meet the minimum requirements for the position with just a bachelor's degree, but when push came to shove, it wasn't nearly enough to be competetive.

Find out what your graduate school requires. Take the GRE's if you have to, do your interviews and essays, and apply. If you're accepted, great! Take classes full-time, and change to part-time if the local position pans out. If the Fairfax position is offered to you before graduate school starts, see if you can defer your admission for a semester or a year. In the long run, it would still probably benefit you to get the master's degree, but as I said, don't completely write off relevant experience, too.

The biggest point I want to stress is, don't ever find yourself in a boat without a paddle. Life is (you guessed it) complicated. One of the absolute worst experiences I've ever had was to be completely stalled out. I was jobless, and finding a new job wasn't panning out. I wanted to go back to school, but the application deadlines had passed. I had nowhere to go to get myself really moving again. Always keep your options open and always have some way of working yourself towards your ultimate goal.

Hope I wasn't too much of a downer for you! Good luck with it all!

[squeeeg]

Why not just do both? Get a local LE job, (experience is helpful in getting a fed job) and go part time to get your masters. Some departments may even help you pay for it.

This is what I was thinking. I know many local officers near me that got their master while working for a local department. Also there are continuing education bonuses that many departments will give you. Another option is applying to work for a college police department. They usually will pay for the whole thing if you want your masters(from their school)

[BP348]

Another option to consider is to get the job with the PD and let them pay for the Masters :eek: That's what I would do. That way you get the best of both worlds and no school loans to go with it.

Many Departments have very good programs so that the officers will continue in their education. Wish my federal job had one.