Young buck needs your help please...

[ptumfleet]

Hello everyone! I have posted here a long long time ago, same forums different forum topic. Anyways, I need some help...

I am currently 19 years old, going to turn 20 in July. I have no college under my belt and am currently working a high paying job being a pipeline surveyor. This job makes it IMPOSSIBLE to get any college credits physically ("going to college") as I work 6 sometimes 7 days a week and 10 hours a day. Online classes will be very hard to accomplish, but definately do-able if I want to get them done. I know nothing about college and

I don't have many resources that are helpful and in the end, my dream/goal is to be in Law Enforcement. This crosses between a police officer, swat, deputy, ive also given serious consideration to F.B.I. From what I understand the F.B.I. requires a 4 year degree and the others a 2 year degree.

So i guess my main question is: What do I need to major in, what classes should i take, and how many credits do i need? Can someone please explain a little on how i go about doing online classes. I really appreciate it, my decisions depend alot on your responses.

Thankyou.

P.S. If you happen to have extra advise that doesnt answer any questions tell me anyways! I drew writer's block typing this lol.

Thanks again.

[hd2]

I've taken quite a few online classes so I can help answer that one.

I was enrolled as a part time student taking some classes online and some on campus. That way, I only HAD to be on campus once or twice a week and that left me with some flexibility for the rest of the time I had. That is why online classes worked for me.

Day classes usually meet 2-3 times per week so the workload is spread out over those meetings. Night classes usually meet once per week which is similar to online classes where the assignments are usually due once per week. Therefore, it may seem like a lot more work. Professors of my online classes have said to expect do do about 6-8 hours of work per week for the class. They say this because they figure a typical lecture is about 3 hours of learning for the week and then figure in time for study/homework. In my experience I'd say I'd spend about 4 hours per week on an online class.

Online classes take a lot of discipline. You're basically teaching the material to yourself. Then you are expected to prove this by intelligently responding to the material usually in a discussion type forum (much like this!).

I recommend online classes for the flexibility but make sure you are good at managing your time. I wouldn't recommend starting out with them for your first college class(es) though. If anything, take a few semesters and then mix them in- part on campus, part online.

Good luck and definitely make time for college!:cool:

[ptumfleet]

I've taken quite a few online classes so I can help answer that one.

I was enrolled as a part time student taking some classes online and some on campus. That way, I only HAD to be on campus once or twice a week and that left me with some flexibility for the rest of the time I had. That is why online classes worked for me.

Day classes usually meet 2-3 times per week so the workload is spread out over those meetings. Night classes usually meet once per week which is similar to online classes where the assignments are usually due once per week. Therefore, it may seem like a lot more work. Professors of my online classes have said to expect do do about 6-8 hours of work per week for the class. They say this because they figure a typical lecture is about 3 hours of learning for the week and then figure in time for study/homework. In my experience I'd say I'd spend about 4 hours per week on an online class.

Online classes take a lot of discipline. You're basically teaching the material to yourself. Then you are expected to prove this by intelligently responding to the material usually in a discussion type forum (much like this!).

I recommend online classes for the flexibility but make sure you are good at managing your time. I wouldn't recommend starting out with them for your first college class(es) though. If anything, take a few semesters and then mix them in- part on campus, part online.

Good luck and definitely make time for college!:cool:

Thankyou.

Hmmmmm... Sounds like I am going to have to drop my job in the future to be a law enforcement officer... Im starting it Sunday and I have nothing, so im going to have to work there long enough to get me on my feet. It pays out about 75,000$/year starting out. I assume I will work there 2-3 years minimum, that will put me at 22-24 years old give or take. Do you think that is to old to start college and THAN start my law enforcement career? Or would I be better off taking what online classes I can in that time than take the remaining classes physically at the college?

[Lawson]

Young buck needs your help please...

For a minute I thought you were referring to... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Buck

[Sierra]

I did not obtain my Associates degree until I was almost 35. I was not hired by my current agency until 18 days before I aged out at 37. So no, you would not be too old if you started then. Bear in mind that some agencies (NYPD @ 35, 6c covered feds were 37, now some are 40) have a max hiring age.

As far as the degree goes, go for something that interests you. It is much easier to go to school if you actually like the subjects you are taking. Many agencies simply 'check the box' for a degree, although some (FBI, IRS, etc) prefer specific fields.

I would recommend taking courses as you are able to, including online. That will leave you with less to take when you buckle down. I do not recommend taking courses online, such as math, that may be difficult for you.

[mcsap]

You should consider taking CLEP tests to get to that degree QUICKER. And it can also save you some nice $$$.

My daughter has CLEPPED over 30 credits already.

[noelchabanel]

I have found that online/distance format/independent study courses are much more difficult than traditional in-person courses--courses in a classroom with a professor and other students. Of course, that's only if you are getting them from a reputable school :rolleyes:. I would not reccomend them to someone who is just beginning college, and some colleges will not even allow it anyway--mine doesn't offer anything online and won't even allow students to do independent studies directed by a professor unless they have a 2.5 overall GPA and a 3.0 GPA in their major.

The problem is that you don't have a good idea of what type of work you are expected to produce in college until you get there and you start doing it. Writing standards are much higher than in high school, and sources for research papers and projects need to be from high quality sources. If you don't know what that means and haven't taken a general education course that teaches you--such as english composition, or research methods--you will be in hot water when grade time comes in ANY class (with the possible exception of math courses ).
I took my first online course in my fourth year, and while I got an A, I had to work my ar$$e off for it without the benefit of an in-person professor to ask for help or classmates to study and discuss the material with. The success or failure is completely your own.

Take your core requirements first in person and see how you do. If you turn out to be a great student in your english composition, logic, humanities, or whatever you have to take for general education requirements, you will probably be fine with some online or independent study work if you are very disciplined.

Summer school is a good way to speed things up in addition to the aforementioned CLEP exams--which are good if you are already proficient in a subject area. At my school summer courses meet daily for 3 hours but only last a few weeks. The credit for summer courses (and the required material) is the same as what is offered in the traditional semester.

If I were you (which of course I am not) I'd just enroll full time live on campus and get a part-time job. You're only 19, and I presume are not married, is there some big reason you can't do that? Depending on your geographic area, financial need, academic record and the school's generosity with financial aid, it's more affordable than alot of people think with scholarships, grants etc.

PS: Pace yourself. At 7 days a week and 10 hours a day on the job you will be left with no time for study. I personally would never be able to pull that off with good grades. It's hard enough working 46 hours a week, at the college I go to, and only taking 3 courses in the traditional format for me. But it is do-able, and I will graduate with a 3.0 GPA.

[womanwarrior]

Being a mom of two and working full time takes its time, that's for sure. But even though, I am studying online towards my goal of finishing my degree in Criminal Justice. It is all very time consuming, but if you have the passion and like hd said, it takes a lot of discipline. It may also take sacrifices, like instead of going out on a weekend when the ex has the kids, you stay home and study. Like another said, there are a lot of ways out there to finance your schooling. If being a police officer is your dream, is your passion, then go for it, instead of thinking "if only", bur rather "how can I do it?" And to do it is hard work. Others can support you, but cannot do it for you. The choice is yours.

[slocar]

You should consider taking CLEP tests to get to that degree QUICKER. And it can also save you some nice $$$.

My daughter has CLEPPED over 30 credits already.

CLEP tests are always a good way to go but always make sure your school will apply them to your degree. Other wise it's a waste of $75 or so dollars.

[josh_tkd]

I go to a local community college & am near my associates degree. I've taken about half online and half traditional classes. I'll say that online classes are great if you are either already familiar with the subject, have some interest in the subject (afterall, you'll be reading the text and teaching yourself from it), or have no other choice. I've done fine in most, but the online math classes kick my butt.

[England]

I wouldn't recommend online at first. Go part time at night

If I had it to do over again I would have majored in something else. Like Information Technology. That's the ticket right there. You can still be LEO but if that doesn't work out you can go to work in Information Security. Big bucks.

Bottom line regarding your job if your getting paid well, keep it. Make LE your hobby. Go be a reserve officer or something. Then go be a professor after retirement.

[Kimble]

Bottom line regarding your job if your getting paid well, keep it. Make LE your hobby. Go be a reserve officer or something. Then go be a professor after retirement.

After 2.5 years of being a manager for a company - while working a a reserve LEO - I learned that making good money and having a crap job ain't worth it. I took a $10k pay cut to become a cop, and loved life. Money is good, and making enough to give you and your family a comfortable life is the way to go, but making a lot of money doesn't beat job satisfaction. Having to put in 8 hours every day at job you hate is no way to spend a career.