Attending Kaplan University.....question? Well maybe a couple :)

[willyssis]

I am currently attending Kaplan University, and although I have read on here it is one of the more expensive ways to go, its whats convenient for me right now. My local college does not carry a CJ program and I have a family of 6, all while working part time.
Ok, now that that's out. I am attending to get my degree in corrections/probation, in order to become a probation officer. However, I took a criminal investigation class and really liked that too. Although I know real life criminal investigation is different than the CSI shows, I enjoy watching those as well. I think it would be an interesting career to go into. Mainly because I like to figure out clues and why people do things.
Now, I was wondering if I would be better off going into criminal investigation? Are there many job opportunities for that?
Also, I could also continue in my degree for Probation and maybe take classes also to become a crime technician, by receiving a certificate in that program.
I don't know what to do because I want to get into a career that I like and not to do it just for money. I want it to be something I enjoy. However, I also want to get into a career where I will have an opportunity to obtain a job without the problems of "hunting forever" for a job.
Just wanted some suggestions and thank you for your time.

Holli

[pafindr]

You don't really need a CJ degree to get into the LE field. If you like the science side of LE why not major in the sciences (biology, physics, engineering, etc.). You can drop the CJ entirely or you can just do a minor in CJ.

Just my .02

[Kimble]

Now, I was wondering if I would be better off going into criminal investigation? Are there many job opportunities for that?

Every police department in America works criminal investigations, as do sheriff's departments, state police/highway patrol agencies and other federal and state investigative agencies. However, real life is not like CSI, and in most cases, you will start of working in a uniformed capacity (i.e. patrol) prior to getting into an investigative slot. Even agencies that hire entry-level criminal investigators (like many federal agencies) tend to hire those with experience from other agencies in far greater numbers than those who come in with only a college degree in hand.

If criminal investigations truly interests you (and it's a good job), you need to be okay with the fact that you'll likely have to start off on the streets for a few years before going to an investigative slot.

However, I also want to get into a career where I will have an opportunity to obtain a job without the problems of "hunting forever" for a job.

Holli, I can't speak for probation/parole departments, but there are police agencies throughout the country that are hiring, and tend to always be hiring. If you want to be a cop, there's likely jobs available in your area when you graduate, but don't expect to walk in on day one with a badge that says "Detective" because it won't happen.

Good luck.

[willyssis]

I realize that real life is not like CSI, but besides my Criminal Investigation class, its really the only thing I have to compare that line of work to.
Now, when you say "start off on the streets for a few years before going to an investigative slot", does that mean I will have to be a patrol officer? Because thats not really what I am interested in.
So do I have to be a "cop" (patrol officer) before I can get into any kind of investigative work??

Thanks

[Kimble]

Now, when you say "start off on the streets for a few years before going to an investigative slot", does that mean I will have to be a patrol officer?

Yes, that's exactly what I mean.

Because thats not really what I am interested in.
So do I have to be a "cop" (patrol officer) before I can get into any kind of investigative work??

Then you will probably want to focus your efforts on employment with probation/parole agencies, as law enforcement agencies (with few exceptions) start people on the streets (i.e. working patrol) before they put them into a criminal investigations division.

[BP348]

Now, when you say "start off on the streets for a few years before going to an investigative slot", does that mean I will have to be a patrol officer? Because thats not really what I am interested in.

The only way to get an investigator position without working "patrol" first is to get a Criminal Investigator position with a federal agency

[Kimble]

The only way to get an investigator position without working "patrol" first is to get a Criminal Investigator position with a federal agency

There are some state agencies that hire entry level criminal investigators (Georgia Bureau of Investigation is one that I know of), but I don't know what the numbers are of college graduate hires as opposed to LEOs from other local/state agencies.