Worthy Goal?

[limeade]

Preface: I hope everyone will understand that I'm not a LEO groupie and that these are legitimate questions I have involving my potential career.

As I understand it getting into anything Federal is extremely hard, best of the best and then some is needed and granted you fall into that category you still have no guarantees.

So here's my question, is it a realistic goal.? Is it something I should really shoot for, meaning gaining extra education and directing my career?

The reason I ask is because you apparently need a great deal of education to get these positions. Which is fine, but the severe financial penalties that come with graduate degrees is kind of scary when there is a real possibility that you will not get to use them. :confused:

Thanks ahead of time guys.

[Citicop]

I know of no entry level Federal Law Enforcement Jobs that require postgraduate degrees. It won't hurt you, but I would guess that most new federal hires only have a Bachelor's Degree.

Good Luck-

Citicop.

[Kimble]

Preface: I hope everyone will understand that I'm not a LEO groupie and that these are legitimate questions I have involving my potential career.

As I understand it getting into anything Federal is extremely hard, best of the best and then some is needed and granted you fall into that category you still have no guarantees.

So here's my question, is it a realistic goal.? Is it something I should really shoot for, meaning gaining extra education and directing my career?

The reason I ask is because you apparently need a great deal of education to get these positions. Which is fine, but the severe financial penalties that come with graduate degrees is kind of scary when there is a real possibility that you will not get to use them. :confused:

Thanks ahead of time guys.

"Best of the best", huh? I could point out a few I've met at FLETC that would contradict that theory, but I digress...

Many who apply do have graduate degrees, and certain agencies do favor them (particular 1811 agencies come to mind), but it's by no means a prerequisite for federal law enforcement jobs. Experience is huge for many agencies too, but then I did have a fellow student in my CITP class who was straight out of college with a co-op (basically a paid internship) with her agency as her only work experience.

If federal LE is your goal, go for it. Learn as much as you can about agencies that interest you and apply. However, I'd suggest doing what I did and finding a job you love should you not get an offer (for me it was working in local LE).

[Switchback]

I know of VERY FEW 1811s with any graduate degrees. A bachelors degree is just fine. The thing is to get other things that make you stand ouyt above the other applicants, such as experience, military service, etc.

The key with the federal process is to put in for a job and then go on with your life as if the application is not even in the works, continually trying to make yoruself more marketable.

[Kimble]

I know of VERY FEW 1811s with any graduate degrees.

This doesn't surprise me, Switch, but I would be surprised if you said the same thing in another 10 years. The 1811 application process is becoming more and more competitive, as you already know, and I'd say easily half of my CITP class had advanced degrees. That's just a small sampling of the overall 1811 world, but I'd imagine it's fairly accurate look of the application field today, and in the foreseeable future.

[Sierra]

Advanced degrees are not needed, as was stated above. A Bachelors can help bring you in at a higher GS/GL level, though, along with any relevant work experience. It will also depend on the agency you are looking at. I made ICE as a GL5 with an Associates and WE. Border Patrol is hiring right and left and has an expedited process available (no long wait). CBP is hiring all kinds of people. The more that are needed, the more likely it is that the higher degree won't be needed, at least as far as entry level.

And I agree with ROS. Some of those I saw were far from the 'best of the best'.

[limeade]

Thanks guys, thats a lot of surprising info!

One last question, is it easier or harder to get into FLEO work without prior LEO work? I mean I would love to be a cop, and like I mentioned earlier I've already submitted a packet but should that not work out, would work experience in my field "Finance" and picking up further education help?

[Maverick24]

Thanks guys, thats a lot of surprising info!

One last question, is it easier or harder to get into FLEO work without prior LEO work? I mean I would love to be a cop, and like I mentioned earlier I've already submitted a packet but should that not work out, would work experience in my field "Finance" and picking up further education help?

It really is difficult to say one way or another as it varies greatly. Of course LEO experience is a good thing, but I have seen applicants with little work exp. and college beat out an experienced LEO to a federal position. It can also work the other way in many cases. Bottom line, it all depends on what a particular agency is looking for at that particular time. In a typical FLETC class for instance, Individual experiences can be very broad and many different specialties/experience (other than LEO) can be just as valuable to an agency in many cases. Just like ROS said earlier, find a career path you love (LE or otherwise), apply away and live like you have no applications out at all. Make yourself a better applicant through your experience, and keep plugging until you reach your goal. Good Luck!

Just to add one more thing, finance/accounting exp. is very valuable to many agencies. IRS CI and the FBI are two that come to mind among others.

[Group9]

Don't sell yourself short. I frequently find that those who think they are qualifed for a federal 1811 job, often are not, and those who think they are not qualified, in fact often are.

All federal agenices are very clear about what the required qualifications are. Timing and luck can also play a role in getting hired. It cost nothing to apply.

[BP348]

I know of VERY FEW 1811s with any graduate degrees. A bachelors degree is just fine.

I think I can count the total number of BPA's and 1811's I know with graduate degrees on 1 hand.

If I count ROS that makes 6 :D