Federal LEO?

[audi0xpl0de]

Yeah, I've seen some people hear back 2 years later, so I understand how long it can take.

My master's is in education, so that really won't help me that much. Just shows my academic ability I guess. I am 2 years into a Ph.D. program, but I've always had a passion for law enforcement. I passed all my boards, background, and interview with the chief for a State Police position 3 years back, but do to unforeseen circumstances I had to pull out of that. That's life I guess. I was actually surprised to see that I was already registered on this board. I guess I was here getting great advice when I was going through that process.

I'm constantly checking USAJobs and department websites. I'd like to get into ICE, DEA, ATF, or possibly FAM. I don't have a problem being relocated anywhere either.

[Kimble]

My master's is in education, so that really won't help me that much. Just shows my academic ability I guess.

FWIW, an agent in my academy class was a former HS teacher with a MS in English. Just because you think you don't have transferrable skills doesn't mean a hiring agency won't. Apply.

[Grift]

For federal LEO jobs, my motto is this. For qualified people, it's often easier to get the job than you would think. For unqualified people, it's harder to get the job than you would think.

You have nothing to lose by applying. :D

But what is "qualified?" Minimum standards for whatever grade level? Or is that the joke? You never know how qualified you are until it is either easy or hard to get the job?

Wait, I know... qualified is being able to spot a facetious maxim on a board. D'oh! FAIL for Grift.

[smcc360]

I just turned 27.

Plenty 'o time. Good luck.

[Group9]

But what is "qualified?" Minimum standards for whatever grade level? Or is that the joke? You never know how qualified you are until it is either easy or hard to get the job?

Wait, I know... qualified is being able to spot a facetious maxim on a board. D'oh! FAIL for Grift.

I guess that came off as trite. The minimum standards will get you into the hiring pool, IF you pass all of the other entrance tests (SSBI, medical, psych, PTT, interview, etc.). You still then have to compete with everyone in the hiring pool for jobs as they come open. At that point, it is sometimes like comparing apples and oranges to figure out who is going to get the phone call to come to the academy.

[Maverick24]

Yeah, I've seen some people hear back 2 years later, so I understand how long it can take.

My master's is in education, so that really won't help me that much. Just shows my academic ability I guess. I am 2 years into a Ph.D. program, but I've always had a passion for law enforcement. I passed all my boards, background, and interview with the chief for a State Police position 3 years back, but do to unforeseen circumstances I had to pull out of that. That's life I guess. I was actually surprised to see that I was already registered on this board. I guess I was here getting great advice when I was going through that process.

I'm constantly checking USAJobs and department websites. I'd like to get into ICE, DEA, ATF, or possibly FAM. I don't have a problem being relocated anywhere either.

As ROS and others can attest, it dosent matter at all that your degree is in education. We had a few education majors in my FLETC class. Dont let that slow you down at all. Apply away! Just be patient, as it can be a long haul...

[Chainsaw_chew]

I graduated with honors with a BA in criminal justice. I'm going for local law enforcement for the experience, hopefully by this July. My goal is to get into FLE as an 1811. The reason i'm going for local law enforcement and not for my Masters, is to help beat out some of the competiton. Education is great but from what i heard asking around many FLEO's and 1811's is that a lot of them look for experience. I fit minimum qualifications for getting in some agencies but it's the competition i'm worried about.

[Kimble]

I graduated with honors with a BA in criminal justice. I'm going for local law enforcement for the experience, hopefully by this July. My goal is to get into FLE as an 1811. The reason i'm going for local law enforcement and not for my Masters, is to help beat out some of the competiton. Education is great but from what i heard asking around many FLEO's and 1811's is that a lot of them look for experience. I fit minimum qualifications for getting in some agencies but it's the competition i'm worried about.

Sounds like a plan, and from what I've seen, is the best course of action. I had an MS and was told by several agencies, "that's nice, but get some experience first." I did, and started getting job offers.

If you go local and want to go 1811 down the road, be sure you pursue a path that will get you into investigations. Enjoy patrol, as it's a great job, but develop investigative experience and skills if you want to later pursue an 1811 job.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Sounds like a plan, and from what I've seen, is the best course of action. I had an MS and was told by several agencies, "that's nice, but get some experience first." I did, and started getting job offers.

If you go local and want to go 1811 down the road, be sure you pursue a path that will get you into investigations. Enjoy patrol, as it's a great job, but develop investigative experience and skills if you want to later pursue an 1811 job.

Thanks a lot for your response to my statement. My family is completely against me leaving my current job of being a paralegal for NYC law department to join the NYPD since the pay sucks and people here treat officers like crap a lot of the time here. But I see it as a career investment and an 1811 is my career goal. Thanks again, i'll be sure to get into any investigative units as soon as I can.