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I'm hoping this thread can help me with a few pointers (either as advice, or literal "point in this direction") to land a job. I recently graduated in August 2011, earning my Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. I've been actively looking for a job related to my field online, including USAJOBS, but so far very few opportunities have come up. I have no prior law enforcement experience, because as interested as I am in the field, I have no intention of becoming a police officer. I was hoping more to achieve something more behind a desk, like a fingerprint examiner (I have a certificate from a one week course) or an investigator. I recently spoke with two of my professors, who recommended a couple of jobs like Probation Officer, Child Protection Team, Public Service Aide, and so on. They also highly recommend that I go to law school, which is something I am considering, but only if I can obtain a job now instead of leeching more money from my parents. So far I've been using both USAJOBS and Indeed to search and apply for jobs, but I've yet to hear back from any agencies, retail or federal. I live in Florida, and would prefer to stay in Florida, but I'm not against looking elsewhere if it means a better chance of gaining a high paying career. I'm really hoping you guys can help me out in any way you can. It's becoming quite discouraging, especially when two of my friends who also graduated in Criminal Justice insist that there is no market for our profession (they both gave it up and became managers at their respective companies). I don't want the degree to go to waste though, and I really want to start working (I've been unemployed for three years). I still have no idea exactly what I want to do the most with my degree, but I'm willing to settle for a decent position now while continuing to shoot for higher prospects later.
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Feb 6, 2012 21:51
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| # ¿ Apr 20, 2024 11:36 |
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Haven't used any series or grade settings: I just put my zip code and see everything that's available within my area. Assuming everyone's feelings are unanimous that the CJ degree is a wash, is there any other degree or certification that I could earn under a year that would broaden my chances?
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Feb 7, 2012 04:50
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Delorence Fickle posted:It's pretty much true. If a few of my fellow TSA coworkers can go from checking bags for a few years to working for the US Park/Capitol/Smithsonian Police without any college, then your best bet would be to get some kind of entry level job in the gov and get your years in. Then move up the ladder like that. Any suggestions on what those jobs might be? I don't want to be a police officer, but I also don't want to be a custodian either. I'm hoping there's some kind of middle-ground job that puts me behind a desk or otherwise. I would be willing to just give up getting a federal career altogether if my degree at least gives me an unrelated opportunity that pays a higher than average salary. The same friends who told me that a CJ degree does me no good to get a federal job also state that "just you having any kind of Bachelor's broadens your chances". I just need to find out what those chances might be.
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Feb 9, 2012 22:56
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The thought has crossed my mind more than once, but as much as I'd hate to admit it, I know I would also get homesick real fast. My entire family is stationed in Florida. My youngest sister has a job in Louisiana, and not a day goes by where she doesn't wish she was back home. That said, she has made a name for herself over there, and she gets plenty of visits. But considering how hard it was for her to move there versus me joining the military and being shipped off who knows where, I know it wouldn't go so well. I'm not 100% certain how military practices work these days, so if it was a guarantee I would remain in Florida without being suddenly assigned to the other side of the planet, then I would certainly look into it further.
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Feb 9, 2012 23:32
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Evil SpongeBob posted:A bachelors degree gets you GS-5, >3.6 GPA gets you a GS-7. Most entry level jobs do not care about your major. That seems to be the popular opinion. Basically, I shouldn't give up the idea of landing a CJ degree, but it isn't something that can conceivably happen this year. So I think I'm going to bite my tongue and focus on retail and other positions. I'm hoping that with my degree and five plus years of retail experience (in a grocery store), I can land something that's a big higher in the totem pole...like a Manager. I don't want to derail this thread with non-federal discussions. Is there a general jobs thread where I can inquire further with my plans?
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Feb 10, 2012 05:18
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Typo, that should say "landing a CJ job".
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Feb 10, 2012 06:06
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fivetwo posted:For anyone looking to be (A)t (T)he (F)rontline against violent crime, the ATF is hiring for 1 day, Feb 28th, on USAJobs. The announcement will be open for 24 hours. I applied for this yesterday. Didn't read on how many vacancies they had, just made sure I met one of their requirements (bachelor's) and applied as fast as I could. I'm not entirely sure what an ATF special agent job entails, but I'm certain I wouldn't turn down the opportunity.
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Mar 1, 2012 01:22
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fivetwo posted:You investigate primarily federal firearms violations (felon in possession of a firearm); ATF also probably, I would argue, has the best undercover program in federal LE... they're always infiltrating gangs/motorcycle clubs... That sounds awesome. The only thing I have going for me is the Bachelor's degree, so the odds are probably not in my favor, but I'll apply for these opportunities as they open up all the same.
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Mar 2, 2012 05:58
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Did the Deputy US Marshals position open in USA Jobs? I've been checking since yesterday and the only US Marshals-related job that shows up is Quality Review Specialist.
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Mar 6, 2012 18:30
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fivetwo posted:It was open at 1201AM EST March 5, 2012, to be open 5 days, or until 11:59PM EST on the day they received 5,000 applications. Can't believe I missed it...I could have sworn I marked it on Rainlendar. I managed to apply for the ATF job, but as slim as my chances are, I would have done better with two slim chances instead of one. Is there any approach I can take to getting hired locally, perhaps in a police department? About the only non-policeman job I've been able to find is Asset Protection with retail stores. I've applied to a good deal of those, but there has to be something else I can try applying for with a CJ degree.
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Mar 8, 2012 03:47
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A friend of my father informed me about a recent posting for Border Patrol/Customs at USA Jobs. I applied for the position and completed the mandatory online test, and had then scheduled to take the written test in Orlando, FL on April 3rd. Was I elligible for the written test because I scored well enough on the online test, or do they offer this oppurtunity for anyone who fills out the application? What does the written test entail, what score is usually required, and how long do they take to contact you if you're elligible for the next step (the physical training in GA)? More importantly, what are the pros/cons of Border Patrol? Since obtaining my CJ degree, this has been the biggest (and so far only) oppurtunity I've been given so far. I'm filled with questions and doubts, and I'm hoping some opinions here can help alleviate either/or.
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Mar 20, 2012 18:49
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CBP. Wasn't sure of the difference, but according a Googled forum, CBP makes double overtime. Not sure of any other major advantages/disadvantages between the two. And according to my dad's sources, scoring a 90% or higher on the test guarantees a callback for the 3 month training phase. Wondering if that's true.
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Mar 21, 2012 01:49
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Evil SpongeBob posted:There are a shitton of border patrol related forums (a big one on Delphi IIRC). I'd take a look at those. Also, be prepared to move to the SW United States. Well I do reside in Florida, and Florida is one of the choices for deployment. According to my dad's friends (who work at the Miami Airport), it's a cinch to work in my hometown once I get the job.
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Mar 21, 2012 06:54
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So I got an email that indicated that I passed the Border Protection Officer exam. The next step is to fill out and upload signed documents, which I'm doing as we speak. After that, it says my passed status is good for one year, which means it could be weeks or months whether or not I get a callback for an interview, if ever. Meanwhile, I also passed the exam for Communications Officer with my local sheriff's office, to which they guarantee a callback for an interview in a week or two from now. If by chance I get offered both jobs, I wonder which I should go for.
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Apr 13, 2012 04:10
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TheUnhorse posted:Hey man the position you're applying to is often referred to as a CBP Officer, AKA the Customs guys as opposed to the Border Patrol Agents. CBP officers wear dark blue clothes and work at border crossings, international airports, and international seaports. There is a huge variety of poo poo to do, and if you're young and ambitious I'd recommend going to the largest port of entry that you can. They will teach you Spanish if you need it (Southwest border positions, Miami, and San Juan) in a 6 week immersion, and you can do poo poo like K9 handler, some plain clothes operations, and various intelligence functions that involve digital forensics if that excites you at all. If you're on land border crossing expect to rip open a lot of cars and trucks for weed. I'd really recommend you watch the show "Border Wars" (I think Season 1 is on Netflix, it's a Nat Geo show) and pay attention to what the blue suits are doing. Thanks for the advice. That's about what I read about the job as well, so I'm glad there is a distinguishable difference between CBP and Border Patrol. Seems I wasn't the only one who didn't know there was a difference, as many people have responded to my application with "Have fun getting killed in Puerto Rico". Of course, I have no idea how easy or hard it would be to be placed in Miami International Airport. I'm hoping I won't have to move out of town to some other unfamiliar place. I'll also give that series you mentioned a look as well. Anyway, potentially stupid question incoming: In the paperwork I had to fill for the next phase, it asked if I was registered with the Selective Service System, and to list the reasons why if I wasn't. I read the wiki page on it, and apparently I don't need to register as I was born on 1981. At least, I'm really hoping I read that correctly. Just want to make sure I didn't mess up, since I've never even heard of this system until the question kept popping up in these federal job applications.
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Apr 18, 2012 20:07
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kys posted:I'm at the academy for CBPO in Georgia so if anyone has questions just shoot them my way or PM me. I wouldn't even know where to check, much less sign up. I'd better find out once and for all if this applies to me, in case I have to send a correction to the documents. I do have a couple of basic questions about the Academy. 1. How rigorous is the training, assuming you're already at average shape (as in, you can do push-ups and sit-ups and can jog a reasonable distance)? 2. How many hours a day do you need to do? 3. What do they test you on? 4. Is Georgia the only place that has the academy? In one of the forms, it had Miami, FL as an option (where I'm located), so I'm wondering. 5. Is the room and board free? Do you get WiFi (I would assume, since you're posting)?
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Apr 19, 2012 02:43
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P.D.B. Fishsticks posted:https://www.sss.gov/default.htm I wouldn't exactly call 30 "old", but I tried to fill out that form, and it said "You must be under 26 to register". quote:If you're a male U.S. citizen, age 18 through 25, and are living INSIDE the United States or its territories, or if you have an APO/FPO address, you can register with Selective Service by filling out the form below and clicking on "Submit Registration." It sounds like I don't have to do it, but I'd still like to get an official statement for good and all. Who could I contact for confirmation, though?
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Apr 19, 2012 22:17
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JohnnyHildo posted:You needed to register when you were 18-25. If you didn't register, you're most likely going to find yourself ineligible to be employed by the federal government. You can see if you registered here (though the verification is down at the moment): Well according to this, I registered at 3/8/2004. How the gently caress do I not remember this? Now I'll have to send a revised page that indicates I did register. I'll probably have to include a cover letter of sorts to apologize for the mix-up. I really hope this doesn't gently caress over my chances now. On the upside, I finally got my NOR, and it said I scored an 88. That's 2 points lower than the "assured" 90, but I'm plenty satisfied. Primoman fucked around with this message at 06:06 on Apr 20, 2012 |
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Apr 20, 2012 05:38
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Haven't heard back from the Custom Border Protection folks; I submitted the required paperwork, so it's all a matter of waiting to see if they contact me. I did hear back from the Broward Sheriff's Office and scheduled an oral interview for the Communications Operator (I) position. At this point I'll accept the position no matter what they offer, so I hope I can convince them of my credentials. And this week I had taken (and passed) a test for the position of Intelligence Analyst (I) for the FBI. They also said they will contact me within the next few weeks for Phase II should they decide to do so. Ignoring any possible advantages in pay/benefits with CBP, I can't foresee anyone in their right mind turning down a chance to work with the FBI. I'm hoping they contact me first, because I would absolutely accept the job without hesitation.
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May 26, 2012 03:00
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Do you have any opinions on the Intelligence Analyzer position? Pros, cons, that sort of thing? Also wondering if you had access to any classified info. Not so much "here's where we keep the aliens", but there's bound to be secrets that they prefer the average person would not know about.
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May 29, 2012 22:54
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Drewski posted:Pros, you get to be involved in some really cool stuff (Sorry, can't get into details). The one thing that immediately comes to mind was that 4-chan story about catching an anonymous poster making bomb threats. I imagine it's something along those lines? In any case, you made the position sound awesome for me, so I've seriously got my fingers crossed on this one. Being a "paperwork" kind of job, does that mean less emphasis on previous law enforcement/government experience? I don't have either, but I'm hoping my Internet browsing skills plus typing speed gives me an edge (not to mention the CJ degree, of which its advantages are...debatable).
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May 29, 2012 23:47
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Drewski posted:So you like soaps, eh? :P I like anything that creates a unique experience each time I go to work, so if by "soaps" you mean "crime-related stories", then yes. Putting a face and name to any objectives I'd be given would be immensely satisfying, especially as I also have aspirations of becoming a writer.
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May 30, 2012 00:12
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| # ¿ Apr 20, 2024 11:36 |
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Got an e-mail this weekend from Customs Border Protection detailing what they require for the fitness test. While the e-mail stated that I still wasn't guaranteed a callback unless a position was open (it was addressed to all applicable candidates), I do want to start training my body just in case. Is there a listing somewhere that gives the recommended average that should ensure I pass the fitness test? I'm confident I can meet the requirements if I prepare in advance, but knowing exactly how many sit-ups, push-ups, etc would be required to "pass" would help me set a targeted goal.
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Jul 9, 2012 07:31
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