Im doing a research project (I'm a CJ major) and was hoping you could give me your opinion on the job performance of LEO's with a college degree (AA/AS, BA/BS, MS, etc.) v. those without and higher education. Thanks
213292
I agree, the degree will help open doors, if you want to work for the FBI but I do not see any difference in job advancement unless it is in the entry level.\n\nI know investigators' with no advanced education who are top notch. I also know investigators with a  degree who have  "Book Sense";however, lack common sense in application of the law.\n\nYou have to look at this on the individual basis. After all...when ever you begin working for an agency...Aren't you still a Rookie???
72331
Its a whole lot like a business degree, it doesnt mean very much. The jobs where you would think it would count the most dont really care if you have one. Take police, for example. That job is experienced based, and tho it counts a bit (in that it will give you an edge over someone who doesnt have one) they need so many people that it wont matter in the long run and in the end the knowledge you get in the Academy is much more important than class-room learning. Keep in mind, any degree is good... very few people actually end up doing what they went to school for, and companies who care about college degrees generally do so becuase of what the degree SYMBOLIZES (perseverance, desire to learn, punctuality, etc.) much more than what that little peice of paper says. Hope this helps
282681
I am a Graphic Designer.  I could not possibly think of a cooler job for me.  I had to work very hard to convince my parents to allow me to major in Art, they thought I would be selling paintings on the sidewalk, I guess.  But I worked very, very hard and earned my Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art and now I get paid to draw pictures everyday!  I love it!
361595
well, I don't have any degree, but I happened to answer an ad in the paper.  They hired me as a drug and alcohol counselor with no experience in drugs, or counseling (well except bartending.)  Once I got into the field, it enabled me to find out what part of counseling I wanted to do, because from my experience there's a pretty wide range, which most people don't realize.  Or you could ask some professors at a college who know about the different fields.  There are jobs out there who hire entry-level because it can be a difficult field with low-pay.
139759
Everyone is different.  I personally went to college to be a high school teacher.  I realized after a year and 1/2 that I hated it.  I worked in a restaurant for a year, then taught adult learners for a year, then when I was 25 I stumbled into a marketing position and have been in marketing ever since (for 7 years).  I wish I'd gotten a degree in marketing....
70263
I think that Ace Librarian has given you a great answer but it also depends on your background, GPA and ACT are not everything!  I can tell you from experience since I graduated from U of M.
309548
I currently hold a Bachelor of Science degree (4 years) and two associate degrees or (2 year) degrees.  In my case they have done me (zero) good.  A person with NO degrees what so ever was promoted ahead of me because she knew the big boss.  You can take that however you want. In most cases a degree WILL get you in the door or at least the employer will take a look at you.   Your chances are much better of getting the job.  Now if you are really good at kissing various parts of your bosses anatomy you will probably go very far other wise you'll have to wait in the basement with the rest of us smucks, degree or not.  Life can really suck at times...cold hard facts.
488281
I haven't been forced into taking a career,but when I was in high school it was popular to take computer engineering. When I told my friends I want to be a history major, they all laughed, but I took history anyway and I am now in college doing really good in it.  For me it's improtant to "love" the job that I am going to do. Some people just  go to college to make a lot of money, but I was looking for a job that I can enjoy doing, knowing I made a difference :).
7569
I've considered a career in law as well and tried to do as much research as possible.  What I found is, literally, 90% of the lawyers I've interviewed are unhappy with their lives.  The other 10% were merely ok with their decision.  Considering these are close friends or friends of friends, it's very telling about the profession.\n\nThe major reason for their answers are usually the long hours.  Working for law firms tend to be worse than the corporate environment, but it isn't saying much about corporations either.  I met up with a friend who was a corporate lawyer and noticed how hard rock was absolutely blasting out of his car.  When asked why it was so loud, he responded in a serious tone, "Man, I gotta drown out the $!%@# from work".\n\nI suggest you try to find some friends or friends of friends who are lawyers and asking for a completely candid Q & A session with them.  You'll learn the most from that than anything else.
118980
From friends I have in this field of work, I was told their interviews dealt much with how they would react in a given situation... I guess your studies in Psychology should help there. I know for the in the state I live in... job interviews involving law enforcement and high security work are drawn from the MMPI or MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory). There are a multitude of websites you can research such interview questions.\n\nI know you can count on the interviewers will be looking for strength of character, quick-thinking, and integrity. Good luck.
535681
I spent twenty-year years working at the University of California and one thing I told students was to pick a major they enjoyed.  There is a misconception that in order to be a doctor you have to take nothing but courses related to medicine.  Not true.  There are people in medical school who have bachelor's degrees in all different fields.  For example, should you decide during you BS degree that medicine is where you want to be, you start taking the preparatory courses.  My biggest pain were parents who insisted their children take degree programs in which they sucked.  If you can't do Math, then an accounting degree is a poor choice.  You aren't likely to succeed.  *smile*.  There is no limit to what you can achieve with a BS in Liberal Arts or Communication because you can always add courses to prepare you for another avenue should you so decide.  I had students who were shocked to learn that Sociology degrees would help them in Law Enforcement.    Hope this was helpful.
620723
Any type of degree or certification improves your chances over those who don't have it.  An AA is also a good stepping stone to a Bachelor's...and sounds like it's a good short-term goal for you.  As an individual who has to hire people periodically, if an individual is over 25 and doesn't have a degree or certification of any sort, I put their resume aside.  I worked full time, had a full time job, and helped support a household and still managed to find time to improve myself with education.  So, I expect the same of those who will work for me.
674083
I'm sorry to dissappoint you, but that aspect of history at least, is not going to repeat itself. Job requirements are getting higher everyday. Before u didn't need school, then all u needed was a high school diploma, now it's at least an Associate's Degree. The bar is being set higher, everyone needs to keep up.\nAlso, Henry Ford might have become successful, but back then he didn't have the Germans (Mercedes), and Japanese (Toyota, Hyundai etc) breathing down his neck. Today you don't have to compete with just Americans, the whole world is competing for the job and money you want. And most of those people are educated and will have better chances.\nIf you don't think school is important thats great. But don't complain if some more educated person takes a job you want, gets paid more, and ends up more successful.
276014
My husband's degree is in architecture.  He started working at UPS while he was at college and is still there today.  They had him in the buildings and facilities department initially, he was involved with designing their wherehouses and offices.  Now he is in industrial engineering, even though he doesn't have a degree in it.  He earns a pretty juicy salary, receives bonuses and stock, is fully vested in his pension - overall it is a steady job.  He also did own his own interior design firm while working at UPS.  We always had work because 80% of our business came from 20% of our clients (repeats and referrals).  When you are good, your clients basically sell you.
571695
One pretty good source in the United States is the Occupational Outlook handbook written by the government. It lists jobs, duties, salaries, education required, and projected job openings. Second, if you have money, the rule of thumb is 30-30-30: cash (30%), mutual funds/stocks (30%), and real estate (30%). Study the list of rich and famous people who didn't attend or graduate from college. I suspect the answer lies in passion, concentration, dedication, marketing, and working smart, not hard. Third, people are paying big money for any type of information, and also thru the internet. Last, find a need and fill it. Look at how many chicken or hamburger places there are.
29136
seems to me that mba is becoming the minimum requirement for some jobs.  I guess that's just the evolution of society...it used to be that you just needed a HS diploma, then a bachelors degree.  I think it pretty much just makes you more competive.  I just started working on mine...can't wait til it's over!
436159
ONLY ONE of my friends of those that attended vocational schools ever did anything worth mentioning; the others are still driving buses or working in Sanitation or working as Maintainers (repair work) in the subway systems or still working in garages as grease-monkeys.  That one person who did this is my buddy of 43 years who also made the sacrifice of going to college and he struggled because of his poor academic skills that he received in vocational school but he buckled down and studied harder and persevered until he got his BA and he is now in a Supervisory position.  My buddy is the exception to the rule, but the exception does NOT make the rule...!\n\nBecause of his college degree and the dogged way of studying and passing exams, he is the youngest and the only one of the supervisors that went up the hierchical ladder because of his college degree, except for a couple of incompetent fools who have cronies in positions of "power" within the Transit system, and those nincompoops are always making a mess of things (they're going to be in a heap of trouble once my buddy retires)!\n\nConsider this: years of being a minor: 21 years; years of being an adult: THE REST OF YOU LIFE!  If you "sacrifice" a few more years (and, believe me, these years will seem to go by so quickly), and you also sacrifice some time away from fun-times, you will have a more comfortable adulthood afterward if you settle into a comfortable routine of studying and getting your work done on time; you will develop good study habits and develop the academic skills to enable you to do well in college, which will prepare you for whatever you wish to do for the rest of your life, and that's an awfully long time!  I speak from experience. \n\nSmart people learn from their mistakes; WISE people learn from the mistakes of others.  WHAT do you prefer to do?