Career Path(s)

Input: Unemployment

In my first post I mentioned that I am at interesting point in my life.  It is exciting, but also overwhelming having a few decisions to make that could affect me for years to come.  Yesterday, I went to downtown Shreveport to turn in my application for the police department.  Yes, I applied to become a police officer, but I will have to jump through many hoops to complete the process:

• civil service test
• key test (reading ability and other key elements measured)
• physical fitness test
• office interview/questionnaire
• background investigation
• polygraph
• oral interview board
• psychological test
• medical exam

It really shouldn't be a problem to pass all of these.  The fitness test is less than arduous, and I've already passed polygraph and psych tests when I was applying for a position within the Department of Defense.  Nonetheless, still many things to complete.

Now, I am still weighing options within the military, specifically the Air Force (my Dad was in for over twenty years, so it seems to be the logical option, but then again, my grandpa was in the Navy for over thirty years).  The reason I am wanting to have a job in these dangerous environments is to perhaps someday become a member of the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) of the FBI, which maybe doesn't make sense. Step 1: Get a dangerous job to gain experience for Step 2: Get an equally dangerous job.  Then again, maybe it does, since the HRT requires combat experience or police experience.  Neither of these requirements have anything to do with my degree, but what degree does?  Maybe criminal justice, but I have been told by law enforcement that they want other degrees because they can train you in those areas learned with a criminal justice degree.  After the HRT when my body can't take it anymore, I see myself working on the FBI's third priority: Cyber Crime.  But combat experience doesn't seem to give me an edge to get a job in the cyber world.  Still, my heart seems to be set on the FBI.  I can get there by the police, military, or graduate school.  I have been accepted to Purdue's Cyber Forensics Program.  I have been told that I can basically show up the first week of classes without giving them prior notice.  I can also get to the FBI directly through a vacancy posted on USAJobs.gov, but I have applied to many, and it seems to be near impossible to get an offer.

What now?  I have filled out a form online for a recruiter to contact me, and we will be able to talk more about the details.  I will continue along the path towards the Shreveport PD and investigate it further.  In the mean time I have applied some local jobs such as the Geek Squad and other local repair shops.  I also am still working with the Department of Defense to get a job.  Luckily my parents aren't breathing down my neck for me to get a job or get out of the house, so for the moment, I pray and clean.

Output: A plan and a good attitude.