I'm 21 years old and currently attend CCSF (City College of San Francisco) and am planning to major in a science related field (bio-tech, bio-chem, ect.) maybe even go for engineering. If I stay on my current path, summer of '07 should be my last semester there at which point I will be ready to transfer to a 4-year school. Only problem is I am totally burnt out on school. I can?t stand it anymore; I?m tired of the tedious busy work I need to get out. Once I finish at ccsf and move out of my parent?s house my attitude might change for a little while, then Ill just go back to feeling the same way. I really enjoy science and I?ve always had people tell me that?s what I excel in, and I?m sure if I ever got a degree and a job I?d be happy, but the schooling required to get me there will drive me crazy.
My friend goes to USC and is majoring in Bio-Medical Engineering and feels the exact same way. He has done a lot of research into joining the police department specifically Oakland PD or SFPD and is trying to convince me to join with him. In the back of my science oriented mind I?ve always been interested in law enforcement or becoming a detective or working for the government, but I had always assumed that cops had VERY low salaries. Now my friend is telling me how the starting pay (for the local divisions here anyways) is $65-70k a year and with overtime and the opportunities for advancement the possibility of seeing over six figures. I didn?t believe him at first, but after doing some research and talking to a few people, one of which has a son and brother on the force, I found out he was right. I?m pretty much stuck in a rut and have absolutely no idea what I want to do. The only reason I?m still in school is because I have nothing else to do and I?ve always been told that that is the path I need to take.
My questions:
1. What?s it like being a cop? For those of you who are cops, especially ones in California, what made you want to be a cop?
2. What is the standard advancement like for an officer?
3. What is the typical first posting for a rookie out of the academy? I?ve been told you just get thrown into some of the worst neighborhoods walking the beat.
4. Anything you can tell me about being a cop? Or can anyone give me any ideas that done require any more schooling?
Cliffs:
1. Burnt out on school, need other alternatives.
2. Friend feels same way, wants me to join police department with him.
3. Want info about being a cop; pay, experience, just general info from officers.
4. Pretty much have no idea where I want to go.
My friend goes to USC and is majoring in Bio-Medical Engineering and feels the exact same way. He has done a lot of research into joining the police department specifically Oakland PD or SFPD and is trying to convince me to join with him. In the back of my science oriented mind I?ve always been interested in law enforcement or becoming a detective or working for the government, but I had always assumed that cops had VERY low salaries. Now my friend is telling me how the starting pay (for the local divisions here anyways) is $65-70k a year and with overtime and the opportunities for advancement the possibility of seeing over six figures. I didn?t believe him at first, but after doing some research and talking to a few people, one of which has a son and brother on the force, I found out he was right. I?m pretty much stuck in a rut and have absolutely no idea what I want to do. The only reason I?m still in school is because I have nothing else to do and I?ve always been told that that is the path I need to take.
My questions:
1. What?s it like being a cop? For those of you who are cops, especially ones in California, what made you want to be a cop?
2. What is the standard advancement like for an officer?
3. What is the typical first posting for a rookie out of the academy? I?ve been told you just get thrown into some of the worst neighborhoods walking the beat.
4. Anything you can tell me about being a cop? Or can anyone give me any ideas that done require any more schooling?
Cliffs:
1. Burnt out on school, need other alternatives.
2. Friend feels same way, wants me to join police department with him.
3. Want info about being a cop; pay, experience, just general info from officers.
4. Pretty much have no idea where I want to go.
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