Any Criminology Majors (College People) or Law Enforcement Officials on here?

Red31 · #1 11-09-2011, 02:43 PM

I'm a freshman in college and about to finish up m first semester. Im starting to realize I hate my major lol. Im thinking of switching to a criminology major and was just wondering who here has that major or law enforcement experience that can offer me any advice? Like how difficult of a process it is or their opinions on the major or this career path. Thanks everyone!

TurdFX4 · #2 11-09-2011, 02:44 PM

Clinton and I believe FireRanger

Red31 · #3 11-09-2011, 02:49 PM

Thats cool, hopefully they'll chime in!

Tom · #4 11-09-2011, 03:17 PM

IMHO, go on a few ride alongs to get a feel for the LEO career. Its one of the few positions where you can get first hand experience as an outsider.

Hiring process varies by location but generally the idea is that a degree is a degree. Granted, a CJ degree will give you those extra talking points in an interview but it's not really important. What's more important is getting that relevant job experience, be a lifeguard, emt, etc. and you'll have a good step up.

Red31 · #5 11-09-2011, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom

IMHO, go on a few ride alongs to get a feel for the LEO career. Its one of the few positions where you can get first hand experience as an outsider.

Hiring process varies by location but generally the idea is that a degree is a degree. Granted, a CJ degree will give you those extra talking points in an interview but it's not really important. What's more important is getting that relevant job experience, be a lifeguard, emt, etc. and you'll have a good step up.

Yeah Im wanting to see if I KY Conservation Officers do ride alongs, because thats what Im most interested in doing, and have been debating joining the local volunteer fire department, but afraid I couldn't devote much time because of school.

MAC21XL · #6 11-09-2011, 03:26 PM

Im a sophomore student studying Criminal Justice. Trying to go on some ride alongs soon and i love it so far

Red31 · #7 11-09-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAC21XL

Im a sophomore student studying Criminal Justice. Trying to go on some ride alongs soon and i love it so far

So is it a really enjoyable and interesting major? Im an Environmental Science major currently and it's nothing like I expected. You know what kind of job youre wanting after you graduate?

matt224 · #8 11-09-2011, 03:43 PM

I am a Junior with a major in Criminal Justice. If you are just going for a LEO career, whether it be State or Municipal, the degree isn't worth any more than a regular old business degree. I already accomplished all the fun courses; such as Terrorism and Ideology, Law Enforcement Practices, Corrections, etc and now I have begun the mind-numbingly tedious crap I dislike; court procedures, criminological theory, research and development and all that. CJ might be better off as a mnior for those opting for a LEO spot. Even those who want to go into FBI or CIA, usually a Sociology degree is generally preffered as well as a language minor.

MAC21XL · #9 11-09-2011, 03:46 PM

I think its interesting and i like it alot. Im an env. sci. minor as well. Right now the plan is get into the police academy here in spokane after getting my CJ degree. after that i either want to work as a county sheriff or a park ranger. cant decide yet

Red31 · #10 11-09-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAC21XL

I think its interesting and i like it alot. Im an env. sci. minor as well. Right now the plan is get into the police academy here in spokane after getting my CJ degree. after that i either want to work as a county sheriff or a park ranger. cant decide yet

Sounds like we have about the same plans lol... A couple years ago they changed out Env. Science from a physical science to a biological science and Im basically taking general biology classes and its nothing like I expected... I may keep it as a minor too, just too look better on a resume. Conservation officer, park ranger, game warden, theyre all about the same lol

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Quote:

Originally Posted by matt224

I am a Junior with a major in Criminal Justice. If you are just going for a LEO career, whether it be State or Municipal, the degree isn't worth any more than a regular old business degree. I already accomplished all the fun courses; such as Terrorism and Ideology, Law Enforcement Practices, Corrections, etc and now I have begun the mind-numbingly tedious crap I dislike; court procedures, criminological theory, research and development and all that. CJ might be better off as a mnior for those opting for a LEO spot. Even those who want to go into FBI or CIA, usually a Sociology degree is generally preffered as well as a language minor.

Does that focus more on like the law and courts side, or the officer side like a criminology degree? I'll probably keep my env. science as a minor because I've already took and paid for the classes, and I'm really interested in becoming a conservation officer with the department of fish and wildlife. Thats why I was seeking the env. science degree to start with, but would've had more back-up career opportunities then a criminology degree. But its nothing like I expected and I think I would be better off switching to something I know I would have more interest in and would come more naturally to me.

MAC21XL · #11 11-09-2011, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red31

Sounds like we have about the same plans lol... A couple years ago they changed out Env. Science from a physical science to a biological science and Im basically taking general biology classes and its nothing like I expected... I may keep it as a minor too, just too look better on a resume. Conservation officer, park ranger, game warden, theyre all about the same lol

Yeah. I want to be out in nature doin law enforcement. What exactly is the description of a conservation officer?

Red31 · #12 11-09-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAC21XL

Yeah. I want to be out in nature doin law enforcement. What exactly is the description of a conservation officer?

They go out and do basic things like check hunting and fishing licenses, patrol lakes and national forests, handle things involving poachers and stuff. Help with search and rescue. Basically same as a game warden, just a different title lol

Mossberg · #13 11-09-2011, 04:07 PM

Have you ever considered joining the military reserves? Possibly coast guard? You will get financial aid for college along with a monthly salary. The service will also look great in career application ..just remember its a 6year minimum commitment for most branches.

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Red31 · #14 11-09-2011, 04:14 PM

If anyones interested, a small hunting and fishing show called Kentucky Afield did a 6 part special on Conservation Officers and they did a really good job of it, heres the videos if anyone wants to see what theyre all about and stuff.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by RangerEdge02

Have you ever considered joining the military reserves? Possibly coast guard? You will get financial aid for college along with a monthly salary. The service will also look great in career application ..just remember its a 6year minimum commitment for most branches.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did at one point, but I'm going to college for basically free, and I love nature and being outdoors which makes me interested in being a Conservation Officer, because I want to protect what I love most in life. If I have issues with being able to become that, I really want to help people locally, and in my area drugs are getting really bad and I hate seeing all the things that are happening to innocent people because someone else needs to get that next high. I really wanna make a difference and I don't feel like I could do that as much in the military, at least not on a local level. Not dogging the military though, I respect everyone thats joined and acknowledge their bravery, onna my best friends is in the National Guard.

RideontheEdge · #15 11-09-2011, 04:19 PM

That's what i applied for as my major and i'm still going towards it now, but i know a lot of officers and people trying to become officers here in California, and it is a PAIN right now. I don't know how it is on the East Coast, but apparently here there are more people than jobs, which i guess applies everywhere... anyway, it'd be more useful getting a degree in sociology or political science since they're more broad than just law enforcement. Like right now i'm at a community college, but i want to transfer and get an BA in Political Science with an emphasis on law enforcement. It's a good field dude, but be prepared for a bunch of work and time. And if you want some experience, do ride-a-longs, but also apply for cadet jobs at local departments or as campus safety. If you're a cadet, you have a way better chance of being put through the academy and being hired. I applied at a local place and got interviewed and they told me that they cut off the applications as soon as they had received 100 apps.. Same with the FD too. I almost crapped myself. Haha. Just my thoughts that have been told to me by my old man and friends.