Posted: 9/4/2011 5:55:20 PM EDT
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So as some of you know I've been with the GBI the past few weeks as an intern. I've really enjoyed it, everyone seems to be very happy with what they due. Sure the pay isn't great, but that's not what doing the job is about, and I understand that. The job just seems interesting and fast paced.
I'm about to graduate at KSU with a degree in Information Security, which is a off shoot of an Information Technology degree. There are some elements of criminal justice in our degree, but only a few classes (Criminal Justice 101 and Cyber Crime). If I remember correctly a few guys here are in the law enforcement sector and I was wondering if I could get some advice about getting into the field. I'm not 100% sure what I want to do within LE, I'm trying to figure out that out with my internship, but as of now probablly something on the support side, like an analyst. Being a GBI SA would be great, but I'm not sure if I've got the chops for that yet, and I think I might need some more experience with the GBI first. I've been making some contacts with the GSP, APD, FCPD, and FBI during the past week. I've been slowly working at getting in shape (eating better, getting sodas out of my diet, etc) but I still need to get into a work out routine (I'm 6'2", 260lb). Right now my plan is just to go eyes wide open at my internship, get my feet wet in anything that they offer me, and figure out what exactly I want to do within LE. Also, building contacts, collecting business cards, following up with people, shaking hands, etc. Any other suggestions would be great. |
| I work on a task force with a lot of local, state, and federal agents and officers from all over metro Atlanta. If you ever want any contacts from a specific agency, let me know. My suggestion is to figure out what you are looking for (local officer, state investigator, federal investigator, intel analysis, etc...) and drop as many applications as you can. It takes forever to get hired these days and you cant start that process soon enough. This is especially true of federal employment. |
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I work on a task force with a lot of local, state, and federal agents and officers from all over metro Atlanta. If you ever want any contacts from a specific agency, let me know. My suggestion is to figure out what you are looking for (local officer, state investigator, federal investigator, intel analysis, etc...) and drop as many applications as you can. It takes forever to get hired these days and you cant start that process soon enough. This is especially true of federal employment. Thanks! I've been trying to sit in on a bunch of different meetings to see what all goes on that I could get involved with. I have heard hiring can take a while, even this internship I had to apply for all the way back in May. I'm actually interning with a task force type organization within the GBI, so I've had access to a lot of different agencies, but I'll keep it in mind. |
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well you sound like you are taking the right steps, but do not get discouraged. It is a long road and sometimes you have to do something you may not like to get where you want to be. When you do finally get a job remember it is a job and law enforcement is your career. Everything you do will be a stepping block and give you great experience. I say that because it is really hard to get those "good" jobs. You will more than likely have to start at the bottom of the pile on patrol. You have to realize here in GA a degree is appreciated but not really looked upon with any great value (more so outside metro atlanta). Most places that were paying you a little more because of your education are not right now because of the "economic down turn." Your idea of doing analyst work sounds really good. I know that Sandy Springs just had an opening for some kind of crime analyst person and the pay was around 60k. That is not too shabby but I am not sure if it was a certified position. One of the things you are going to run into is places saying you have no experience. There is only one way to get it and it will take you a few years for people to start looking at you like you know what you are doing. You are probably only going to find analyst jobs in larger departments because at smaller ones they let a 60 year old guy close to retirement (or someones wife) do it.
You would probably know more than me about if the GBI was hiring but I do not think they are. If you get a job with them you know what they do and that is only one part of LE. Just like troopers, it is a good job and some love it, but it is mostly one part of LE. To get the whole picture and get to play in a little bit of everything be a cop. The only problem is the pay sucks and the hours are worse. Remember here in GA LE is still pretty much a good ole boy system so keep shaking hands, getting business cards, and making contacts. There are federal jobs out there that do not require experience or certification. I think the FBI has a surveillance specialist job and an evidence clerk. Check USAjobs to see if there is anything that would be in line with your resume / education. |