How to Choose a Career Path?

[lovedance4ever]

The semester started this week, and it is going exceptionally well! I’m a criminal justice major, forensic science minor and this spring I have some pretty cool classes lined up, one of them being a bloodstain pattern analysis course - it’s very hands-on, as we will be measuring crime scenes, learning how to write police reports, etc.

I will be a senior in the fall and it all is becoming so real. Problem is, I am not quite sure what I want to do after graduation, and I know I need to come to the decision sooner rather than later.

My dream has always been to work for the FBI as a special agent in counterterrorism. But as of late, I have become interested in other areas of the CJ system. For instance, I am good at math and science, and am fascinated by the prospect of working for a federal agency in cryptography. Another option is training to become a latent print examiner, and moving down to Virginia (my ideal location) to work right after graduation. It doesn’t pay as well, but it is a good foot in the door for the FBI if that is the path I end up taking.

Finally, I have also considered going to medical school as soon as I graduate with my undergraduate degree, and becoming a medical examiner. But that’s up in the air, and I would also have to catch up on some science classes, as I would not have enough to even qualify for med school.

I’ve taken all police exams offered, as well as the NYS Corrections exam, on which I did quite well. So I am completely and utterly lost as to what I should do with my life!

Any ideas? How do you choose a career path? I know I want to be in CJ or forensics, but doing what? I’m not so sure.

I’d greatly appreciate some prayers, advice, opinions, etc. Thanks!

-Christa

 

[powerofk]

Honestly, the most important thing to do is pray - for God to lead you into the career that best uses your talents and allows Him to use you to spread the Gospel. In other words, as God what His will is and follow it.

Other than that, look and see what the openings are throughout the country (and possibly world) that you could use your degree in. Don’t fence yourself in, and allow the LORD to lead you. Use the interviews to interview the organization, and research the organization and the job description. When you receive a job offer, ask for some time, and pray to see if it is the place you need to go. And - if you are at a job for some time and feel uncomfortable, don’t be reluctant to send out feelers to see what else is out there.

 

[ClearWater]

The semester started this week, and it is going exceptionally well! I’m a criminal justice major, forensic science minor and this spring I have some pretty cool classes lined up, one of them being a bloodstain pattern analysis course - it’s very hands-on, as we will be measuring crime scenes, learning how to write police reports, etc.

I will be a senior in the fall and it all is becoming so real. Problem is, I am not quite sure what I want to do after graduation, and I know I need to come to the decision sooner rather than later.

My dream has always been to work for the FBI as a special agent in counterterrorism. But as of late, I have become interested in other areas of the CJ system. For instance, I am good at math and science, and am fascinated by the prospect of working for a federal agency in cryptography. Another option is training to become a latent print examiner, and moving down to Virginia (my ideal location) to work right after graduation. It doesn’t pay as well, but it is a good foot in the door for the FBI if that is the path I end up taking.

Finally, I have also considered going to medical school as soon as I graduate with my undergraduate degree, and becoming a medical examiner. But that’s up in the air, and I would also have to catch up on some science classes, as I would not have enough to even qualify for med school.

I’ve taken all police exams offered, as well as the NYS Corrections exam, on which I did quite well. So I am completely and utterly lost as to what I should do with my life!

Any ideas? How do you choose a career path? I know I want to be in CJ or forensics, but doing what? I’m not so sure.

I’d greatly appreciate some prayers, advice, opinions, etc. Thanks!

-Christa

Don’t universities/colleges have a department for people trying to decide on a major with questions? Can you get aptitude and interest testing, as well?

Can you get more information about the professions, talk to people who work in them, visit some of these places, ask these people more questions?

When in doubt, try to get more information.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blest is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

 

[oldgraymare2]

Hi lovedance4ever,

How exciting for you!

Could you meet with one of the career counselors at your school, and just see what they have to say? That is what I would do. They might have something in mind, that you didn’t think about.

Don’t forget about the Security field, either. There are many different types of careers in that area, too, if you wanted to consider that as an option.

I will say some prayers for you, for guidance. Good luck, no matter which area you pursue.

 

[ClearWater]

Can you go to the Career Counseling office?

In high school, one would go to the Guidance Counselor. In collge/university, the Career Counselor.

 

[thequietsinger]

The semester started this week, and it is going exceptionally well! I’m a criminal justice major, forensic science minor and this spring I have some pretty cool classes lined up, one of them being a bloodstain pattern analysis course - it’s very hands-on, as we will be measuring crime scenes, learning how to write police reports, etc.

I will be a senior in the fall and it all is becoming so real. Problem is, I am not quite sure what I want to do after graduation, and I know I need to come to the decision sooner rather than later.

My dream has always been to work for the FBI as a special agent in counterterrorism. But as of late, I have become interested in other areas of the CJ system. For instance, I am good at math and science, and am fascinated by the prospect of working for a federal agency in cryptography. Another option is training to become a latent print examiner, and moving down to Virginia (my ideal location) to work right after graduation. It doesn’t pay as well, but it is a good foot in the door for the FBI if that is the path I end up taking.

Finally, I have also considered going to medical school as soon as I graduate with my undergraduate degree, and becoming a medical examiner. But that’s up in the air, and I would also have to catch up on some science classes, as I would not have enough to even qualify for med school.

I’ve taken all police exams offered, as well as the NYS Corrections exam, on which I did quite well. So I am completely and utterly lost as to what I should do with my life!

Any ideas? How do you choose a career path? I know I want to be in CJ or forensics, but doing what? I’m not so sure.

I’d greatly appreciate some prayers, advice, opinions, etc. Thanks!

-Christa

Wow! That sounds so awesome! Congratulations on going to college and being so close to graduation! One thing I’m always told about is to call up the places where you might want to have your career, and see if you can do an internship for a few months. Some places even allow you to intern during college. Unfortunately, that’s the best advice I can give you right now, but I will be praying for you!

 

[Xantippe]

Based on your previous posts, I think I would steer you in the direction of the less physically demanding specialties, whichever those may be. It seems like you struggle quite a bit with your health and you have had serious injury before.

 

[jlc2k2]

Don’t fence yourself in, and allow the LORD to lead you.

I think this is pretty important. I have a bachelors degrees in English and Sociology and a masters in CJ and I ended up working for a bank in their fraud department. It’s definitely not what I had planned on doing but I love my job. Chances are you will find a more traditional CJ career path but if something comes along that seems like a career diversion, don’t immediately discount it.

Beyond that, apply at a variety of places and do it seriously. Read up on a variety of topics and see if any of them are particularly attractive.

Best of luck!

 

[His_helpmeet]

You may want to interview some professionals in the field as well. This can give you a more “realistic” understanding of exactly what they do. (I’m a nurse, and I can attest to the fact that medical dramas are not AT ALL what nursing looks like in real life - or medical care, for that matter! I’m sure it is similar with crime dramas.)

In my case, I had a rather interesting experience. When I was younger (about 9), I decided, based on what I believed God was telling me, that I was called to the religious life. I wanted to get a degree in English and creative writing, become a writer, and then become a missionary. When I was 16, my grandfather was diagnosed with and died of terminal lung cancer. He was cared for at home and died there. My father was diagnosed with cancer less than three months after his death - fortunately, he survived and has been in remission for almost 13 years. During this time, I was able to see the kind of care my grandfather received, and I heard about the care my father had received. This awakened a desire to become a nurse. I wanted to help people and to care for them, and I wanted the interpersonal relationships that I felt would be more meaningful for me as a nurse than a doctor. Today, I am a registered nurse. I have worked rural acute care, which includes medicine, surgery, rehab, low-risk obstetrics, pediatrics, emergency, and special care (think low-level intensive care - no ventilators, but I’ve cared for shock patients, cardiac patients, etc.). I have worked in outpost nursing stations, a public health unit, home care, long-term care, and hospice. Currently, I’m employed as a nursing instructor in a practical nurse program at a college - a job I LOVE. My work also brought my husband and me together, as we met online after I moved to a city only an hour’s drive away from him. I feel that all of this is a result of having told God when I was young (probably about 9) that He was in charge of my life, and I would do whatever He wanted. There have been some challenges, but I can honestly say it was all worth it You might ask St. Joseph, patron of working men of all kinds, to pray for you.

 

[Winter_Warlock_1]

Dancer,

There is an online web site (well a whole lot of them really) that have a personality type of test:

Jung Career Indicator – is the name.

Just answer a lot of questions and be honest and it will give you a description of your personality and also what type of jobs that you are best suited for. It also gives you a list of famous people with the same type of personality. I have taken it on several web sites – none should ask for personal information all questions are multiple choice.

For me I am an: INTJ. One of the fields that I would do well at – was an engineer – which I am .

May God grant to peace and happiness.