So I’m exhausted with my current position/department and am in need of guidance for a job/career change. Although I would like to stay within the field of law enforcement, I am open to your suggestions. Please continue to read to better understand my situation. It’s a long post and might sound like a rant, but it’s more of a way for me to clear my head and ask for some objective opinions. For the last 4 years, 2 months and 21 days I have worked as a correctional officer for my local Sheriff’s Department. During the last 12 months I feel that I have succumbed to burnout.
When I first started my job, I was quite excited to be employed in law enforcement. My uniform seemed to glisten with hope and aspirations and my badge to shine with a desire to help and protect. I felt as though I had a purpose and that my professional future was what I made of it. Then as time wore on I realized that my uniform was more lint filled from inmate blankets and my badge more of a target of inmate disrespect. The field of corrections was never my ultimate career choice, but more of a stepping stone towards police work. (I am in no way trying to belittle the field of corrections, because it is a necessary field filled with some excellent officers.)
As time has ticked away, I have come to realize that my department has a very thick glass ceiling for the correctional bureau with zero hope to go to the road. Now in these tough economic times I am grateful to be employed, but appalled to go into work.
Now I accept responsibility for the majority of my feelings because we can either make the best of our jobs, or focus on the worst. Unfortunately I seem to be observing my glass as being half empty and I haven’t quite figured out how to change this.
Now what made me go from excitement to melancholy? Here are a few trouble spots I have identified:
Now for those who have read the entirety of my post, I want to sincerely thank you. This is where I am going to ask you for your help and guidance. What should I do about my burnout and current feelings? I feel that a job change would help immensely and I am currently in the process for Immigration Enforcement Agent, but would doing something other than corrections be beneficial to me? Am I feeling the way I am due to a lack of maturity in the professional work world? I realize that there are hundreds of people who wish they could have my job, but I just can’t seem to make myself content with my job anymore. I have heard/read many times that all departments have similar issues, but I just can’t fathom that they are all at the same level as my facility.
Thanks for your comments and suggestions!
When I first started my job, I was quite excited to be employed in law enforcement. My uniform seemed to glisten with hope and aspirations and my badge to shine with a desire to help and protect. I felt as though I had a purpose and that my professional future was what I made of it. Then as time wore on I realized that my uniform was more lint filled from inmate blankets and my badge more of a target of inmate disrespect. The field of corrections was never my ultimate career choice, but more of a stepping stone towards police work. (I am in no way trying to belittle the field of corrections, because it is a necessary field filled with some excellent officers.)
As time has ticked away, I have come to realize that my department has a very thick glass ceiling for the correctional bureau with zero hope to go to the road. Now in these tough economic times I am grateful to be employed, but appalled to go into work.
Now I accept responsibility for the majority of my feelings because we can either make the best of our jobs, or focus on the worst. Unfortunately I seem to be observing my glass as being half empty and I haven’t quite figured out how to change this.
Now what made me go from excitement to melancholy? Here are a few trouble spots I have identified:
- Administration:
- Command Staff:
- Co-Workers:
- Inmates:
- Lack of opportunity:
- Lack of Positivity:
Now for those who have read the entirety of my post, I want to sincerely thank you. This is where I am going to ask you for your help and guidance. What should I do about my burnout and current feelings? I feel that a job change would help immensely and I am currently in the process for Immigration Enforcement Agent, but would doing something other than corrections be beneficial to me? Am I feeling the way I am due to a lack of maturity in the professional work world? I realize that there are hundreds of people who wish they could have my job, but I just can’t seem to make myself content with my job anymore. I have heard/read many times that all departments have similar issues, but I just can’t fathom that they are all at the same level as my facility.
Thanks for your comments and suggestions!
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