Applying at San Diego Sheriff's Department...Need help

[youngNhopeful]

-Ok so here are my questions. I am 18 years old and have applied at the SDSD for the detentions position.What are my chances of getting hired?
-I took the written test almost a month ago and I did pretty good and I have already been invited to the background pre-screen.Is that good?how long does it usually take to get to this stage of the hiring process?
-All I have heard is that if you are young you better have alot of life experience. I know that I am only 18 but I am very mature and have gone through and experienced many things in life.Is there a point in the app.process where theyll let me explain that (i.e.the interview)or are they gonna look at my age and say why should we hire an 18 year old in a down economy?
-All ive ever wanted to do since around the age of 12 if have a career in law enforcement.I think it shows maturity in itself that at this point in my life I am trying to get started on my career instead of being out and partying all the time and wasting the next couple of years.
-Heres a list of my qualities of why I think that even though I am only 18 i can compete for this job.(I can go more into detail later if needed)

*I am VERY mature for my age.
*I have ALOT of life experience,more than most people.
*I am tri-lingual(English,Spanish and French).
*I had a 3.3 GPA in high school and was an honor roll student.
*I was also a three sport varsity athlete(Football,Lacrosse and Track & Field)
-I am 6'1" 225 lbs and athletic.
*I am 100% commited to pursuing a career in law enforcement.
*I am almost already half-ways toward getting my associates degree in Administration of Justice(24 units)
*etc.

-I have always been told that "oh you need to go become an engineer or an architect,cuz youre smart and they make alot of money..." Well I have learned,from the way I was raised,that you dont need to make alot of money to be happy in life as long as you are doing what you love and are a good person in the eyes of God.
-I got into a couple good colleges(Cornell university,Texas Christian...) and even got a few offers to play football out in the mid-west...but I felt and now know that staying here was a good decision.
-Ok so my point being that I want to get actual law enforcement experience(not CSO or cadet kinda thing) while at the same time getting my AA so that by the time im 20-22 years old ill be alot more qualified than most other applicants to careers such as sheriff's/patrol or CHP or SDPD.I mean ive even applied to the Wyoming state corrections department since they hire at 18 too.lol thats how much I wanna get started in this field.

Ok sorry its really long but i do appreciate any feedback or suggestions.Thank you and God bless

[ExSDSO]

Truthfully....18 is young....and to get hired on with the very first department you apply with is like a shot in the dark. Remember who you are competing with....prior military careers...college grads...prior law enforcement....older people in general with more life experience than yourself....

If you make it to the LT interview...that may be a chance to sell yourself, but you better know how to sell ice to an Eskimo; because they're going to want to hear what an 18yr old can offer to the department.

They look at your past work experience as well. I suggest keep going to school...finish or further your education...and the Military is always an option.

Good luck and stay focused bro.

[youngNhopeful]

ok thanks...oh and what is the background investigstion like?and what do you do in the pre-screen?and is the interview a one-on-one or is it in front of a panel?
Thanks

[Mabbottusmc]

I don't feel detentions is law enforcement. It's great as a stepping step to LE but I wouldn't be happy there. 18 is young to be hired. They look for life experience. Why not go to school or join the military and apply?

The interview is with a SGT. Takes about 15 minutes. The background takes awhile and I think is the longest part. The pre-screen looks for criminal past and stuff. You answer a few questions. If you answer yes to any your done.

[youngNhopeful]

oh ok cool thanks...well I am currently going to school.but i was thinking of(if hired) to continue going part time and finish up my degree...and what is meant by life experience?...work?school? If not that then I feel that I have more life and real world experience than most 18 year olds or older

[SHU]

-Ok so here are my questions. I am 18 years old and have applied at the SDSD for the detentions position.What are my chances of getting hired?
-I took the written test almost a month ago and I did pretty good and I have already been invited to the background pre-screen.Is that good?how long does it usually take to get to this stage of the hiring process?
-All I have heard is that if you are young you better have alot of life experience. I know that I am only 18 but I am very mature and have gone through and experienced many things in life.Is there a point in the app.process where theyll let me explain that (i.e.the interview)or are they gonna look at my age and say why should we hire an 18 year old in a down economy?
-All ive ever wanted to do since around the age of 12 if have a career in law enforcement.I think it shows maturity in itself that at this point in my life I am trying to get started on my career instead of being out and partying all the time and wasting the next couple of years.
-Heres a list of my qualities of why I think that even though I am only 18 i can compete for this job.(I can go more into detail later if needed)

*I am VERY mature for my age.
*I have ALOT of life experience,more than most people.
*I am tri-lingual(English,Spanish and French).
*I had a 3.3 GPA in high school and was an honor roll student.
*I was also a three sport varsity athlete(Football,Lacrosse and Track & Field)
-I am 6'1" 225 lbs and athletic.
*I am 100% commited to pursuing a career in law enforcement.
*I am almost already half-ways toward getting my associates degree in Administration of Justice(24 units)
*etc.

-I have always been told that "oh you need to go become an engineer or an architect,cuz youre smart and they make alot of money..." Well I have learned,from the way I was raised,that you dont need to make alot of money to be happy in life as long as you are doing what you love and are a good person in the eyes of God.
-I got into a couple good colleges(Cornell university,Texas Christian...) and even got a few offers to play football out in the mid-west...but I felt and now know that staying here was a good decision.
-Ok so my point being that I want to get actual law enforcement experience(not CSO or cadet kinda thing) while at the same time getting my AA so that by the time im 20-22 years old ill be alot more qualified than most other applicants to careers such as sheriff's/patrol or CHP or SDPD.I mean ive even applied to the Wyoming state corrections department since they hire at 18 too.lol thats how much I wanna get started in this field.

Ok sorry its really long but i do appreciate any feedback or suggestions.Thank you and God bless

Horrible economy right now for people who are very, qualified. You have zero life experience at this point. Go to college. Trust me on this. The job will still be there when your done and a degree gives you more options in life. And as you get older options are a very nice thing. The job will still be there when you get out and you will be in a much better position to get it and many others if you so choose. Go to school and do a law enforcement internship with the US Marshal Service or something similar. Trust me on this partner. Good Luck.

[youngNhopeful]

Ok thanks.thats what im doing....what about if I am able to land a job with the Wyoming Dept. of corrections and at the same time get my AA..would that help me all with a job back in CA

[youngNhopeful]

More than most people, or more than most people your age? Also, why do you think you are "VERY mature" and what is this "ALOT of life experience" you have?

Well I meant most in my age group...um well its alot to go into detail but as far as maturity I have always acted more mature than friends and people my age..also the fact that im looking to get started on my career at this stage in my life instead of most people my age that are just doing nothing with their lives or just partying and doing stupid stuff that most teens do...as far as life experience,I have had to grow up faster than most kids..ive grown up in southeast san diego so ive been exposed to the real world more than other teens who grow up in more sheltered communities...I also lived in mexico for a couple years(5th grade & 6th grade) and I learned alot from that...also my dad was a drug addict and alcoholic so I had to deal with all that crap and he OD'd when i was 13...i dont theres more but those are the basics..but Ive never tried to use anything as an excuse just because i grew up "on the wrong side of the tracks" nor I have I ever let my environment affect me in a negative way. So i dont know if that qualifies me as more mature and experienced than most others around my age group.

[youngNhopeful]

Why not go to school or join the military and apply?

Ok so would joining the coast guard be good...and get a degree while serving?cuz ive heard they do alot of law enforcement

[FJDave]

Military law enforcement is NOTHING like civilian LE....I know, I do both. But the military will get you recognized, get you points, and show that you have matured and can follow orders. It will also get your college bills taken care of.

[L-1]

youngNhopeful

Here is a question that will probably come up on your oral panel and given your young age, you need to have a really good answer for it.

So, start thinking about it now, make a list of things that will impress folks who are in their 50s and have it memorized for the moment that qustion is asked.

Tell us about your life experience?

[EricDel]

Why are you trying to grow up so fast, you got the rest of your life to work. Go to college or join the military and learn more about yourself and life, police work will always be around. Enjoy your late teen-early 20s years, they only come around once.

[e36geoff]

Well I meant most in my age group...um well its alot to go into detail but as far as maturity I have always acted more mature than friends and people my age..also the fact that im looking to get started on my career at this stage in my life instead of most people my age that are just doing nothing with their lives or just partying and doing stupid stuff that most teens do...as far as life experience,I have had to grow up faster than most kids..ive grown up in southeast san diego so ive been exposed to the real world more than other teens who grow up in more sheltered communities...I also lived in mexico for a couple years(5th grade & 6th grade) and I learned alot from that...also my dad was a drug addict and alcoholic so I had to deal with all that crap and he OD'd when i was 13...i dont theres more but those are the basics..but Ive never tried to use anything as an excuse just because i grew up "on the wrong side of the tracks" nor I have I ever let my environment affect me in a negative way. So i dont know if that qualifies me as more mature and experienced than most others around my age group.

Growing up in a rough neighborhood and being around drug addicts is not what agencies mean by "life experience." That can be part of your motivation to become a peace officer, but it is not necessarily a qualifying factor. Agencies are looking for candidates that have broken away from their parents, worked various jobs, gone to college (graduated with a degree), served in the military and so on.

Right now you will be competing with people who have worked several years if not decades out in the world. They possess bachelors degrees, masters degrees, military experience and more. You have a good foundation, but right now it is VERY competitive. SDPD just froze hiring so it is likely the candidates interested in that agency will apply to the Sheriff's Department instead.

They want candidates who have tried at life and have failed at some point, you just haven't been out in the world enough to have that opportunity. This is why 95% of agencies hire at 21+ and even most of those hire very, very few 21 year olds.

Sign up for a written test and see what happens, the worst thing that can happen is that you fail and try again down the road.

L-1 said it perfectly, you'd better have one hell of a statement about your life. Have you had to juggle work/school/financial/family responsibilities at that age? Honestly you may be in for a rude awakening at your oral board, everyone was 18 at one time and thought they knew it all, I know I did.

P.S. an English refresher course might be beneficial for you. That "paragraph" did not have a single period until the very end.

[youngNhopeful]

Sign up for a written test and see what happens, the worst thing that can happen is that you fail and try again down the road

yea I already took the test and i guess i did alright because 3 weeks later they invited me to the background pre-screen so im still gonna give it a shot no matter what.

P.S. an English refresher course might be beneficial for you. That "paragraph" did not have a single period until the very end

haha I didnt realize i had to use proper punctuation when posting

[e36geoff]

Well, it looks like you've got it all figured out.

I've never heard of a BI or Sgt. asking if you frequent any message boards and if so what they are and what your screen name is... You never know who is watching.

Good luck to you.