From Wyoming back to CA

[youngNhopeful]

hey everybody I have a question...I am 18 years old and I want to start my career in law enforcement here in CA,but everyone says to stay in school and apply later...ok well heres my question..if I got a job as a corrections in wyoming(closest state that hires at 18) and work there for a couple years and get my AA at the same time,how would that look when I come back at 20-21 to get a job over here? I know that ill be competing against candidates with 4 year degrees or military experience.but would this show that I am comitted to pursuing a career in LE?

[SgtCHP]

Your chances of obtaining employment are always contingent on your successful completion in all aspects of the testing processes. Obviously, on paper, further education and work experience will tend to show an effort on your part to improve yourself and will make for a better candidate.

Good luck!

[SoCalSheriff]

You can work for most county corrections facilities at age 18 in California.

[youngNhopeful]

Your chances of obtaining employment are always contingent on your successful completion in all aspects of the testing processes. Obviously, on paper, further education and work experience will tend to show an effort on your part to improve yourself and will make for a better candidate.

Good luck!

Testing processes...as in?

So right now my options are to stay here in san diego and go to community college and get an AA and do SDPD Cadet program for experience...or move to Wyoming,work as a corrections officer and also get an AA in criminal justice...which would benefit me more in the long run in terms of getting a job here in CA in a few years?...im pretty sure it would be going to WY..but just wanna hear what some professionals have to say...
Thanks God Bless

[jgorto]

Chpsgt means a job depends on passing all of the phases of testing. I would stay in Ca. if I were you, I moved away and im now stuck in NJ until retirement.

[SgtCHP]

Testing processes...as in?

For example, here is some of the process for the CHP:

EXAMINATION INFORMATION:

The examination consists of a pass/fail written test, a pass/fail Physical Ability Test, and Qualifications Appraisal Panel interview weighted 100%.

In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, a
minimum rating of 70% must be attained. All competitors must subsequently pass a psychological evaluation, medical examination, and background investigation prior to appointment to the CHP Academy.

[youngNhopeful]

EXAMINATION INFORMATION:

The examination consists of a pass/fail written test, a pass/fail Physical Ability Test, and Qualifications Appraisal Panel interview weighted 100%.

In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, a
minimum rating of 70% must be attained. All competitors must subsequently pass a psychological evaluation, medical examination, and background investigation prior to appointment to the CHP Academy.

Oh ok well Im currently in the process with the san diego county sheriffs for detentions and I took th test on aug 19th and now im going to the background pre screen on the 7th...but everyone i talk to says ibasically have no shot at the job...

You can work for most county corrections facilities at age 18 in California

Well yea,but I mean with the economy the way it is Im sure they arent in the market for hiring 18 year olds fresh out of school with "no" life experience...on the other hand wyoming deparment of corrections is currently hiring and are even opening up a new corrections facility so thats why im thinking about it...

[Retired96]

If I was you I would move to Wyoming and never ever consider coming back to Calif.

[youngNhopeful]

If I was you I would move to Wyoming and never ever consider coming back to Calif.

Why is that?

[HPDPOSSIBLE]

I would think the job market in wyoming would similar to here in california. There would probably be a ton of applicants for what few LE jobs are available. I would stay here get experience with sdpd and then start applying for recruit positions when you feel you are ready. An AA degree is not going to make you as competitive as a BA would so definately go for that.

Good luck.

[youngNhopeful]

I would think the job market in wyoming would similar to here in california.

Yea I would think so but theyre actually opening a new facility and are currently hiring...

[Retired96]

Why is that?

I think your quality of life would be much better out of California, but then again your only 18 and haven't lived to see this state go down the toilet. If it wasn't for circumstances beyond my control I would have left when I retired in 1996.

[avalon42]

Going to another state to work corrections just so you can come back to California to work LE? I don't think that's a smart move. If anything, you are more likely to bump shoulders with LEOs here and get some rep going. Then when you are ready to make the transition to LE, you can. Granted, the transition from detentions to LE is one of the hardest.

In one of the hiring processes I've been to, a SDSO detentions deputy had to self-sponsor himself through an extended modular academy so he could have an RBC academy certificate. He had been working 5 years for the SO and could never make the transition to Deputy LE.

I'd go for the Police Cadet program if I were you. Times are tough and they are getting continually. I don't believe the news because I see the reports in the agency I work for currently.

[QRF]

I know that ill be competing against candidates with 4 year degrees or military experience.but would this show that I am comitted to pursuing a career in LE?

Ok, so why not just enlist in the military for a few years and then try getting hired. Unless you have serious issues, you should be able to get into the military.

[leif]

If I was you I would move to Wyoming and never ever consider coming back to Calif.

At 18?! The kid lives in San Diego and you'd encourage a move to Wyoming? From the male gender point of view that seems like bad advice.

Get your butt to school and get your BA/BS (NOT in criminology, think outside the box, econ, business mgt etc. I have mine in psychology), stay healthy, workout, enjoy being 18-21 in *San Diego,* then apply. Look into the cadet jobs in the mean time.

If you're of the opinion that California is a liberal cesspool and your daily life is miserable 24 hours a day, then leave. I like it here personally.

Edit, I don't know why but I just assume YnH is a dude, if not forgive my quasi sexist innuendos.