What did you guys do before?

[italyn]

I was at my physical agility test on Thursday, and I talked to many of people, seems like most of them are in a career change. Some had jobs i though were interesting or at least an interesting switch of jobs. So what did some of you guys/gals do before you decided to pursue law enforcement?

So let me start. I worked for the worlds largest travel company up in Boston for about 4 years, I was doing network and web support. It was a job that you got paid great but you were on call 24/7 365, and you would be lucky to sleep strait for more then 2-3 hours. The only other plus is discount on traveling and taking vacation. I was getting 5 weeks paid vacation. But it was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Then I move to Florida and decided to enjoy life and I got into consulting for companies setting up networks, marketing plans and then I set my own hours, until I started up a mortgage company consulting, and I learned that business. Then I got into mortgages and real estate.
Now I am licensed in both working mostly with investors (finding properties to flip) or residential properties. Then doing mortgages and not charging people 5 points. For the last 2 years I wanted to go and become a LEO and I put myself in the position to be able to take time off for all testing and it worked out really good for me. (got married in the mist of all this)

So now I can still do the real-estate and the LEO career. With the RE/ mortgages being my bonus money, something I do not need to count on anymore. But I guess if anyone has and questions about the housing down here I could help you out. Give you a good idea of what houses are going for in areas of Broward, Dade and Palm Beach. Also I can make sure you do not get screwed on a mortgage. (I got screwed when I first moved down here before I did mortgages and learned about them.)

Funny where life takes you. Well that is my story,I would like to hear other stories!

[AMunoz2001]

I was in sales for about 4 years. I loved the interaction with others but disliked the traveling, the penny pinchers and the looking over my back to see who is going to stab me to pass me. I am an upfront honest person and my personality and values didn't mesh well with the sales environment.

I've thought about a career in LE when I was finishing college. I started to apply with FHP then a company threw a nice salary my way and I took it. Four years later I am starting to do what I wanted then.

[italyn]

So funny how you were in sales and were honest. It makes it sooo hard.. I lose all my mortgage deals because i am upfront and honest with people. I tell them what i am going to make and i let them know "shop me and you are just going to find the biggest liar". One of my clients went shopping to refi his property for $600,000. I was going to charge 1 point up front that is it and he did not want it.. Another company promised him everything and they were even going to pay for his appraisal up front! Well $30,000 later he came back to me and was asking me if there is anyway i could help him get the $30k back. Now he wanted to work with me. The whole mortgage deal was shady when he showed me the HUD they lied on his payoff from the back so that they got more money from the bank too, strait up FRAUD. Such a shady business you really need to watch out for, give some good people bad names.

[JTShooter]

Sure, I'll bite

Went to college for a year. The world changed. Joined the Army. Now I'm back and am trying to work my way into LEO.

[Malaru]

i worked for :the worlds largest retailer"... it sucked, as few as 16 hours a week- no hope for full time work. and fairly low pay. i went into dispatch work and love it- sureits not being on the road, which I hope comes soon- but I enjoy the new setting, being around the people, and the pay as well as a guaranteed 32 hours w/ as much over as i can get my hands on (one girl in dispatch did 60 hours overtime in one week)

and im a steady college student- 4-9 credit hours a year. right now ive just started a summer public speaking class

[skibum81]

After high school, I went to college and got my B.A. During that time, and about 1.5 years after that I bartended. I have no idea why I decided to do law enforcement. I think that it was because none of my friends were doing and I wanted to be different. Anways, here I am.

[tolafed]

Im working in the medical field now in physical therapy. I also do neuro muscular treatments in my home for private clients ( pain management). I can complain, I like what I do and the pay is good but my pasion is law enforcement. I always wanted to be a cop.

[ftlaudcop]

any butcher's, bakers, candle stick makers....

[mgaray9273]

I am a Chef trying to cross over into law enforcement.. Something ive always wanted to do.

[ryeclift]

before I was an LEO

Graduated high school, worked as a waiter and in security for a little while. I joined the Navy a year later as military police, did my time and received my discharge. Decided I wanted to move to FL and now im an LEO here.

[JonMcD1980]

I had a paper route at 14, mowed lawns at 16, worked at burger king for like 2 months then was a dishwasher at a local restaurant for 4 months then did nothing but tried to find factory work for 8 months. That didn't work out so i went in the Army for three years, got out stayed in the Guard for 2 years. Went to community college while in the Guard, and worked security at the comm college. Got Full Time at the college, they were granted Peace Officer Status, got sent to the Academy. Left the college shortly after the Academy for the Sheriff's Dept Court Security. Lateraled into my local PD and been loving it ever since!

Sorry, posted in a Florida Thread

[frostbiteCRA]

WOW, Very Interesting....

I work at a very large travel agency in NYC all thru High School. After I graduated High School I got offered a good job with them, but ended up signing up for the US Marines. I spent almost 10 years there as a grunt, but I've always wanted to be a police officer. Got out of the Marines and worked security for 11 months while waiting for one of the many departments that I was applying to to call me. FHP hired me first and here I am 5 years later and loving it...
I've been offered a few jobs within the security industry (sales of security contracts, etc.) but I am not so sure I'm ready to hang up the uniform just yet....
That is my story and I'm sticking to it...LOL.

[Bigg Dogg]

I was a male porn star before LE!!