I’m 25 years old. I have a degree in Accounting. I have three years of experience. At 18, I just chose the most “stable” career path. After graduating with honors, I worked for a prestigious company and then changed jobs to work as an auditor for the feds, and then, as a result of the government-wide restructuring, I lost my job.
Long story short, I talked to my girlfriend and her father about getting into law enforcement over dinner, and they told me that I would be too educated to be a LEO, which, tbh, I thought was a dumb and elitist thing for them to say.
My dad was a LEO and provided a great life for our family. We never had to worry about money, and we lived a comfortable life. I told him about my job being gone, and he told me that I should go into law enforcement, which is funny because I was already thinking that anyway. With three years of experience, I have never made more than 75k in a year. Furthermore, all of the jobs that I interviewed for have not been more than 75k. (*I live in a high-cost-of-living city).
I guess, the idea of being stuck behind some desk, doing boring accounting work, and not even being able to provide my future family with a decent living and stability seems insane to me. The financial sector is also littered with layoffs, and it is not as stable as it used to be.
Furthermore, I want to do something that can have a real-world impact. I want to do something where I can be physical again. I played football from the age of 7 to 18, and I miss being physical, and I miss the comradery associated with being a part of something bigger than myself. At 25, I feel like I’m at a point in my career where I can make a pivotal career change, where it wouldn’t change that much in my life. If I switch to LE, I would just move to a lower-cost-of-living city, where I would be getting paid the same, and I would also have comparable future pay progression. I also don’t have a family right now as well, and I am not married.
What my girlfriend said kind of fucked me up, and although I would rather us be together, this is something that I’d be willing to lose her to do. I have been thinking deeply about this for two months, and I’m now ready to pull the trigger.
Long story short, I’m looking for advice when it comes to applying for agencies, navigating people’s opinions when being a LEO, and any advice from people who might’ve made a similar career change in the past, and what they think about my girlfriend’s statements.
Thanks!
Comments
I don’t think you’re too educated. I’m educated as well and it’s benefitted me a lot. You also are setup for a transition to going federal or to detectives. Financial crimes are a big deal and a lot of guys don’t have the ability to handle them properly.
You have to look at the pros and cons… you will most likely not make the money as a cop as you were without a a crap ton of OT, as well as missing nearly EVERY holiday, birthday, etc etc… I would suggest finding a stable job doing what you know instead of having to relearn a new career where everyone more senior than you will eat you alive, as well as perps out in the street. It is a thoughtless, stressful career.
Short story shorter, ask your dad for the advice and get a new girlfriend.
FBI
Lots of police agencies require a degree anyway, especially if you ever want to promote or go into a role like investigations. No such thing as too much education. You’re young, it sounds like you wanna do it. Fuck what anyone else says. Go for it brother
There’s no such thing as being too educated, especially when it comes to a career in law enforcement. Being an LEO opens up so many opportunities. Do you enjoy making a difference? Helping others? Engaging with people? All while knowing you may have to put your life on the line if necessary?
LEOs can earn good money, and depending on the size of the agency, there’s room for promotions. But as the saying goes, “You get paid for what you HAVE to do, not for what you do.”
Maybe she’s just scared for you and doesn’t know how to express it. Being an LEO isn’t easy, and neither is being the spouse of one. Wishing you the best of luck!
Why would you not just go work for the FBI?
You might be having a quarter life crisis
just some brutally honest advice from a current LEO. who’s life are you living? yours? or your girlfriends and her family’s? at the end of the day, you have to do what makes YOU happy because its YOUR life. living a life inside of a box that someone else has made for you is the recipe for a disastrous, depressing and unfulfilling life; speaking from experience. (i tried to follow in the footsteps of my family who are all mostly in the medical field. after the 2nd year of college i had a mindset change and was like what the fuck am i doing this for and why? this is not the life i want for myself, this is what other people want for me and this is just me being greedy because i want to make a lot of money). i left college and started my career in law enforcement, 6 years ago at 20. best decision i’ve ever made, not many 26 years olds making 130k, feeling like they’ve yet to actually work a day in their career and feeling fulfilled every single day.
follow your passion. if she doesn’t support your career choice, unfortunately she is not the right woman for you. obviously, its a very difficult decision, but its necessary for your own peace of mind and wellbeing.
You’re not too educated.
But look at the skills you have. FBI, DEA, and plenty of other agencies would be ecstatic to have an accountant. Money is complex. Money laundering is complex. Blockchain stuff is complex. If your courtroom demeanor us good, you can be a Detective or special agent for life.
Decide what you like. Look at your ability to do it long term. You can always hop agencies, but look at the pensions and how that affects your retired standard of living. If you have the bug, go for it. Read an article receipt that cops are the largest growing segment of millionaires in the US. The math works, and you understand math.
I can tell you that in my dept we have a former circus performer on cruise ships, a psychologist, many ex military (obviously), a former high school teacher, a former nurse, and even (I kid you not) a former investment/finance guy. So good cops come from all sorts of backgrounds. I don’t see this as an obstacle.
Chase all your dreams. Partners who don’t support your dreams can be replaced. Get to the academy!
Do what you wanna do bro. You won’t be the first or last LEO to have degrees that they don’t use. Hang the diplomas on the wall and go after what you really want, they’ll always be there if you change your mind.
Lots of places require a degree to get hired they consider it factor that makes candidates more well rounded. No you are not “too educated.” You’re accounting degree may line you up nicely for a financial crimes gig as a detective at a PD or prosecutor’s office. Best of luck.
I’m learning about the connections between Fentanyl, Real Estate, Casino money laundering, political donations and the manipulation of diaspora communities. Forensic accounting would be at the top of my list of needed skills in terms of helping your country if you live in the West.
A lot of people without any first hand experience with LE friends/family members tend to latch onto the one supreme court case where an agency used someone’s PHD as a reason not to hire them. The agency didn’t think that candidate was going to stay and it would be a waste of resources to train someone who would be unlikely to stay for a long period of time.
Having a bachelor’s degree today isn’t as impressive as it once was sadly. There are plenty of agencies that are either requiring one or it’s someone they prefer. Experience in a field such as accounting will be a huge benefit as others have pointed out because financial crimes and other white collar crimes are usually harder for a more stereotypical cop.
One thing is the earlier you start a career like LE the better imo because of seniority and PERS considerations. Not to say you can’t join the force at 30 or later (oldest I’ve seen in an academy was 50) it just means you have a higher chance of also retiring at an earlier age and you can still (if you want to) work a different career afterwards using more your mind than your body.
Main thing is it’s your life, do what brings you personal fulfillment and if helping the community does that please join up!