Help me decide on a career

No college? You're young, you don't have to know what you want to do. I didn't truly decide until the summer before my 4th year of college. I was 21.

I went law enforcement. Local police. I love the work I do.

Pros:
- You get to help people on make a positive impact on their lives daily
- You talk to a ton of people and learn a lot about everything (thought processes, life stories, different careers, etc etc)
- The scenery out your "office" window changes every second
- You spend a ton of time outside and exploring (depending on the area you work)
- You develop strong bonds and friendships with your partners, so you end up working with some of your best friends
- Depending on your region, 3 day work week (aside from overtime/court). 3 straight days of 12.5 hours a day, then 4 days off. Some places do 4 10 hour days, still a long weekend. Can be GREAT for family time together. I've heard of some places still do 5 day weeks (8 hours days), but no where around here does.

Cons:
- People hate you (EDIT: while you're in uniform at least lol)
- Can be hard for family to adapt to you basically being gone 3 straight days (if 12.5 hour shifts)
- Some people try to fight you, or worse
-Some guys struggle to "turn it off," meaning they're always in "cop mode" (super alert, hyper aware, very serious even while off duty, instead of relaxing and being normal)


Overall, very little downside and I love the work. I chose my career based on the fact I wanted to make a difference for people. I've been lucky enough to save a few lives and otherwise protect people from physical harm, and its the greatest feeling there is.

 

Hey man just wanna let you know that youre not alone, Im in the same boat with you. Im a freshman at Texas A&M studying wildlife management and fisheries. Last year I was dead set on being a USMC Officer, applied for the 4 year contract and everything, but looking back (8 months later), Im glad I didnt get it. I got to A&M and decided I did not want to be in the military, then decided I wanted to be a cop and then a game warden and now I wanna work for the US Forest Service or something else in the conservation field. What Im getting at is that you will change your mind from time to time. If you dont want to go to a traditional college consider a trade school as a welder. I have a friend whose 5 years older than me who did that route, loves it and makes good money.

Just dont confine yourself to one thing too soon

 

Hey man just wanna let you know that youre not alone, Im in the same boat with you. Im a freshman at Texas A&M studying wildlife management and fisheries. Last year I was dead set on being a USMC Officer, applied for the 4 year contract and everything, but looking back (8 months later), Im glad I didnt get it. I got to A&M and decided I did not want to be in the military, then decided I wanted to be a cop and then a game warden and now I wanna work for the US Forest Service or something else in the conservation field. What Im getting at is that you will change your mind from time to time. If you dont want to go to a traditional college consider a trade school as a welder. I have a friend whose 5 years older than me who did that route, loves it and makes good money.

Just dont confine yourself to one thing too soon

 

Thanks guys, Im thinking about being a truck driver and decide if i want to do it, I will.

Im not so sure about being off land, I like land to much.

I'll look into firefighters and a cop, sounds interesting.

 

Land Surveying

 

My whole life I never wanted to leave home, I always wanted to live close to family. I needed a change in my life so I joined the Air force, probably the best desicion I've ever made. Now I don't wanna go home, it feels awsome being on my own and seeing new places. No matter what branch I highly recommend the service. And if your single with no kids? You'll have some fun

BTW I'm a Crew Chief for F35s

 

@GreeGunc How old are you? I am a truck driver. I've had my CDL for 10 years. Most states won't let you get your CDL until you are 21.

 

I'm 17 about to be 18, and yes Georgia is like what you mentioned, I can only drive in ga till 21. I at least want to see if I'll like driving period.

 

Well... I am single. I was thinking the air force over the Army.

 

I'm a firefighter. Best decision I ever made. The schedule is great, the people I work with are great, and the work we do is awesome. The pay and benefits are also good. I look forward to going to work every shift.

 

Kids?

 

I'm 17, still debating on that one. Don't know if I'll make it with out a girl for that long though....

 

I didnt say nothing about not being around girls . I just you'll have fun if your not married and no kids.

 

Your young and will have plenty of time to meet woman

 

Oh, I'm thinking of going air force till I'm 21 and either make my mind up on staying there or going for something else.

 

I made the mistake on joining so late, I joined at 20. I wish I wouldve joined right out of Highschool.

 

I went to school for aircraft parts design... In front of a computer, did great but it just wasn't for me. Sounded great on paper. I dropped out of that and went into aircraft maintenance which led me to a career in northern Canada based out of Yellowknife Northwest Territories as a helicopter mechanic. If you want outdoors you don't get much more outdoor than that . Tons of great experience. Spent about 6 years there now back home working for another helicopter company. Just don't let anyone steer you away from something you feel is right. Worked for me.

 

Land surveyor. Easy job, all outside. No hard work... Pay is around $12-15 an hour starting out... With a license in it (RLS is the state of GA) you could write your own ticket and make the big bucks.... (60k for a company or 100k+ running your own)

 

I work for a company that provides temporary power and cooling, and they are currently sending me to school at Oklahoma State (Go Pokes!) but ill come out making about 60k a year at 20 years old its not to bad ahah but if you would like to hear more about the company I work for message me and Ill give you more of a low down

 

Just retired from 40+ years in the outdoor sports world. Mountain Guide, pack and tent design, gear sales, gear manufacturing and finally owned a climbing/skiing shop which I sold to retire. Had no idea what I really wanted to do, or where to start at your age. Pursued an education in electrical engineering and film, invented some outdoor gear and fell into a livelihood/lifestyle business in the early 70's. No regrets. Learn as much as you can in areas that interest you and then work hard, the rest will follow.