Free Career and Job Search Advice

BlakeMatt · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:56 pm Post subject: Choosing college/career path

This may be long, I apologize but other forums haven't answered the question. Any advice is appreciated.

I'm 17 years old and going into my senior year at a Catholic school. I'm in the process currently of deciding what college major I wish to pursue, but I have come to what seems a cross-roads and was hoping someone could direct me in some ways.

For the longest time I have known I would choose the career path of Law, my family is full of cops, detectives, sheriffs and so on. It's in my blood also. What I would love more than anything is to some day in the future to obtain a Job as a Special Agent working in Missing & Kidnapped children with the FBI. I realize the requirements for this type of Job are extensive and that a four year degree is just the tip of the ice berg.

I had figured I would either take up a Major in Criminal Justice, or Human services. But there is an underlying issue that makes me unsure of which path is the most reasonable. If obtaining a Job in the FBI is unreasonable for me I would prefer to hold a job in Social Work.

The problem that lies with me is I am currently battling a disease called Ewing's Sarcoma, I was in remission once but am now battling again. Second remission isn't impossible but is a battle. My point being if I were to take up 4 years in Criminal Justice would the FBI even consider an application with the medical problems I have? I have no crystal ball to show me what the future holds or even if I will make it past college, but I still need to keep living and have my goals.

I do not want to pursue 4 years in criminal justice just to find out I cannot obtain the job I was aiming for. I would rather spend the 4 years going into Human Services and then advancing with that with more college for Social Work.

I'm sure this was confusing and long so I'll ask it simpler, will the FBI even consider an applicant that has major health issues or would it be better for me to just forget that goal and pursue Social Work?

Thank you for your time with this.

cv · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:16 pm Post subject:

Hi Blake,

I am not a medical expert nor will I try to be.

My opionion about this is to ask the FBI.
I think if you send a written letter asking about this is the best option.
However i urge you to consider that once you mention these things they are on file and will stay on file. I am not saying it is bad or a good thing but it will be there.

Here is the link I found for you : http://www.fbijobs.gov/fbidisability.asp

Would appreciate if you let us know, what was the FBI reply.

CV

Pauloz · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:50 pm Post subject:

Blake

You have two really good, interesting, options there, and my advice would be to start checking out both.

You need to be able to do some forward planning, with both, so scout out the dynamics for both.

Fortunately, you've picked areas where there are a lot of dedicated career people who will be able to give you firsthand, useful information at every stage of the process.

The major in Criminal Justice, for the record, does have other applications.

This link contains a few other options for you:

http://www.ashland.edu/cardev/documents/CriminalJustice_000.pdf

Don't know if these are exactly what you want, but as you can see, there's quite a range.

Good luck, and I hope you bury that damn disease.

lexa10881 · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:48 pm Post subject:

I will tell you that one of the most challenging yet rewarding careers out there is police work, and there is none better than the FBI or CIA. I have a relative whose husband is an FBI agent and I know she used to get very upset in the early stages of their marriage because he would often be away on assignment and could not talk about his work. After a time, she began to understand exactly how her husband's work affected the lives of other people and not just herself, and became okay with it. My fellow has talked about taking a similar career path, as he is very selfless and focused on how he can make a difference in this world....at first, I cried. Then, my mindset changed. It takes a special person with unusual abilities to even consider such a role, as it is very demanding. I think you could be one of those people.
If you choose FBI or even local law enforcement, I think you will find that you chose well.

I do not know about the health requirements associated with the FBI, but it might have something to do with field work versus administration, and which area you would be placed in as to what health requirements are what.

I was not familiar with your type of cancer, so I looked it up a little. You are a brave young individual; I will pray for you and I wish you the best. It is my hope that you can overcome this and go on to make a difference in our world, as this world needs bright young people like you to impact it! Please take care and persevere, and come back periodically to let me know how you are....god bless.

Lexa

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