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Main Page What Will The Chief Say?
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: CJGIRL

What does it really take?

Will a department not choose someone because of the MA/BS program they attended, or because of which academy they went through? I'm currently enrolled in an EMT-B program, and I'm applying to Anna Maria for a Masters but am nervous about taking steps forward that will get me nowhere. Is there a "map" out there with directions that always lead to employment?

Posted by: csauce777

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJGIRL

Is there a "map" out there with directions that always lead to employment?

Yep...it also leads to Florida

Posted by: CJGIRL

Oh aren't you cute

.. So do I need a course in sarcasm or is that an on-the-job training componant?

Posted by: Dr.Magoo

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJGIRL

Oh aren't you cute

.. So do I need a course in sarcasm or is that an on-the-job training componant?

It will come with time.

Seriously, do anything and everything positive that will set you apart from the other candidate. Most importantly, stay out of trouble. Don't give them a reason to by-pass you. Good Luck.

Posted by: CJGIRL

Thank you.. I guess everyone gets there if they want it enough!

Posted by: 5-0

Dear,

[ ] Unregistered
[ ] Forum Troll
[ ] Person who is angry at police
[ ] Masscops member who is annoying
[X ] Person who wants to be a cop someday
[ ] Person who got a speeding ticket

We at Masscops.com have heard your

[ X] Question
[ ] Complaint
[X ] Bitching
[X ] Problem
[ ] Story

and frankly, we:

[ x] Want to help
[ ] Don't care
[ ] Have heard it all before
[ ] Think it's pretty funny
[ x] Are going to reply sarcastically in some manner

I hope that this reply

[ x] Helps
[ ] Irritates you in some fashion
[ ] Made you 'lol'
[ x] Made you feel all warm and fuzzy... We have a community policing philosophy here.

In the future, feel free to:

[ ] Never come back.
[ ] Post on your main account
[ ] Learn to spell and punctuate
[ ] Register a real account, and chat with us some more sometime
[ ] STFU
[x ] Learn how to search

Thanks!
-Your Masscops community

Posted by: CJGIRL

I am
[ ] Flattered
[X] In Awe
[ ] Turned On
[ ] Freaked Out

By your incredibly
[ ] Useless
[ ] In Depth
[X] Amusing
[X] Sarcastic

Response. You are definitely a good candidate for
[X] Psychiatric Evaluation
[ ] More Overtime
[ ] A Dispatch Position
[ ] Ridicule

If I need better advice concerning my future, I will be sure to
[ ] Ask my grandmother
[X] Read it on the bathroom wall
[ ] Find You
[ ] Die Ignorant

hahaa.....

Posted by: kojack1

Nice!!

Posted by: Crvtte65

She learns quickly!!

I like the bathroom wall part the best...

Posted by: sdb29

Well, what do ya think? My vote is she can stay.

To try to answer- It doesn't matter which school you go to. Chances are a lot of the appointing authorities have been to Anna Maria, Western New England,or any of the state schools. You aren't going to find many Ivy League grads in this business. (yeah I know. There's at least one of you out there. Answer up quickly so we can get it out of the way) The fact that you've graduated from any degree program will probably help and certainly won't hurt. You'll want you major to be CJ, You might want to consider law school instead of a masters in CJ. If it turns out you don't get hired here in MA then at least you'll be marketable elsewhere, and some chiefs are impressed by law degrees.
EMT-It depends on where you're applying. A smaller town might like it- mine could care less and wouldn't look twice at that.
You want to develop a good work history in your previous jobs, maybe a progressive level of responsiblity in your job or jobs.
Like Dr. Magoo said, keep your nose clean- in all senses of the word. be patient. Some people wait forever trying to get on in MA. After a few years of trying Florida might not look so bad.

Posted by: Sgt K

I vote we keep her! She appears to have talent and knows how to spell!

Posted by: KozmoKramer

WOW!!! Great comeback from the noob!!!
Excellent CJGirl...

And you did it without 1 "f-you", a "go f-yourself", or "drop dead a-hole..." Very, very nice...

Posted by: CJGIRL

THANKS

You guys are a tough crowd - I'll do my best to keep up.
I appreciate the advice on schools. I'm looking forward to getting some momentum going!

Posted by: 5-0

Seeing that you took the time to copy the format. I approve of your post.

Anyhow, here is my 2c. Bear in mind that it was a 4 year road for me in Massachusetts, and I know people that struggled for 9+ years to get on. I had to get my foot in the door with Campus Police, and you may find the same thing works for you. Your degree won't hurt you, and I believe that stuff other than CJ is going to be appreciated more in the next 5-10 years: ie. Psych, Sociology, Human Services, etc...

Get a local Chief to sponsor you to the R/I academy. It won't really set you apart from everyone, but it's almost a necessity if you want to nab part time employment in a small town (Which you should do ASAP). Take any and ALL tests. Even if you don't want the job, I think it's important to get comfortable with the process. Plus, the more tests you take, the more opportunity you have to practice Oral Boards. I found it much easier to practice a board when I wasn't interested in the job anyhow. Get your LTC. Move to a Civil Service community soon, and get residence status before then next exam. I stand by my comment that you need to learn to search though... There is a ton of stuff on this site, and I wouldn't have gotten in without their help. Specifically kttref, and Kozmo.

Posted by: SargeLorenzo

Wow, and not one mention of: "Join the military(National Guard, Reserve)!!!" Vet status puts you ahead of many, many people.

And get residency in a town that hires more than 1 cop every 5 years.

Posted by: Delta784

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJGIRL

I am
[ ] Flattered
[X] In Awe
[ ] Turned On
[ ] Freaked Out

By your incredibly
[ ] Useless
[ ] In Depth
[X] Amusing
[X] Sarcastic

Response. You are definitely a good candidate for
[X] Psychiatric Evaluation
[ ] More Overtime
[ ] A Dispatch Position
[ ] Ridicule

If I need better advice concerning my future, I will be sure to
[ ] Ask my grandmother
[X] Read it on the bathroom wall
[ ] Find You
[ ] Die Ignorant

hahaa.....

You're going to fit-in just fine here!

Posted by: CJGIRL

YIKES!
Its amazing how many road blocks they put in front of someone who wants to commit themselves to keeping this country safe, and yet its so easy to be a scumbag..

Great advice thank you! I can tell already that you are all going to be a great resource, and I'm addicted to reading all the different forum posts.. I live in a VERY small town and might have more luck in surrounding towns. I've never been a quitter - my profile won't say recruit forever... it won't say Florida either!

Study, Exercise, Apply, Repeat. . . Study, Exercise, Apply, Repeat. . .

Posted by: kttref

Honestly, your best bet...move out of state. I'm from CT and I saw my husband struggle in MA for 6 years before he finally moved to CT too. Granted, you're a girl, you have a better chance then some of the guys - no matter what they say.

Go luck. And it's good to see you're getting the sarcasm. If you didn't - you'd be SOL with getting advice.

Posted by: csauce777

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJGIRL

Oh aren't you cute

.. So do I need a course in sarcasm or is that an on-the-job training componant?

In the time it took me to respond, it appears that you have gathered that the sarcastic comments are frequent on this forum. They arent generally meant to be hurtful, but simply wise ass responses. Embrace them, and return them liberally, as you have. Carry on.

Posted by: Edmizer1

Get out of state as fast as you can. I waited until 33 to get a job in MA and regret not going out of state. The extra time to retire will hurt in the end. Even RI or CT are 100 times easier to get hired in. CT also pays police very well. No matter how good of a candidate you are in Mass, most of it doesn't really matter in our state. You will watch idiots who could care less about being a cop fall into the jobs because of Civil Service Preferences and politics. You may luck out early but you are better off moving if you really want the job.

Posted by: CJGIRL

Going out of state seems to be the consensus of all... I talked to some of the people in my EMT program who said the same. The civil service thing reminds me of "No Child Left Behind" and "affirmative action". I for one can say that I'd want to know I made it because I should have, and not because I'm a girl. There's no pride in that!

Posted by: Irish Wampanoag

There is always the last option

Sleep with the Chief!!!!!!

Posted by: CJGIRL

From what I've seen, by the time a guy gets to chief their cruiser turned into an SUV, their nightstick's bent and their gun's shootin' blanks...

Posted by: CJIS

wow

Posted by: Rock

The best advice you've recieved so far is to take any and all tests available even if you don't want the job. You're better off being able to say no thanks than not having any option at all. Also, as stated, it's great practice for testing and interviewing. The out of state thing wasn't my thing. If it didn't happen here it wasn't going to happen. Good luck if that is an option for you. The last and best advise I can give you is DON'T GIVE UP! I just spoke to a guy on a local department who just got on a year ago and he's 47 years young. Hopefully you don't have to wait that long but it's a great example of "stick-to-it-iveness".
Best of luck.

Posted by: girlcop21

dang, this girl has got some spunk... a bit more that some of the jaded old-timers I've had to deal with in my 6 years!

My advice if you don't want to move out of state; look for and apply for any and every job that will get you one step closer to where you want to be. Also, go to any training that is offered to you. Look for the small town, non -civil service departments as well as state jobs as a way in. Education can mean a lot, and you may want to consider some type of federal job as well.

Good luck.

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