Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My ultimate goal is to go into probation, but the department is not hiring right now.
I am wondering if that doesn't work out, does a BA help me get a job as a firefighter/fire medic or as a police officer? Would a BA help in advancement or help get me a pay increase?
Yes a bachelors will allow you to start on a higher pay scale. However, I doubt that it will help you land a job. I know firefighters and policeman that only got the job because someone they new recommended them for the position when a position opened. You have to know people already in those positions.
If you can get a bachelors WITHOUT GOING INTO DEBT then go for it.
Yes a bachelors will allow you to start on a higher pay scale. However, I doubt that it will help you land a job. I know firefighters and policeman that only got the job because someone they new recommended them for the position when a position opened. You have to know people already in those positions.
If you can get a bachelors WITHOUT GOING INTO DEBT then go for it.
i already got the bachelors. i might as well look into going into the police academy or firefighter academy and see what happens then right?
My ultimate goal is to go into probation, but the department is not hiring right now.
I am wondering if that doesn't work out, does a BA help me get a job as a firefighter/fire medic or as a police officer? Would a BA help in advancement or help get me a pay increase?
Thanks
For Firefighters it doesn't really help. That field is extremely competitive in my state (FL). However, a BA helps to get you hired in some police departments because they have made that a minimum requirement. Because of this many people are excluded from even applying for those departments. Therefore, you are competing with less people for the position. Also, almost all departments give you a pay raise for having a BA but its laughbly small. Its anywhere from $500-1000 a year extra for having a BA.
Most departments are civil service positions, so you need to score very well on the written test in order to move on in the process.
Very fe depts require a bach degree. Some departments require two years of college (and I believe the state of MN requires two years of college across the board). While some depts don't require college, they may factor it into their hiring decision.
For Firefighters it doesn't really help. That field is extremely competitive in my state (FL). However, a BA helps to get you hired in some police departments because they have made that a minimum requirement. Because of this many people are excluded from even applying for those departments. Therefore, you are competing with less people for the position. Also, almost all departments give you a pay raise for having a BA but its laughbly small. Its anywhere from $500-1000 a year extra for having a BA.
That is contrary to my experience. I believe the bonus thing is fairly regional. In my experience, almost no depts give a bonus and, for the ones that do, the bonus is fairly substantial.
Yes a bachelors will allow you to start on a higher pay scale. However, I doubt that it will help you land a job. I know firefighters and policeman that only got the job because someone they new recommended them for the position when a position opened. You have to know people already in those positions.
If you can get a bachelors WITHOUT GOING INTO DEBT then go for it.
That might be true for small non civil service agency positions. For civil service agencies, you must test -- and test well -- almost no one has a hook going into the process.
Yes, it definitely helps. Many times there is additional incentive pay for degrees. It will also help tremendously for promotions.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
