best place to get a start for career path (college, military)

[batdavid90]

I am going to be a junior in college this spring and I do know what career path to take. However, I am trying to figure out the best place I should start out with criminal justice. The kinds of work I am looking at has to do with special positions like investigations, drug task force, or anything a special agent for a state or federal government branch can do. However most of the special positions require at least 3 years of professional experience. I know of some places where I could start such as Customs and Border Protection, police department, or sherriff's department. Anywhere else I could also start out after college besides those agencies for some experience? I know the military is also good, but I will say that I do not have any interest in joining. I'd like to stay a civilian and that isn't intended to offend anyone. I think anyone who serves is doing something great, but I don't believe that the military is for me.

[grimace8]

batdavid90, you've got the right mindset already. Career paths, in my humble opinion, should be broad/general in your 20's. But - around, say, age 27-30, it behooves you to investigate micro-paths that ultimately lead to a more "niche" job in a field you already like/love. This can help alot with job security. It can also help you stand out from others who might be your competition down the road, i.e., those who are complacent for years and end up looking like a dime-a-dozen on their resume.

So, the more "niche" of a path you can commit to, the better. This is especially true if you find you love doing a niche job most people "hate" doing. This can often translate into years of job security as you thank your lucky stars. The easiest advice I can give you is to get chummy with the co-workers or superiors who hold positions that pique your curiosity. I'm not saying you should be a wolf and eat them or "take over", I'm saying network with them, learn from them, get inspired, and so on.