Careers after highschool?

BassPlayer95 · #1 01-19-2013, 10:04 AM

Hey guys, I'm currently in my junior year of highschool and we're registering for classes next week. It'll be my senior year so I'm really excited. I'm going to take some easier classes but for the most part, it'll be business as usual. One thing I am planning on taking is a Criminal Justice class, that the school offers where you go to a different school and learn specifically about Criminal Justice. All my life I've assumed that I would work a 9-5 job. In fact my high-functioning autism self probably requires that, but lately I've wanted something more. I don't want my disability to hold me back, however having autism will make anything other than a 9-5 job probably an uphill battle. I'm the type of person that requires routine. It's how I'm wired. But I want to get out of my comfort zone, and try something new. That's why I wanna take this class. I was wondering if any of you have any experience in law enforcment like being a cop or something like that? It's something I'm considering. I know every state has different laws, but what are the general requirements? What are good qualities to have?

Indiana Mike · #2 01-19-2013, 11:17 AM

My father was a policeman for 38 years .

He was a detective ,homicide detective and admin for most of those years.

He would get called and sometimes I wouldn't see him for days .

That was the homicide detective .

The regular detective and admin job was pretty much a day job and was 9-5 with weekends off .

that was my experience as a child growing up and until I was 30 or so,watching it from the outside first hand.

SoonerMatt · #3 01-19-2013, 01:36 PM

You may want to look at the job requirements for the departments you want to work at. Some will take you with a HS diploma or GED, others want you to have a 2 year degree. If you want to be a detective or higher up you'll need a 4 year degree. Criminology, psychology, sociology, poli sci, etc. would all be beneficial for this career path.

Indiana Mike · #4 01-19-2013, 02:07 PM

+1 my father has a masters in criminology. That's what got him out of a patrol car.

i_got_a_mohawk · #5 01-19-2013, 02:08 PM

Any interest in the sciences? There's certainly a number of students, researchers and lecturers in my department who are high functioning (aspergers).

BassPlayer95 · #6 01-19-2013, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Any interest in the sciences? There's certainly a number of students, researchers and lecturers in my department who are high functioning (aspergers).

No way, lol! Science is by far my worst subject, along with math. Not very common with Aspergers, so it's weird.

1958Bassman · #7 01-19-2013, 07:33 PM

Do you perform better in math and science when you have an application to work with, instead of just abstract topics? I sucked at Algebra but Geometry, Trig, Analytical Geometry and the courses that used some of the advanced math were a lot easier because I knew what we were trying to analyze.

notchuck · #8 01-19-2013, 10:26 PM

After high school, i did college, and now i have a meaningless piece of paper (b.a. Social work).

I'd look at trade schools that have direct career tracks. 2 year programs are often better for more immediate job prospects.

Think of where your skills are, talk to parents and you're friends parents about thirty careers, they'll be happy to help more than likely.

The things my ex gf (autism spectrum) asks about jobs are how much "common sense"is involved, what kind of interactions with people occur and how often with what duration, is there a definitive list of tasks that need done....etc

Depending on what your skills are (reading, writing, working with hands, etc) then there are different jobs to look at.
Also, you'll find online the O*net skills assessment, our it might be on a computer at your school. It can give you some ideas to go in.

NKUSigEp · #9 01-19-2013, 10:32 PM

My personal experience...growing up, there was ONE person who knew what he wanted to do, went to school for it, and is actually doing it 11 years later. Everyone else changed majors, dropped out of school, maybe went into the military, and eventually got a job doing something totally unrelated to whatever they graduated from school wanting to do.

My advice: keep your options open and learn to be flexible. Expect to be happy and to find "something", but don't let people tell you that you have to know what you want to be when you grow up.

Illini10 · #10 01-20-2013, 07:49 AM

I knew what I wanted to do in high school (teach HS biology) but I also discovered radiography while I was exploring opportunities in the military. I became a registered radiographer and specialized in CT a few years after HS and became a radiography program director at a community college about 5 years ago. My career progression hasn't been exactly what I thought it would be but I've enjoyed the ride and the opportunities to meet people and explore my options. Figure out what you like, take that O Net assessment that was suggested and explore. You may find something that piques your interest.

I really want to be independently wealthy, live off interest, and buy craploads of basses and gear. Until then, I'm happy with what I'm doing