Blog Week #7

In the Criminal Justice career field, new members to the field have many options that are available. One of the most important factors that a recent graduate needs to consider is whether or not to work in the federal sector. The federal sector offers graduates many benefits such as full medical and dental for not only the employee but also for the employee’s family. A government backed retirement plan is also an enticing factor that many graduates take into account when looking for a job. One benefit that I have taken a personal liking to when it comes to the federal side of the criminal justice field is their policy of giving preference to people who have served in the armed forces. Once I decided upon going the federal route, I knew that the two areas that I would be most interested in was either intelligence or anything having to deal with drugs/firearms. I went to a website, www.usajobs.gov, to do my job research. While researching I found that there were common features that most of the jobs were looking for. These master qualities include having some form of experience in the field you are trying to get into. Another quality that the FBI and Secret Service requires is an extensive background check to include a polygraph test. One quality that the DEA looks for is the applicant’s lack of use of illegal drugs. One of the most important factors that all of the agencies are looking for is for an applicant to be able to perform physically demanding tasks that are required for the job. This job requirement was especially stressed in a job listing by the United States Marshals Service (http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=86806106&JobTitle=Detention+Enforcement+Officer&brd=3876&vw=b&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y&pg=2&re=4&jbf574=DJ*&AVSDM=2010-03-11+11%3a39%3a00). Of the many requirements that federal agencies the most important factor is the ability to attain a Top Secret security clearance. These are just a few of the many requirements that agencies look for.
There are also many qualities that federal agencies look for; this paragraph will address some of those qualities. All agencies want a new employee to be able to be a team member and be able to work as a part of a team. Agencies also look for a person who has the ability to make quick and decisive decisions. Another quality that job descriptions called for is an ability and willingness to relocate as per the needs of the Agency. Discipline is also a very high quality that agencies look for when they look for applicants. One of the more difficult qualities that the ATF looks for is the ability to be able to masterly handle a weapon (http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=86508955&JobTitle=Law+Enforcement+Training+Specialist%2c+GS-1801-13&q=ATF&where=&brd=3876&vw=b&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y&AVSDM=2010-03-11+14%3a50%3a00#qualifications). These are some of the qualities that I saw in job listings.
This section will address how I measure up with some of the requirements and qualities that I saw listed at www.usajobs.gov. By the time that I start to look for a job to use my criminal justice degree I will have completed the Military Intelligence Basic Officers Leadership Course (BOLC). This course will have taught me to the trade of being an intelligence officer as well as having been assigned and trained in an area of intelligence. I will have also received my masters, hopefully Loyola University in New Orleans, in criminal justice. Being a MI officer, I will have had to have gone through the process to get a Top Secret security clearance so agencies wouldn’t have to worry about me not being able to go through their security background process. In response to the DEA’s want to find an applicant who has never experimented with drugs I can gladly and proudly say that I have never tried any illegal drugs. There is also nothing in my past that I want to hide that I would try and hide from a polygraph test. The last requirement of having to be physically fit, I know that I can pass any physical training tests that an agency can put me through because of my time in the military. My physical fitness is not the only thing that I have learned from my time in the military. I believe that I possess a strong sense of discipline that would benefit an agency greatly. Throughout life I have always belonged to some form of team. As a senior in high school I was awarded one of the two team captain roles on my varsity football team. I believe that this shows that I am a team player and also able to inspire my other team members to give their best. In addressing the quality posted by the ATF about being able to masterly handle a weapon I believe that I can do that. I have been exposed to all forms of weaponry throughout my life to include pistols, shotguns, assault rifles, machine guns, and shoulder fired rocket launchers. I believe that with my past experience and my willingness to go on new adventures will make me a great new team member to any federal agency.