I think i would like to go to school to become a detecive or work in social services.How would I get started?

Answer 1

I suggest talking to people in each field. Most people are happy to talk about their work and would be able to explain the various routes (education, experience) to each.

Also, take a look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics latest Occupational Outlook Handbook. By entering "detective" or "social worker" in the search field, you will find out a great deal of info about the positions, including the job outlook (thus the title). A new edition is available online and in print every year and it outlines the education needed for every job under the sun, and gives you a sense of what the work itself is like.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

The best source of info I've ever found on careers is someone who actually does that for a living. One time I was thinking about being a forensic photographer (I have a good solid photography background already) so I picked up the phone and the phonebook. I called the number for the county and just kept picking options that sounded like the right direction "forensics" etc until I ended up talking to the county morgue.

I told the receptionist that I was a college student, interested in being a forensic photographer, and that I was wondering where I could find more information about how to become a forensic photographer. She put me through to the chief medical examiner for Maricopa County. (That's like the entire Phoenix metropolitan area). I asked him if he had a minute to talk to me about it, and he told me all kinds of useful information. What amount of schooling was necessary, what local schools offered that program, where they hired their staff from, he even told me about different areas of forensic work I didn't know existed. He gave me a detailed "Day-in-the-life" rundown of what a typical day at work is like. He talked to me for probably a good hour. I was amazed at how much I learned in that one phone call.

And then he gave me the cell phone number of a friend of his that worked as a forensic photographer, and said I could call that guy, tell him he (the Chief M.E.) sent me, and he'd be happy to answer any other questions I had as well.

They both brought up really good points I didn't even think to ask about. They told me way more than I ever thought I wanted to know about forensics and jobs related to forensics.

Just make a phone call. Don't worry about whether or not you call the exact right person. Just be polite, tell them you're a student and why you're calling, and ask them if they can answer a few of your questions (if they have a minute) or if they can point you in the right direction. You'd be amazed at how well that can work. Use phrases like "I'm a student," and "I am interested in becoming a _____" and "could you point me in the right direction?"

Don't forget please & thank you and you can find out all kinds of neat stuff just by making phone calls. If you're not sure which place to call, make a close guess and they'll let you know which place you should call instead if you guessed wrong.

Answer 3

Most of the people I work with have obtained a Bachelor degree in Social work or Psychology and masters degree in social work. If I were you, I would find a college that is connected with a state agency (usually a state college) that has a type of internship that would pay for college if you promise to work for the state agency for family services for several years. You would get a free education and a guaranteed job straight out of college.

Answer 4

Detective.. I would go to the police dept and ask them.. they would know more than us.. Also a major in criminal justice would help.. Social services, major in criminal justice, social work, psychology. etc.. U can usually get a job with a bachelors though to be in private therapy and to have more jobs available..get a masters or higher.. With a social work degree u have so many options: including schools, hospitals, rehabs, parole officer, etc.

Answer 5

i don't know if you need to go to school to be a detective...maybe there is like a corespondence school or something like that...in order to work in social services you will need an undergrad and grad (MS) in social work or counseling...