Thinking about switching careers? With today’s challenging economy, and the renewed focus on job security as a result, law enforcement has become a popular second career choice. With an estimated need for almost 200,000 new law enforcement officers (LEOs) in America by 2016, police officers are not getting laid-off or fired like others struggling professions. The intense demand for LEOs also gives students leverage regarding starting salary and location of employment. Law enforcement is also an extremely rewarding career, allowing you to actively save lives on a daily basis.

While law enforcement is a desirable profession, many people still have concerns if a career change is right for them.

Some things to consider:

Am I too old to switch careers?

Regardless of your age, it is never too late to switch careers. If you have been in one industry for a substantial period of time, remember this, most employers and educators highly value experience and professionalism, something many younger applicants don’t have. Use this to your advantage.

What if I have already earned a degree in a field other than law enforcement?

Many schools offer accelerated Criminal Justice programs. These programs are designed specifically for students who have already earned an Associate or Bachelors degree in a different field of study and normally last 12 – 18 months.

Can I earn my CJ degree while working full time?

Yes. Many schools offer part time programs. You can also set your own schedule by earning your degree online. Online degrees are valued just as highly as campus degrees in the public safety industry.

Where can I get information on going back to school?

PoliceLink has partnered with a number of great colleges to help people just like you go back to school to earn their degree. Get free information by filling out the short form on the right.

Every year, thousands of people make the decision to switch to a career in law enforcement, not just because it is rewarding work with competitive salaries and room for promotion, but because the public safety industry is one of the few industries not affected by an unstable economy. Take the first step towards becoming a police officer by filling out the short form on the right and get free information from a variety of criminal justice programs.