Kids becoming Firefighters and Cops

[Anonymous]

Don't think I have ever heard of a kid on here who wants or is a cop or firefighter.

Found out recently that brother in law, a FDNY member of 20 years, brings in 240k a year.

Back then, less went to college but now the academies for both FDNY and NYPD require some college credits.

Why aren't more parents encouraging these careers as well, along with the usual talk on trades given the rise of AI for white collar job risks. Understand it could be a dangerous job but guaranteed employment, excellent benefits and pension, location mobility, and high salary in areas like NYC.

[Anonymous]

Their salary isn’t 240k. It’s much lower. If you’re very senior and work a ton of overtime it might add up to a higher number.

Much easier, better pay, ans hours in a white collar job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't think I have ever heard of a kid on here who wants or is a cop or firefighter.

Found out recently that brother in law, a FDNY member of 20 years, brings in 240k a year.

Back then, less went to college but now the academies for both FDNY and NYPD require some college credits.

Why aren't more parents encouraging these careers as well, along with the usual talk on trades given the rise of AI for white collar job risks. Understand it could be a dangerous job but guaranteed employment, excellent benefits and pension, location mobility, and high salary in areas like NYC.

This times 1000. I didn't raise my only child to be killed on injured on the job. Most firefighters and cops aren't making the money you mentioned. Your BIL probably works a lot of overtime for that $$$ and he works in NY.

[Anonymous]

Firefighter jobs are pretty hard to get, and most pay far below $240K per year.

But firefighters are revered first responders, and it's a terrific career for the right kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't think I have ever heard of a kid on here who wants or is a cop or firefighter.

Found out recently that brother in law, a FDNY member of 20 years, brings in 240k a year.

Back then, less went to college but now the academies for both FDNY and NYPD require some college credits.

Why aren't more parents encouraging these careers as well, along with the usual talk on trades given the rise of AI for white collar job risks. Understand it could be a dangerous job but guaranteed employment, excellent benefits and pension, location mobility, and high salary in areas like NYC.

Is there a careers and jobs thread?

Go there.

[Anonymous]

Your BIL made $240k taking every overtime hour available and never saw his family. I made $500k sitting at a desk and picked up my DC's from school every day. Call me crazy, but I think that I won.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your BIL made $240k taking every overtime hour available and never saw his family. I made $500k sitting at a desk and picked up my DC's from school every day. Call me crazy, but I think that I won.

Depends on your values.

Which job makes a bigger contribution to society?

[Anonymous]

Why would anyone encourage their child to go into a profession where death is a real risk? Why would a parent encourage a child to go into a profession where smoke inhalation and lung cancer are real risks?

[Anonymous]

My cousin graduated with a business and Econ degree three years ago. He’s FDNY and will retire in 17 years. He works three days a week, renovates houses the other four days, and has more than 500k in stocks at 25. He’s doing much better than friends in professional careers.

[Anonymous]

Why would anyone dismiss or demean people who voluntarily risk their lives to save or protect others. I for one am grateful that there are people who do so and frankly wish that they were paid more for their sacrifice. Even if you have been lucky so far do you seriously think you and everyone you care about will get through life never needing to call 911??

If this is your child's dream and passion, support them. Help them get into the best department they can and tell them that we appreciate and respect them.

The rest of you immoral a-holes can F all the way off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My cousin graduated with a business and Econ degree three years ago. He’s FDNY and will retire in 17 years. He works three days a week, renovates houses the other four days, and has more than 500k in stocks at 25. He’s doing much better than friends in professional careers.

This. From a family of firefighters (dad, cousins). Benefits from firefighter job including pension. Money from side hustle (one is general contractor and other owns landscaping business.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't think I have ever heard of a kid on here who wants or is a cop or firefighter.

Found out recently that brother in law, a FDNY member of 20 years, brings in 240k a year.

Back then, less went to college but now the academies for both FDNY and NYPD require some college credits.

Why aren't more parents encouraging these careers as well, along with the usual talk on trades given the rise of AI for white collar job risks. Understand it could be a dangerous job but guaranteed employment, excellent benefits and pension, location mobility, and high salary in areas like NYC.

Well their parents probably don't need to be on the college thread. They're researching police academies.

[Anonymous]

Parents are encouraging their kids in these jobs. Just like parents are encouraging their kids to learn trades too. Just not parents in the dmv. In this area they’re too caught up in which school their kid got into and how much money they’re making or going to make.
Other parts of the country are very dufferent and consider their kids successful in trades and as first responders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone dismiss or demean people who voluntarily risk their lives to save or protect others. I for one am grateful that there are people who do so and frankly wish that they were paid more for their sacrifice. Even if you have been lucky so far do you seriously think you and everyone you care about will get through life never needing to call 911??

If this is your child's dream and passion, support them. Help them get into the best department they can and tell them that we appreciate and respect them.

The rest of you immoral a-holes can F all the way off.

Wow. Over-react a bit.

One can say "not for me" and not be insulting the people who do the job. Stop looking for reasons to be angry.

And in response to the OP, someone making that much is working tons of OT and/or bilking the system (there are a number of cops/firefighters who bilk the system, and again, I am not "demeaning" all cops/firefighters - there are plenty of people in all industries who bilk the system).

Full respect and gratitude to those who do these jobs, but no thanks.

[Anonymous]

Depending on the area, it can take quite a few years to become a firefighter. It isn’t necessarily something you can just sign up to do.

Like many public sector jobs, the pay is nowhere near what you mention starting out. The pay and benefits tend to accrue with time.

Parents aren’t eager for their kids to end up in dangerous jobs. Firefighting is regularly pretty high up on those lists, especially amongst jobs that require some college education.

Finally, as others have pointed out it isn’t really a college question so much as a career one.