Kids becoming Firefighters and Cops

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would you assume the newer generations of law enforcement don’t have college degrees?

Most do not.

Frankly, it should be a requirement. Half of these cops don't belong on the street.

I retired from law enforcement and have a law degree. Many of my colleagues had advanced degrees of various types. You speak from ignorance.

Most law enforcement officers do NOT have any college education much less a degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VT publishes fairly comprehensive data about recent graduates. The link below is for the class of 2024. I think we can all agree that 2024 was a better environment for graduates than 2025, and 2026 will be worse than both previous years.

Pamplin College of Business rate of full time employment: 53.8%

Mean starting salary: $73,295

Median starting salary: $70,000

https://career.vt.edu/outcomes/#!eWVhcj0yMDI0O2RpdmlzaW9uPVBhbXBsaW4gQ29sbGVnZSBvZiBCdXNpbmVzcw==

I would have guessed a higher full time employment rate and starting salaries. I wonder how many hours these young adults work to make $70,000? They should really dig into the math concerning time away from home.

Hiring has already slowed, and will continue to do so. Layoffs will increase and expand across the private sector. Public companies care about shareholders more than employees.

Suddenly hiring bonuses, overtime, pensions, tax credits and student loan forgiveness in the law enforcement space looks really attractive.

The salaries are just base, not with bonuses.

This is the list of top employers. The ceiling at these places is much higher than most of law enforcement.

Deloitte
RSM US LLP
Bank of America
KPMG LLP
Otis Elevator
IBM
Capital One
Wells Fargo
Freddie Mac
Accenture Federal Services
PwC
Baker Tilly
EY LLP
CoStar Group
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Davenport & Company LLC
Amazon
Morgan Stanley
CACI
PepsiCo

Are there bonuses available to the 46.2% that aren’t employed full time?

If you actually dig into the numbers, it’s only 12% that were still looking for work six months out. The 46.2% number includes a big chunk of non-respondents, as well as those getting further degrees. But you can see the numbers in detail and of the actual respondents the number still looking for work was 12%. So sure, maybe they can go become police officers if they are still looking at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is more prestigious, a firefighter or a cop? Asking for a friend...

Definitely not a cop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Firefighters also have the highest job satisfaction of any profession. There are two reasons -both of which make total sense. The first is that they only do good/help people in their community, and second, that the firehouse is such a social environment with shared meals, etc. If I had to do it again, I would have been a firefighter!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VT publishes fairly comprehensive data about recent graduates. The link below is for the class of 2024. I think we can all agree that 2024 was a better environment for graduates than 2025, and 2026 will be worse than both previous years.

Pamplin College of Business rate of full time employment: 53.8%

Mean starting salary: $73,295

Median starting salary: $70,000

https://career.vt.edu/outcomes/#!eWVhcj0yMDI0O2RpdmlzaW9uPVBhbXBsaW4gQ29sbGVnZSBvZiBCdXNpbmVzcw==

I would have guessed a higher full time employment rate and starting salaries. I wonder how many hours these young adults work to make $70,000? They should really dig into the math concerning time away from home.

Hiring has already slowed, and will continue to do so. Layoffs will increase and expand across the private sector. Public companies care about shareholders more than employees.

Suddenly hiring bonuses, overtime, pensions, tax credits and student loan forgiveness in the law enforcement space looks really attractive.

The salaries are just base, not with bonuses.

This is the list of top employers. The ceiling at these places is much higher than most of law enforcement.

Deloitte
RSM US LLP
Bank of America
KPMG LLP
Otis Elevator
IBM
Capital One
Wells Fargo
Freddie Mac
Accenture Federal Services
PwC
Baker Tilly
EY LLP
CoStar Group
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Davenport & Company LLC
Amazon
Morgan Stanley
CACI
PepsiCo

Are there bonuses available to the 46.2% that aren’t employed full time?

If you actually dig into the numbers, it’s only 12% that were still looking for work six months out. The 46.2% number includes a big chunk of non-respondents, as well as those getting further degrees. But you can see the numbers in detail and of the actual respondents the number still looking for work was 12%. So sure, maybe they can go become police officers if they are still looking at this point.

You forgot the part timers.

[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.

So encourage your kid and stop worrying about others

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

You don't know pp's job to judge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VT publishes fairly comprehensive data about recent graduates. The link below is for the class of 2024. I think we can all agree that 2024 was a better environment for graduates than 2025, and 2026 will be worse than both previous years.

Pamplin College of Business rate of full time employment: 53.8%

Mean starting salary: $73,295

Median starting salary: $70,000

https://career.vt.edu/outcomes/#!eWVhcj0yMDI0O2RpdmlzaW9uPVBhbXBsaW4gQ29sbGVnZSBvZiBCdXNpbmVzcw==

I would have guessed a higher full time employment rate and starting salaries. I wonder how many hours these young adults work to make $70,000? They should really dig into the math concerning time away from home.

Hiring has already slowed, and will continue to do so. Layoffs will increase and expand across the private sector. Public companies care about shareholders more than employees.

Suddenly hiring bonuses, overtime, pensions, tax credits and student loan forgiveness in the law enforcement space looks really attractive.

The salaries are just base, not with bonuses.

This is the list of top employers. The ceiling at these places is much higher than most of law enforcement.

Deloitte
RSM US LLP
Bank of America
KPMG LLP
Otis Elevator
IBM
Capital One
Wells Fargo
Freddie Mac
Accenture Federal Services
PwC
Baker Tilly
EY LLP
CoStar Group
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Davenport & Company LLC
Amazon
Morgan Stanley
CACI
PepsiCo

Are there bonuses available to the 46.2% that aren’t employed full time?

If you actually dig into the numbers, it’s only 12% that were still looking for work six months out. The 46.2% number includes a big chunk of non-respondents, as well as those getting further degrees. But you can see the numbers in detail and of the actual respondents the number still looking for work was 12%. So sure, maybe they can go become police officers if they are still looking at this point.

You forgot the part timers.

? People working part time is almost zero.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would you assume the newer generations of law enforcement don’t have college degrees?

Most do not.

Frankly, it should be a requirement. Half of these cops don't belong on the street.

I retired from law enforcement and have a law degree. Many of my colleagues had advanced degrees of various types. You speak from ignorance.

Most law enforcement officers do NOT have any college education much less a degree.

Source?

"A national survey of 958 police agencies, published in 2017, found that 30.2 percent of police officers had four-year college degrees, 51.8 percent had two-year degrees, and 5.4 percent had graduate degrees."
https://thehill.com/opinion/criminal-justice/504075-college-for-cops-studies-show-it-helps-their-behavior-stress-levels/

And that's 8 years ago, so those shares have almost certainly increased.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would you assume the newer generations of law enforcement don’t have college degrees?

Most do not.

I recall a small recruiting poster on the philosophy dept. bulletin board at my well-regarded undergrad institution, looking for applicants with PhDs in philosophy for a Sheriff's Dept. in the Pacific Northwest. That made an impression on me.

Frankly, it should be a requirement. Half of these cops don't belong on the street.

I retired from law enforcement and have a law degree. Many of my colleagues had advanced degrees of various types. You speak from ignorance.

Most law enforcement officers do NOT have any college education much less a degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Firefighter pay is pretty variable, but if you live in an area where firefighters are well paid, don't pretend it's not true.

I know some Cal Fire, Orange County, and Ventura County firefighters. Average is about $250k with modest OT. OT is part of the gig. But it's not like OT in other fields where you don't see your family. It's OT within the bracket of your assigned shift, just part of the lifestyle.

The outliers that "take every OT shift" are making near $400k or more. The guys at $250k are the average, responsible family guys.

https://lbpost.com/news/firefighters-400k-salary-overtime-long-beach/

being a firefighter in california is no joke and can be a very dangerous line of work. its not the building fires. its the wildfires.

[Anonymous]

Why is this thread in a college forum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would you assume the newer generations of law enforcement don’t have college degrees?

Most do not.

Frankly, it should be a requirement. Half of these cops don't belong on the street.

I retired from law enforcement and have a law degree. Many of my colleagues had advanced degrees of various types. You speak from ignorance.

Most law enforcement officers do NOT have any college education much less a degree.

Source?

"A national survey of 958 police agencies, published in 2017, found that 30.2 percent of police officers had four-year college degrees, 51.8 percent had two-year degrees, and 5.4 percent had graduate degrees."
https://thehill.com/opinion/criminal-justice/504075-college-for-cops-studies-show-it-helps-their-behavior-stress-levels/

And that's 8 years ago, so those shares have almost certainly increased.

Anecdotally, I agree. I know 20-22 officers in the DC region. Every one of them has a degree, and about a third of them have masters. How do I know? I went to college with a lot of them (neighboring major) and others I see their degrees listed on Facebook.

Sure, maybe there are other regions in the US where associate degrees are more likely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would you assume the newer generations of law enforcement don’t have college degrees?

Most do not.

Frankly, it should be a requirement. Half of these cops don't belong on the street.

I retired from law enforcement and have a law degree. Many of my colleagues had advanced degrees of various types. You speak from ignorance.

Thanks for doing what you did. Most of us appreciate and understand the realities of law enforcement.

Well, if he hasn’t advanced degree, he should know what an outlier is.

And there’s no way unless you have family and law-enforcement, you understand the realities.

I am somebody who have multiple family members in law-enforcement and some of them have advanced degrees. The worst part is deal dealing with other uneducated racist cop the worst part of their job. They’ve seen rape victims children… two-year-olds and infants. They’ve seen children hanging from trees because they were murdered by their father.

But day in and day out the worst was dealing with uneducated and racist cops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why would you assume the newer generations of law enforcement don’t have college degrees?

Most do not.

Frankly, it should be a requirement. Half of these cops don't belong on the street.

I retired from law enforcement and have a law degree. Many of my colleagues had advanced degrees of various types. You speak from ignorance.

Most law enforcement officers do NOT have any college education much less a degree.

Source?

"A national survey of 958 police agencies, published in 2017, found that 30.2 percent of police officers had four-year college degrees, 51.8 percent had two-year degrees, and 5.4 percent had graduate degrees."
https://thehill.com/opinion/criminal-justice/504075-college-for-cops-studies-show-it-helps-their-behavior-stress-levels/

And that's 8 years ago, so those shares have almost certainly increased.

Anecdotally, I agree. I know 20-22 officers in the DC region. Every one of them has a degree, and about a third of them have masters. How do I know? I went to college with a lot of them (neighboring major) and others I see their degrees listed on Facebook.

Sure, maybe there are other regions in the US where associate degrees are more likely.

Well, if you went to college, you would know that 5% is an outlier not the norm