When I first went to college I really had no idea what I was going to do for a career. Eventually, I got interested in the Administration of Justice program (known simply as Criminal Justice at most universities) and began training to be a peace officer. About a year and a half into the program, I recieved the opportunity to attend an evidence technology(forensic science) class, and I was hooked. I've since changed majors to double-major in Administration of Justice and Forensic Science. Both programs result in two-year degrees.
This semester, I got another big break in the evidence technology field, having been cleared to attend a criminalistics course with prerequisites waived. My instructors are now recommending that I not only finish the two year program in field evidence technology, but continue beyond that and get a four-year degree in one of the sciences. This would qualify me to work not only as a field evidence tech(those guys you see collecting evidence in crime scenes and on TV shows like Crime Scene Investigators) but also as a criminalist, examining and testing criminal evidence inthe lab, as well as giving expert testimony in court.
I'd planned on getting a bachelor's degree anyway, but in Criminal Justice, where the bulk of the two year program was also a significant portion of the four year program. Now here's the deal: If I choose to go the science route, I basically have to start all over again, leaving only a few GE's transferable to the four-year degree. I'd be spending another three years(at least) in school. But the upside is that after all the work was done, I'd be able to work with any law enforcement agency with a crime lab.
I'd just like to know, what your opinions would be in this situation. What would one of you do if you had the choice? Would it be worth going under the knife for three more years? I believe so, but I can't help feeling that I wasted a year's worth of work. Lemme know what y'all think, anything would be encouraging.
]LoL[Wolfram
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This semester, I got another big break in the evidence technology field, having been cleared to attend a criminalistics course with prerequisites waived. My instructors are now recommending that I not only finish the two year program in field evidence technology, but continue beyond that and get a four-year degree in one of the sciences. This would qualify me to work not only as a field evidence tech(those guys you see collecting evidence in crime scenes and on TV shows like Crime Scene Investigators) but also as a criminalist, examining and testing criminal evidence inthe lab, as well as giving expert testimony in court.
I'd planned on getting a bachelor's degree anyway, but in Criminal Justice, where the bulk of the two year program was also a significant portion of the four year program. Now here's the deal: If I choose to go the science route, I basically have to start all over again, leaving only a few GE's transferable to the four-year degree. I'd be spending another three years(at least) in school. But the upside is that after all the work was done, I'd be able to work with any law enforcement agency with a crime lab.
I'd just like to know, what your opinions would be in this situation. What would one of you do if you had the choice? Would it be worth going under the knife for three more years? I believe so, but I can't help feeling that I wasted a year's worth of work. Lemme know what y'all think, anything would be encouraging.
]LoL[Wolfram
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