I'm thinking about being a Probation Officer, and advice?

Question

I'm looking for advice from anyone who has been a probation officer or is currently one. Is this job enjoyable? My major is criminal justice with a minor in psycology. I want to know if this is the job for me.

Answer 1

Sorry never been a probation officer. I have worked closely with them, especially when I worked tact and detectives. I also had a number of them as classmates and students.

It is not a job I would like. Most of them liked it because they felt they were doing good. All of them were even more overworked, with huge caseloads, than I was. Their pay was a lot worse then for the cops. None of them wanted to be a cop, thought it was to dangerous or it did not fit their world view.

Go and visit your county, or the county you want to work in.probation office. See what they do. A lot of them have summer intern type jobs.

It is hard work but can be satisfying and frustrating. You are not just dealing with bad guys and trying to help them you have to deal with bureaucracy and the odd judge or two.

Answer 2

ok first thing you need to know is BE SURE WHAT YOU  REALLY WANT  AND WAHT U ARE GOOD AT! i would really like to be a police girl or something like that, if you like this type of job go ahead but if you ARE NOT sure of this dont waste your time, find something else for you something that yo may be good at. i think is a really good idea but do something that you are really sure about. you may not want to wake up every morning thinking feeling like this... "AAHH IM TIRED....  I DONT FEEL LIKE GOING TO WORK TODAY..." when people feel like that specially in the mornig is just a sign that the job they have isnt satisfactory and makes them not wanting to go or perform their daily task... you need a job that you will like and something that will make you  feel motivated every morning... if you really feel like doing this go ahead... this is just my opinion... hope i helped you a bit..

Answer 3

Ok here it goes to be a probation officer you have to be a correctional officer for about 2 years in CA. and you have to have a BA in any field of Science Criminal justice or phsychology.

Probation doesnt carry a gun and you are not like a cop at all.