3 answers
Zakura
Student
Baguio, Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines
8
Questions
Updated
2511 views
What senior high school track and college course should i choose to become a private investigator?
I am now in Grade 9, a 15 year old planning for the future :) , and I'm not sure what track should i choose in senior high school and course in college to become a private investigator.
I've always loved doing detective things and now i decided that i should become a private investigator because i want to be a detective without becoming a police officer. I've also searched a lot but i ended up confused.
#college-major #college #seniorhighschooltrack #collegecourse #seniorhighschool #SHS
Login to comment
3 answers
Katie Duxbury
Talent Acquisition
2
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Katie’s Answer
Hi Zakura! Great job thinking ahead for a future career :)
I would recommend a more technical major that will give you a unique skill set to apply to investigations. My top two recommendations are Computer Science (or something IT Management related), followed by Accounting.
I realize that options like "Criminal Justice" or "Political Science" can sound attractive and relevant. While those areas are important, they are more general and so you may miss some of the technical training that would help you stand out. I would recommend taking classes in these areas, or even adding a minor, but focusing your track/major on one of the areas above.
I hope that helps - good luck!
I would recommend a more technical major that will give you a unique skill set to apply to investigations. My top two recommendations are Computer Science (or something IT Management related), followed by Accounting.
I realize that options like "Criminal Justice" or "Political Science" can sound attractive and relevant. While those areas are important, they are more general and so you may miss some of the technical training that would help you stand out. I would recommend taking classes in these areas, or even adding a minor, but focusing your track/major on one of the areas above.
I hope that helps - good luck!
Thank you so much for helping me with my future career :) i really appreciated your help :)
Zakura
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1750
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Zakura,
Are you planning on working in the US, and if so, where? I cannot address how things are in the Philippines.
I agree with trying to build up your investigative skillset, although not necessarily in the two fields previously mentioned. Because you are in HS, you need to hear about the private investigative field. So, here in San Antonio, there is an abundance of people with a military background (and former police officers) to take the good PI positions. Those without experience may find themselves working as a low-paid security guard. Or, if they have a degree, they could go in directions like insurance claims/insurance fraud investigation; child abuse investigation; pre-sentencing investigation for probationers, etc. This may not be the case elsewhere. But, wherever there are a lot of military veterans, I would expect it to be similar.
At least here in the US, it is possible to take your schooling in a general direction, with several options open to you, rather than nailing it down early on. Sometimes, upon graduating, you take whatever first job you can get, and work towards getting the dream job, using that first position as a stepping stone.
If you want to continue on this path, you would want to learn about people. How they interact, how they lie, why they lie, etc. I have known people who developed really good skills at reading people by being a bartender. (not that I am advising this, just showing you how many ways you can build skills). You need to develop a healthy degree of skepticism, being inquisitive about everything!
Private detectives sometimes get really boring assignments. Like, following husbands/wives and trying to catch them with someone else. Or following people who are on disability leave to see if they are really disabled. Other assignments could have to do with catching embezzlers, hackers, etc.
If you don't mind me asking, what is keeping you from wanting to be a police officer? I was an officer for 25 years, and then used that to get a position for a criminal defense/Civil Rights lawyer. It was a most interesting job!
Please let me know if you have other questions or comments. Always happy to help!
Are you planning on working in the US, and if so, where? I cannot address how things are in the Philippines.
I agree with trying to build up your investigative skillset, although not necessarily in the two fields previously mentioned. Because you are in HS, you need to hear about the private investigative field. So, here in San Antonio, there is an abundance of people with a military background (and former police officers) to take the good PI positions. Those without experience may find themselves working as a low-paid security guard. Or, if they have a degree, they could go in directions like insurance claims/insurance fraud investigation; child abuse investigation; pre-sentencing investigation for probationers, etc. This may not be the case elsewhere. But, wherever there are a lot of military veterans, I would expect it to be similar.
At least here in the US, it is possible to take your schooling in a general direction, with several options open to you, rather than nailing it down early on. Sometimes, upon graduating, you take whatever first job you can get, and work towards getting the dream job, using that first position as a stepping stone.
If you want to continue on this path, you would want to learn about people. How they interact, how they lie, why they lie, etc. I have known people who developed really good skills at reading people by being a bartender. (not that I am advising this, just showing you how many ways you can build skills). You need to develop a healthy degree of skepticism, being inquisitive about everything!
Private detectives sometimes get really boring assignments. Like, following husbands/wives and trying to catch them with someone else. Or following people who are on disability leave to see if they are really disabled. Other assignments could have to do with catching embezzlers, hackers, etc.
If you don't mind me asking, what is keeping you from wanting to be a police officer? I was an officer for 25 years, and then used that to get a position for a criminal defense/Civil Rights lawyer. It was a most interesting job!
Please let me know if you have other questions or comments. Always happy to help!
Nikisha Mercado
Industrial Chemist
12
Answers
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Updated
Nikisha’s Answer
Opt for the police course i guess. My friends took BsChemistry then police work through their forensics program in manila.