Expert: Jason Grabill - 4/27/2004

Question
Dear Mr. Grabill,

    My name is George and only in the last 2 years have my interests been sparked in regards to law enforcement.  I have started the process and am really excited.  I am only 21 years old but I really feel this is what I want to do with the rest of my life.  I am nervous about how my parents will react to this because they always stress the importance of college.  And I know that law enforcement does not offer a lucrative financial opportunity, especially here in Huntsville, Alabama.  I feel that I would be good at my major but it would not give me that long-term happiness that I feel that I would certainly gain from becoming a cop.  When I think about the academy and police work, I really get excited.  I can almost guarantee that some of my family, especially my parents, will be disappointed because of my career of choice.  I want to make my parents happy by going to college, but I am so damn unhappy in college I don't know how I am going to tell them.  I feel like unless I do exactly what they want, I will be letting them down.  Any advice or words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
George

Answer
George:

  First, my apologies for taking some time to answer this;  I've been working double shifts due to the warm weather.

  I would approach this in this way:  Most, if not all, Police departments nowadays will assist you in paying for college;  as long as you keep your grade point average above a "C", they will foot a good portion of the bill.  That helps with the college aspect of your choice.

  Second, you are choosing a field that is not financially rewarding, in a making a ton of money sense, but you are serving your country nonetheless.  It may not seem like that, but you are.  If a terror attack happens in the US, rest assured, you'll be serving on the front lines.  That won't be much comfort to the parents I'm sure, but I would approach that angle by saying, simply, you felt you had to give something back to your country, and you are choosing law enforcement......instead of the Marine Corps.  

  Sure, initially, they will probably be dissappointed to an extent, but you need to be happy also.  30 years from now, if you are looking back on your life saying "Dammit, I wish I would have tried for the Police department!", you'll be filled with regret.  This is something you need to consider for your own mental well being.   Eventually, your parents will be proud of the choice you made.  This is wartime, after all, and instead of going out and trying to earn money selling people things they don't need, or sueing people to get the money they worked for, or doing some other "cubicle" type job, you are serving your country.  It's just that simple.

  Try those angles, and see what develops.  Don't hesitate to email me again...I'll try and reply quicker next time! :)

Best Regards,

Jason