Career Change?

I am writing this prematurely at the moment as Im not certain as to whether or not I will be forced into leaving the Police due to my wrist injury. I have spoken with work and with the specialist on the prognosis and it looks like I may be on light duties for quite some time. I have been advised by my supervision that I need to consider my future and what lies ahead. I really dont want to be stuck on light duties long term just waiting for someone to say that I can or cant be operational in a year or 2 down the line.

Strangely enough i do consider that the accident may have been a twist of fate. The background of this is that I was moved into a desk role against my will at the beginning of the year and the day before the accident, I was due to meet the duty inspector to talk about returning to active duty.

Thinking about a career change, it really puts me in a position which Ive never been in as since before going to university I wanted to join the police. This opinion didnt change during the 3 years and following an 18month spell in sales I joined up.

I have tried to think about what motivates me and the conditions which I would look for when taking a job.
The role would have to involve

• being away from the desk at times as I just couldnt stick working behind a desk all day every day.
• I find I work equally as well working by myself as I do as part of a team, while I enjoy interacting with others whether that be colleagues or customers.
• I am motivated by achievable targets particularly when attached to bonuses etc.
• I would like a career which I can see a clear satisfying end product (Something which I dont currently see with the Police at court) and would like to see opportunities to continue my development and further my career.
• I would like to feel valued in the role and ultimately job satisfaction
• Would need to earn a minimum of 18-20k a year just to pay bills etc.

I do have a degree, but I find my location in the North East (Not Newcastle) particularly limits my options as to employment. This is perhaps the main issue when looking to find work. Having a mortgage in this difficult time makes it difficult to relocate, particularly when my OH is quite settled at the moment. Prior to the Police I did spend 18 months in sales which I found myself good at and I was able to make my portfolio of clients much more profitable on leaving the job. Unfortunately it wasnt bonus based however I did receive a healthy pay rise.

I guess at the end of this outpouring of self pity, I am looking for experiences from others who have had a career change and if anyone can provide any enlightenment on what I may be suited to going on the criteria which I have listed above. It is early but I find that I best prepare myself for something rather than find myself another year down the line approaching 28 wondering where my career is going.
I know that the Org is full of wonderful advice and yes my friends I am asking for your opinions good and bad.

[Biker Biggles]

My advice FWIW is to stay in the Bill whatever it takes.Its a reasonably safe well paid job with a pension scheme to die for these days.You will be very lucky to get anything remotely close with a career change unless you already know what you are going to do and have very firm ambitions and abilities to get you there.
The grass is probably very much browner on the other side.

Those who can't ... Teach

Geography teacher Rob?

Got a mate who teaches and he loves it, he was the one at school who was always in trouble as well

My mum's a teacher, now deputy head and used to enjoy it, I think she gets annoyed with the way teachers aren't left to just get on and teach, but she's getting old

I would definitely NOT teach. Not that i hate kids, but I think its possibly a more difficult job than policing with both hands tied behind your back rather than just one.

Job satisfaction is definitely high on my list though, as well as the ability to see a "result" a thte end of it.

Biggles, I appreciate what you are saying and believe me that this is no easy decision as I would effectively be giving up a lot, however I may be forced to make this decision and therefore need to be prepared to do so before I genuinely feel that Ive "missed the boat" in changing careers. It actually isnt the first time Ive considered my future, as I wondered whether or not the job is all I thought it was cracked up to be and the worry about the injury and what I has been advised has added to this concern.

.

Rob your not alone on how you feel about the job, I have had about 2-3 jobs in court now, where they have not been heard due to lack of evidence even though I nailed the suspect in interview and with statements....

Have you thought about a side ways that involves simalr wrk.

Originally Posted by Bluethunder

Rob your not alone on how you feel about the job, I have had about 2-3 jobs in court now, where they have not been heard due to lack of evidence even though I nailed the suspect in interview and with statements....

Have you thought about a side ways that involves simalr wrk.

Staying in the job but specialising you mean? Problem is I only transferred to the new force in Feb, have no active experience with them (Crazy) and now with my poor sickness record, I wont be able to speciailise until the 2 year slate is wiped clean. On top of that, like I said I dont know when I will get full movement and no pain.

I think the fact I see little no end product is one of the main reasons for feeling negative about it. I know some people dont really mind that and at the end they do their part and thats it. But unfortunately to see the amount of work you put into some jobs, extra hours where you have had to cancel your private life for before it goes to court where they get a paltry punishment is not satisfaction in my opinion.

couldnt agree more. currently police staff and i am slowly losing the will to live!

having similar thoughts my self.

[husky03]

I know where your coming from Rob-time spent catching the scum, collating your evidence then when the day in court comes either get off with it scotfree or a ****y sentence that does not fit the crime. Moral up here at the moment is the lowest i've ever experienced-big changes happening right now without the foundations being in place, meaning the unit i'm in is having to take a big bite of the $hite pie and swallow-its gonna be like this for atleast two years before things start getting better, i can honestly say that if there was another avenue for me to go down i'd chuck the job-your situation is different but i'd suggest you take your time and plan things out before leaving-remember its a 25-30 year career-one or two years behind a desk isn't gonna seem that long over the period-your gonna have to do it some time so why not at the early part of your term?
good luck mate
husky