Career choices for the outdoorsman-What should i do?

[terrym]

Terrym, do you know what schooling the OPP officers went through. I was planning on Police foundations but now im realising that thats not gonna be enough. So now im thinking of a Honours bachelor of applied science in justice studies and then take police foundations. If anyone else knows what kind of schooling will get me into OPP it will be much appreciated.

I'm old and so are my buddies. The OPP guys only did a college Law Enforcement services diploma and the RCMP guy got in with high school only but they were very different times. I think today they wouldn't look at you without what you are considering today. I will ask my buddy what they are asking for these days. Not to be ignorant here but are you a white male?

[oaknut]

Don't give forestry a second glance. Run run far from it. Forestry is a sinking ship right now. Until things get straightened out in the industry its like flipping a quarter as to whether you work or not. Try and stay away from any boom bust scenarios. Gold is in right now but what about in two years? Five years?

The OPP will offer what you are looking for so long as you can handle it but like others have said police foundations is not important. Get yourself something good to fall back on then when you hit your mid 20's go and do your preliminary tests for the OPP. The written test is quite simple....."is the car red" type of thing but prepare for the physical test. Its a carry a dummy around a simple obstacle course kind of thing..... not too bad but the beep test had me breathing out my..... Once you pass those you can file an application to work. If thats accepted you are off to your 13 week paid course. (Thats how it was a couple years ago anyhow)

As a fallback the surveying you mentioned is becoming more of a demanding field. Civil engineers are tough to come by too but its my understanding that straight out of school can be a rough go.

Best of luck with your huge choice.

[Danny20gauge]

Terrym,No im not a white male if i were then there would be no chance of me getting accepted, im half polish and half Filipino and my skin color is fairly dark, police is all about visible minorities nowadays.
Oaknut, Thank you for the information im not worried at all for physical testing i am very fit and i have ran the beep test multiple times, im also in Army cadets, joined as a foot in the door kinda thing and for a good reference but ive done plenty of physical training. Good to know knowledge test is easy.

[johny]

There is lots of work in northern Ontario. Just that a lot of people don’t want it because they want to be close to Maple Leaf Gardens, the Raptors, Senators, opera, malls, malls, malls, restaurants, concert halls…. You get the idea, I’m sure.
By road, the remotest hole of Northern Ontario for travel distances has to be the Hearst/Kap area. But even there, it is just a 5-6 hour drive to get away for a weekend to a bigger center with shopping, sports, shows…


But dude…
You are in Grade 11 and already rejecting jobs like CO because that will conflict with your fall time recreational plans!!
H0Lee $h!t
Have you inherited wealth?
If not, get used to the real world dude!!!
After you’ve finish the easy world of high school, the real world will kick in.






Like Bill Gates said at a High School Graduation Speech:
You will NOT make 70 thousand dollars a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice president with car phone, until you earn both.
The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself, (or about hunting seasons).




I do wish you well.
Although monetary income seems to be the dominant issue for many, do something you really like.
What do you want?
A hateful job for $250,000/year or a job you love for $50,000/year.

[Species8472]

A good instrumentation and control electrician is worth their weight in gold. In demand in just about every sector. My I&C guys are never slow no matter the economy. It is required in every sector of infrastructure, education, healthcare, building sciences and industry. One of my guys has a criminal record related to some long past stupidity in his past life and still makes well over 100K/year.

[MikePal]

I'm surprised that no one has mention joining the military...a young guy looking for a future should always pop into a recruiting centre and see what they have to offer...

There are careers in every field you've mention and expressed interest in Danny. The pay scales are very good. You'll get full medical/dental benefits and a great pension plan. They will cloth you, feed you, give you a place to sleep and provide a fully funded education in any field you have chosen, be it at the college level or University..AND all the while your drawing a salary.

http://www.forces.ca/en/home

I spent 25 yrs in Uniform, then retired to a 100 acre hobby farm and now living the dream....the best decision I ever made was walking thru the doors at the recruiting centre and starting career in the service of our country.

Good luck Danny, nice to see you are looking forward at an early age.

[greatwhite]

MP is correct. If I could do it all over again the military is a good choice. Today for some careers they will train you send you to college or University pay you while you are attending and pretty much guarentee you employment. Many of my friends are ex military all pulling pensions at a very young life and then went on to do other things even my manager is ex military.

I'm surprised that no one has mention joining the military...a young guy looking for a future should always pop into a recruiting centre and see what they have to offer...

There are careers in every field you've mention and expressed interest in Danny. The pay scales are very good. You'll get full medical/dental benefits and a great pension plan. They will cloth you, feed you, give you a place to sleep and provide a fully funded education in any field you have chosen, be it at the college level or University..AND all the while your drawing a salary.

http://www.forces.ca/en/home

I spent 25 yrs in Uniform, then retired to a 100 acre hobby fame and now living the dream....the best decision I ever made was walking thru the doors at the recruiting centre and starting career in the service of our country.

Good luck Danny, nice to hear you looking forward.

[Mattones]

My brother got Into the RCMP 10 years ago without 'police college' I'm sure it's changed now as they had a blitz of hiring back then


if you get into a skilled trade you will always have a job.

[terrym]

I agree with the Military option also. It is a fabulous carreer choice that opens up all kinds of trades/options including police work. One of my OPP buddies started his police career there as an MP. The military also pays real wages now.

[line052]

I say join the Air Force, become a welder (trade) work 25 yrs and if you’re a decent worker you should make the rank of Sgt. Do your 25yrs, get a pension of about 2500.00 per month, you will be 43 (if 18 in grade 12). Still relatively healthy and start your second career outdoors as a guide for ducks, big game ect ect. You see most people do not think of this option. I retired at age 42 and will be 52 in April. Since retiring, I have enjoyed a 25K pension every year since, plus I got a job in the public service and own a business. My pension covers my mortgage and the basic niceties of life and I never have to worry about losing my job and not being able to pay my bills.

The second aspect of my military choice is the Air Force option. I was army for my whole career and this is hard on the body. When I was in a tent/trench, most of the Air Force guys were in Hotels….and in our bravado…we called them legs, wogs and slackers. Who is laughing now, them, with healthier bodies than me!

The third reason is pay, even if you are an average soldier you will make Cpl after 4 yrs, and this is 50+K per year (for your whole 25yrs)….. Even a degree in Computer Science will not pay you this much a year starting out (later), but no pension.. for the most part. If you sign up, be aware they will try to get you into the Army Trades (welders in all Services, Army, Navy, Air Force)..but stick your guns and say I will wait for the Air Force.

Lastly, pick the Air Frame (welder, aircraft skin finisher), or Aero Engine Tech in the Air Force, you fly everywhere and live for the most part in hotels (except when attached to Army)

The point of all this, I did a total of 30yrs and fished in every province and the artic. I fished in most countries in Europe and Asia as well when deployed or on R&R. This 17 kid joined the Army with a grade 9 (back in 1980) and seen more of the world than anyone on this forum, experience some horrible things, but far too many amazing things. I have got my GED, and bought and sold 10 homes (which the Army paid all my expenses for when transferred). You can walk into any bank and say I am in Army and get a loan…the know one phone call to Base..will solve the problem of late payments. Great lifelong friends, world traveler and adventure. It is very hard at times, and you do give some freedoms, but the only I would change…is not falling for the recruiters pitch and join the Army…. Instead of becoming the welder I wanted to be in the Air Force…..

Good Luck