Considering career change after 24 years

[VA Bass]

burn out is common in my orofession as well. 17 years in the public school classroom and it's hard to get up and go these days. Things were not good pre covid, they are even worse now. kids are out of control. federal gov't dictates out suspension rates. In fact, about 8 years ago we got a memo from the county. It stated for us as teachers to be more reluctant to write up, and I quote, "African American children" . In other words, it was fine to write, suspend, expell white kids, but black kids needed 3 or 4 strikes before they are written up. you see, the federal gov't funds the public school system heavily, they threatened to pull that funding if the "disproportionate" number of students of color continued to climb. so in turn, minority students that partake in infractions that call for suspension or expolsion there are changes in consequences. Meaning they do not get suspended. I could go on and on about what I see at school everyday, I will spare you all, but I am here to tell you, it is not good and I along with a lot of other teachers are drained. My district is preparing for 800 teacher vacancies for next year. So what did the system do? gave a us a 5k raise and told us to fight the good fight. The gov't always throws money at the problem, it did not help, teachers are leaving droves. I can retire early in 2 years, but it won't be much to draw from. I am in the same boat.

[n2ratfishin]

VA Bass every teacher I know says the same thing about students being out of control. Every teacher I know is counting down the days until retirement.

OP my advice is stick it out until you can draw a pension. If you have to get out look at other jobs with great healthcare coverage and chances at building another retirement income. Most every military member punching out at 20+ years has to find another career. I tried the corporate thing for about 8 years before taking the advice of working in house as a DOD contractor. I left the military after 20 years, I enjoyed life in the corporate world and made insane money working in B2B information technology sales. My practice wife left the month I retired leaving me a single dad with all the bills we had accumulated over 16 years. It was a great lesson on the grass is not always greener on the other side.

[Hoot]

The Iowa DNR often hires seasonal employees during the busy times and they can turn into permanent jobs.

Someone with Law Enforcement Training ought to be valuable to them as many of the individuals they hire haven't been through an academy yet and can't legally administer breathalyzer tests for drunk boaters.

[hawkrooster]

Thank you for serving. My girls sleep safer at night because of brave men and women like you

thanks!

[hawkrooster]

I would grind the year to be able to collect at age 50 vs leaving now and collecting at age 55. Take the next year to do your research and find the next stop, a year will fly by if you are working towards the next step. In the short time, are there non LE positions in the same retirement system? I'd look there first just to carry out what you have invested so much in.

I'm 23 years in this June, 46 years old so nearly the same as your situation. I'm at least staying to age 50, might stay to 53 then I'm definitely done.

Our IPERS retirement system has a special exemption for sheriff's deputies so I would have to stay at a deputy position. I might be able to work part time at another agency and I believe that would help with that last year

[Dtronic]

If you have any military bases, VA centers or other federal buildings near you that's another option.


For any young Leo's I've heard this is an interesting job. https://fmt.kcnsc.doe.gov/OSTfederalagent/

If you happen to have a TS clearance with military experience say from 23EY, you're golden.

[MidwestBoater]

Are there any other departments in your area that participate in the same pension system that may have a better work environment (lower crime, better leadership, etc)? Or are you interested in technology at all? We have an officer in our department that is dedicated to managing the in car video and body cam systems, deals with records requests for video and other digital evidence. Also, we have an officer that now runs dispatch as the supervisor, he works days M-F. Our officer in charge of Evidence works days, M-F as well. One officer retired and went to do campus security for a local college, another officer came to city hall and did code enforcement M-F for his last few years before retiring.. There was a pay cut involved, but he kept his pension and it was a low stress gig.

[jb882]

burn out is common in my orofession as well. 17 years in the public school classroom and it's hard to get up and go these days. Things were not good pre covid, they are even worse now. kids are out of control. federal gov't dictates out suspension rates. In fact, about 8 years ago we got a memo from the county. It stated for us as teachers to be more reluctant to write up, and I quote, "African American children" . In other words, it was fine to write, suspend, expell white kids, but black kids needed 3 or 4 strikes before they are written up. you see, the federal gov't funds the public school system heavily, they threatened to pull that funding if the "disproportionate" number of students of color continued to climb. so in turn, minority students that partake in infractions that call for suspension or expolsion there are changes in consequences. Meaning they do not get suspended. I could go on and on about what I see at school everyday, I will spare you all, but I am here to tell you, it is not good and I along with a lot of other teachers are drained. My district is preparing for 800 teacher vacancies for next year. So what did the system do? gave a us a 5k raise and told us to fight the good fight. The gov't always throws money at the problem, it did not help, teachers are leaving droves. I can retire early in 2 years, but it won't be much to draw from. I am in the same boat.

My wife is in the same situation as you are. 19 years in and she is done. As of this June she is officially finished with teaching and i fully support her in making this change. She is sick of the politics, the parents, the horrible kids, the kids she literally has to teach over google translate, lack of support from admin etc.

[hawkrooster]

Are there any other departments in your area that participate in the same pension system that may have a better work environment (lower crime, better leadership, etc)? Or are you interested in technology at all? We have an officer in our department that is dedicated to managing the in car video and body cam systems, deals with records requests for video and other digital evidence. Also, we have an officer that now runs dispatch as the supervisor, he works days M-F. Our officer in charge of Evidence works days, M-F as well. One officer retired and went to do campus security for a local college, another officer came to city hall and did code enforcement M-F for his last few years before retiring.. There was a pay cut involved, but he kept his pension and it was a low stress gig.

Thanks for your response. My pension will always be there but my draw dates will be different if I don't get another year. Most county departments require you to move there. I've moved 3 times and don't want to do it again.

[Duece22]

Do you have a degree? When I went through the academy it was recently retired officers who taught the class.

[hawkrooster]

I have placed a few calls this morning to a couple of guys I know well connected in the business world. I met both of them selling them buildings and we became friends during and after the project was done. Heck one of them lets me keep my boat there now free of charge with a key to the building. One of them is going to put in a good word for me for a sales/financing position that is advertised I will be applying for. He use to work there and still works with a sister company now of that place. M-F and way better pay. I may not have the financing part down but he thinks I have the connections and people skills to sell and make long lasting connections. Said it probably doesn't hurt I am on the school board too. They are a community oriented company. We'll see I guess. I haven't had a job interview in 21 years hahaha.

[hawkrooster]

Do you have a degree? When I went through the academy it was recently retired officers who taught the class.

bachelor is psycology and a bachelor in political science with an AA in criminal justice

[mike464]

You'll be fine and land on your feet. Every guy I knew that quit or retired was worried, the cop job is a lifestyle/self image kind of career, it's tough to think about doing anything else until you do. All the things that LE taught you makes you a better worker and leader out in the rest of the workforce.

[Duece22]

bachelor is psycology and a bachelor in political science with an AA in criminal justice

Any peace officer academies nearby? I know when I went thru they were paying $40/hr to teach.

[Treker47]

Hawkrooster an off the wall suggestion I know but have you considered becoming a game warden? A LEO of a different league but with you background may be something to check into.

[bassnleo]

I did 25 years in law enforcement. My advice, RUN, FAR AND FAST. I got into zoning and then municipal management. It was a good move.

[Dixie-Raven]

Are you wanting to get away from law enforcement all together? If not maybe try a different aspect of it that will give you better hours and time off. Could you get your teaching certification and teach at the local college on law enforcement or be a consultant of some sort? Other than that pick something you enjoy that meets your financial needs and time off requirements. Good luck!

[xcoach]

Look on indeed, see what’s out there right now.

[ColdSVT]

Sounds like that time i became an RN in my 30s lol

Took me 10 years to get back to making the money i did before the career change but man it was all worth it

[Stein]

If I stayed another I could draw at 50. If I left now I can at 55. As I stated in another post there are some other factors playing into this I would rather not air. Thanks for your response

If you meant to say stay another YEAR then that's a no brainer. Five more years's worth of payments collected? Leaving now would cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars.