r/ProtectAndServe • u/Agreeable-Bell436 • 6h ago

Question to LEOs Looking for advice

I’m 19 and currently in my 2nd year of a 4-year steamfitters apprenticeship. The money is good, but I keep asking myself if this is really what I want to do for the next 40 years. I’ve always felt a strong pull toward being a cop. I think it’s just the sense of being able to actually help and protect people in need. I feel like the best time to pull the trigger would be right now while I’m still young, but I'm torn.
Should I just thug out the rest of my apprenticeship to finish it and see if things get better, or try and chase something I don’t know if I’ll even enjoy as much as I do in my head?

3 Upvotes

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6

u/xpl9511 Not a(n) LEO / Unverified User 5h ago

Look into doing a ride along. Good free place to start.

5

u/TinyBard Small Town Cop 5h ago

It's always good to have a non-cop set of skills, even if you do ultimately go into law enforcement. You're 19, you've got two years left, and most places don't take people until they're 21 anyways, so that's excellent timing.

My advice would be to finish out your apprenticeship, and in the meantime, work on your fitness, do ride alongs, do research, get to know local agencies (and cops). Maybe you'll feel the same in two years, maybe you'll fall in love with your current career.

I was in a pretty similar boat when I was graduating with my degree in Information Technology. I didn't want to do it for a living, but I finished it out and it's been super valuable for my career generally.

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u/SwolematesR4Lyfe Deputy 21m ago

For the love of God finish your apprenticeship and go fit steam.