Career Roadmap
Jerad's work combines: Law, Armed Services, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Law Enforcement Record-Keeping and Evidence Management
Union Institute & University
Associate's Degree
Golden West College
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Detectives and Criminal Investigators:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Law Enforcement Record-Keeping and Evidence Management
Associate's Degree
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
Hearing stories about the military from my uncle and grandfather made me want to join up.
2.
After high school, I went to college for one year, then realized I'd rather join the military.
3.
I joined the Marine Corps, as a reservist.
4.
I was meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal, then to the rank of sergeant.
5.
My unit struggled financially, so we never deployed overseas; it was both a blessing and a letdown.
6.
While serving, I simultaneously went to community college and obtained my associates degree.
7.
After my service ended, I went back to school and got my bachelor's degree.
8.
I now work as a detective for the Westminster Police Dept., focusing on suppressing gang activity.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You can't do it.
How I responded:
I heard some discouragement from one of my teachers, as well as from a supervisor I now work with. In fact when I was inquiring about law enforcement that supervision told me not to apply. I never understood why people were negative about my goals, because in my mind, I always knew exactly what I wanted, and I knew that I could achieve it. As a result, I've never let anybody's words or actions get in the way of what I wanted to do; whenever I heard discouragement, it only motivated me more.