Thinking seriously of a career change

I am really considering becoming a law enforcement Park Ranger. I am working on becoming a wilderness EMT already...and honestly I would like to make more than $7,000 a year.... anyone else end up selling out?

 

How would you be selling out?

 

Well, you would still be outside...in the beautiful outdoors, right?

In these days and times, obtaining the exact job one thought they'd get when first beginning university/post-high school studies is becoming unheard of.

There are just so many jobs you encounter true-adult-wise that as an idealistic young adult you'd never think of nor consider.

I don't think you'd be selling out. In fact, I think somebody responsible and decent needs to make sure the rules are followed in our national parks, and you'd be a good one. Plus with your training and love of plants you would always be aware if someone was messing where they shouldn't be messin'. :biker:

Like I've said before, I think you have a most cool and wonderful field that you're trained in, and it would make me feel good to know that you might be doing that job somewhere - law enforcement Park Ranger. :2thumbsup: They need good people in that position.

 

I don't consider that selling out. I consider that being responsible and wanting to make enough money to pay your bills.

 

Thanks Lynn....those were some really good points and I would defend those plants with my life

I guess I just feel like I would be giving up my dream because of money...but maybe this was what I was meant to do?

 

Pretty much. Someone has to do it.

 

That is the way I look at many things.

Without all of the myriad of different things that have happened just like they have happened, you would not now be faced with an opportunity to be in Park Ranger law enforcement, I'd be willing to venture.

I believe some things are meant and there is a good, right path to follow. That is not to say you may not eventually find a branching or parallel path later...

This could be a wonderful opportunity to make a difference. Making a decent, stable salary with benefits also?! Oh My!!! :2thumbsup:

 

Because as soon as she gets a badge and gun, she'll be like "Fuck all you bitches! I gotta gun and plenty of places to hide the bodies!"

 

Could you become a park ranger in the same area you've worked in before? Perhaps you could continue your current work parttime or something!

 

I dont know..so you would have to carry a gun? so, if you carry a gun, you have the possibility of shooting someone and killing them, so I guess in a way you would be selling out for money..cause with the money comes the responsibility of life and death..wow..choose wisely

 

Would you really arrest people for smoking weed? :ssmokeit: I can't imagine you doing that.

 

I bet she would shoot them in the feet!

 

Or an arrow to the knee.

 

...and steal their weed

 

everyone has to live.

You would be selling out if you were planning to, for example, buy out a huge area of wilderness to sell off the timber and develop the shit out of it.

Getting into a related career that will be more lucrative and will allow a comfortable lifestyle without ever getting rich isn't selling out, its being realistic.

 

You don't usually get arrested for having weed in a park....I know because I got caught with weed in a park and he just confiscated it and didn't even write me up.

I would have to carry a gun and potentially shoot someone though....scary thought! I would probably fail training school though...

 

I would totally steal their weed....

I am just surprised I guess that this is something that would appeal to me

 

Shooting someone is a possibility, however I don't think it happens very often.

I think that would be a perfect job - I don't think I would want to be put in a situation in which I would have to use a gun. That doesn't sound good to me either.

 

A few personal notes:

My boyfriends sister was actually enrolled in Park Ranger school and bailed at the last minute. She got her Wilderness EMT training, actually. The training program is a lot like boot camp or the police academy. It's hard, and often in very cold locations...which one do you think you are going to do?

I had many discussions with someone who was a ranger for about 35 years, in different locations, including Yellowstone. He enjoyed it, but also hated many things about it, such as the bureaucracy. You mostly deal with people doing stupid shit, speeding, DUI, trespassing, partying at night, camping violations. You sometimes have to kill dangerous animals, and search for missing/endangered people. You get to enjoy the great outdoors, but it is mainly police work. From what I know, I wouldn't really recommend it to "non-cop" types.

One other thing...I've heard this from a few different rangers. It is difficult to maintain a normal marriage/relationship. So, if getting married and having children is a big deal for you, you might want to consider that.

But, the money can be decent, especially if you make a career out of it.

 

He smoked it at home that night! :rofl: I guarantee it.