Hey there everyone. Some background on me. I'm 20, live in California, my desired career is to be a fish and game warden. The minimum requirement is an associates degree but due to the competitive nature I know it's best to get a bachelor's. I did community college right out of high school for a year but didn't do well. Like, basically would eventually drop all the classes. This was due to not really having a plan for how to go about things(should have seen a counselor) or understanding credits, major requirements and general education purposes. I did eventually look into EMT training both as a job for the rest of college and solid first responder experience.
I did the first half with another community college last year, started with another earlier this year but then COVID hit, classes moved online and procrastination set in. I did a 10 week program with CalRegional and am now waiting till I can be approved for the NREMT. I plan on doing classes again the coming Spring 2021 as an environmental science major and have spoken with a counselor to lay things out. When you apply to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the hiring process(fitness test, background check, etc) takes around two years, so if I hopefully line things up I can have finished my bachelor's before going to the academy if I'm accepted. The academy for game wardens starts in January and ends in August.
However I'm caught between two options: A) either I finish it in 3 years by doing a couple of summer sessions and go to the 2024 academy or B) do it in 4 years with no summer sessions and go to the 2025 academy.
If I did A, it would look like this: Spring 2021->Summer 2021->Fall 2021->Spring 2022(associates for transfer finished, apply to fish and wildlife department), break during Summer 2022, go to university to finish Fall 2022->Spring 2023->Summer 2023->Fall 2023(go to 2024 academy)
If I did B, it would look like this: Spring 2021->Fall 2021->Spring 2022->Fall 2022(associates for transfer finished), Spring 2023(apply to start hiring process)->Fall 2023->Spring 2024->Fall 2024(go to 2025 academy)
24 honestly sounded like a good age to finally start my main career, but then there is seeing about some volunteering or internship to boost my chances and get my foot in the door. I'm not sure what volunteering or whatever that Fish and Wildlife might have during the pandemic though, as I know some areas are closed off as part of precaution measures. Since game wardens have search and rescue duties and operate among hunters, boaters, and hikers(drowning, maulings, shootings, etc) the EMT experience would definitely look good but I know I should try to ''get my foot in the door'' which would be easier with Option B since I could do it in the summers.
Like with option A I would have summer of 2022 where maybe I could do something. There is the consideration of a social life. Not a party animal or really extroverted but I do know you need a break sometimes and relax and enjoy your 20s, plus I didn't grow up exposed to the outdoors much so definitely want to explore it more. Option B would also be easier in that regard but might not be impossible with Option A. There is also considering working as an EMT while in college which is not uncommon but do want to keep an eye on with summer classes and can depend on what shifts you get(12hr, 24hr, 48hr). I'm not to sure on either. Money isn't an issue, as I have high functioning autism so I get sponsorship through vocational rehabilitation.
Thoughts?
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Enforcement/Career/Apply
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Enforcement/...s-usually-take
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Enforcement/...Qualifications
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