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lisamwilliams · Jan 16, 2012, 05:19 AM

I am really passionate about becoming a Probation Officer. My aim is to help out teenagers who are involved in crime and have issues with Alcohol and Drugs. I'm 20 years old and from when I was 15 to 19 I was drinking and taking drugs and getting into trouble. I now don't drink or take drugs or get into trouble as I seen the error of my ways. I'm so passionate about helping people who are like I was. I think id be brilliant as I have first hand experience. Any help would be very much appreciated as this is what I want to do.

JudyKayTee · Jan 16, 2012, 08:35 AM

For starters you need a College degree, probably in criminal justice. You also will be required to do periodic drug testing.

Your record will be checked, of course, for arrests - both misdemeanor and felony.

In my area you need to pass a Civil Service test - I'm sure that's standard.

PO's don't keep kids out of trouble. In fact, as a rule PO's are not your friends. In what way to you think you'd be "brilliant" at keeping kids straight?

You sound like you would be far more useful as a counsellor of some type.

EDIT: You already read and posted on the other thread about PO/s. The information has not changed. https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/academ...ml#post3003032

Fr_Chuck · Jan 16, 2012, 12:08 PM

Agree, you may want to be a social worker, you may want to go to work for a church or a ministry of some type.

If you want to help kids, you don't want to be a probation officer. Your job as a probation officer will be to catch them doing wrong and lock them back up. A PO will not be their friend, or are you suppose to be. They are to fear you.

You have a great goal. You will need a college degree, Social work or criminal justice degrees are best. Many will after that start with working in Juv detention centers as guards. Most guards there see PO as a promotion and will be applying for the same jobs

IN GA there is a civil service test for that position and only the top scorers are even interviewed.

lisamwilliams · Jan 21, 2012, 06:29 AM

I think I'd be brilliant because I've been where they are,I would give them helpful advice. My probation officer did wonders with me,not only did she keep me on the straight and narrow but she gave me support and encouraged me to get out of the path I was going down. Teenagers that attend probation should not be shouted at or told what to do,from my experience if you treat them with respect and show them a different path and encourage them I'm sure you will get the best out of them. :)

JudyKayTee · Jan 21, 2012, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by lisamwilliams

I think i'd be brilliant because i've been where they are,i would give them helpful advice. My probation officer did wonders with me,not only did she keep me on the straight and narrow but she gave me support and encouraged me to get out of the path i was going down. Teenagers that attend probation should not be shouted at or told what to do,from my experience if you treat them with respect and show them a different path and encourage them im sure you will get the best out of them. :)

That may be true, but that's really not the issue here. That is NOT why probation officers exist. It IS why there are counsellors and advisors.

I agree with you - in an ideal world. Unfortunately, not all PO's ARE your friends (as excon always says) and they are very much overworked in my area.

After you get your Bachelors Degree you'll be in a much better position to select a career path.