What would you do?

[bizkit642]

Bear with me, could be a long post.

Currently I'm an engineer with Union Pacific.

I was going to college a few years ago with the intent of getting my CJ degree. UP was hiring at the time so I put in an application as a what the hell why not type of thing. Sure as ****, I've been here 3 years already.

I enjoy it, but my heart is still in LE and I'm wondering if I should still pursue it.

I'm only 22, so I'm not losing a ton of benefits at work if I were to switch.

A few questions though: Would it be better for me to go back to school and get a degree? Or is work experience enough. I'm Located in Kansas if that helps out at all.

Another idea though is Union Pacific has "special agents" Basically they are UP Police. I haven't had the time to talk with any of them though.

I'm just confused, Should I give up a damn better pay, and just live in a lull, or give up some money and be happy.

Any comments are appreciated.

-Andrew

[ichy_trigger]

You have to follow your heart.
For me, I wanted to go into LEO after leavng the Regular Army and was even an MP in the reserves for a bit. My damn boss at the time kept upping my pay and my position and im still here. Am I happy, yes, do I still wish I would have gone into LEO? Yes.. Solution... I dunno, im mixed up too, just to old now and doing to well to change.

[Glxso201]

If you're going to go full LEO, go get your degree...it makes a major difference in hiring and pay

[Trace]

Are you nuts? Do you know how the RR takes care of you when you retire? I'd stick with the railroad, or find the LEO division of Union Pacific and see if the retirement benefits are just as good as when you're an engineer. I have a friend that is retired KCS, and both he AND his wife get retirement checks from the railroad.

[x_out86]

If your heart is still in LE, you have to listen to yourself. Nobody here can tell you the right decision to make. If you have worked for the RR for a few years and like it, but your heart still tells you that you want to be in LE do what makes you happy.

There is no worse feeling in the world than getting up in the morning, and going to a job that you dont really like, and having a little voice in the back of your head always telling you "what if..."

If you are set on getting into CJ and possible being an LEO, go get your degree. Bigger cities will usually take people who dont have a degree because they need the man power. But from my personal experience and talking to friends that I went to college with get you degree! A couple of my buddies applied in Mesa, AZ and said that the word got out, and other departments in the area were fighting over them since they already had their degree. If they were hired, they would start at a wage that a person w/o a degree wouldnt see until they had 3 years in. And their payrate would continue to go up faster than that of the officers w/o their education done.

If the RR has their own LEO types, look into it. The RR has great retirement and you could possibly be getting the best of both worlds. Even better yet, you could talk to your supervisor and tell him that you are wanting to go back to school and get your CJ degree. Might be able to get your hours arranged so that you have time for classes. Also looks good to the company that you are staying loyal to them, and are looking to advance through the ranks.

All in all, do your homework before you make a decision.

My reguards, and the best of luck you now and in the future.

[jednp]

Speaking from personal experience, I say screw the UP. My dad has worked for them for 36 years. My brother has worked with them for 17 years. I worked for them for 6 months. I got injured and was fired for my injury. The company treats its employees like crap. I grew up in North Platte, NE. Home of the worlds largest railroad yard. There are about 3,000 UP employees there. So I know a thing or two about what the company is about. I honestly don't know ANYONE out there who enjoys their job. Sure they enjoy the money and benefits, but they aren't happy. The UP plays games with it's employees. They don't care one bit about whether or not you have any personal time. And they just love to harass you. But I suspect I may be preaching to the choir, if the UP there is anything like the UP in North Platte and Omaha.

It all boils down to whatever is most important to you. IF you can handle the BS the UP does the majority of the time, and you have a family that needs the great benefits, plus great retirement in the future.. on top of the great pay.. it might be worth sticking with the UP. I know my dad, years ago told my mom that he had a chance to become a conductor and go on the road, rather than work local in the yards. told her he'd be able to provide a better life for them and their future family as the pay was much greater. Dad has been able to provide an excellent life for us all. He's made very good money. But at the cost of stress and health problems from stress. Working long odd hours, very little sleep. Very little time spent at home.

If you don't have a family, and your heart is with being LEO.. it might be worth considering. But with as much as I hate the UP for how they treat their employees, they offer some of the best health benefits and retirement that there is. And the pay is top notch. Who on earth can complain about once in a while if you choose to.. being able to work an extra trip and bring home $2800 in 2 weeks. There's not many jobs that pay like that. You suffer in your personal life if you work like that all the time. That's why you just have to lay off when you've worked like a dog for too long.

So again, I say stay with the UP if you have a family who needs the benefits. Benefits are VERY important. My mom has had all sorts of health problems in her life. She's had probably close to $500,000 in medical bills.. possibly more. Without the UP insurance my dad wouldn't have been able to keep his head above water.

Possibly working for the UP police might be something you can do, as mentioned. I'm sure they pay well too. I don't know what they pay compared to an engineer's pay. Engineers make pretty damn good money.

[jednp]

Remember, the UP also will help pay for tuition. Letting them know you are interested in the UP police job might help too when it comes to having time to go to school. Truth be told though, you'd probably be forced to work in the yards.. if your town has railroad yards and positions available. Otherwise being on the road you wouldn't have time for school.

[Mercmar]

Go to law school and get a Fed l.e. job. If you do consider law school, you shouldn't be a c.j. major. Law school admissions committees rank that right down there with early childhood education.

[bizkit642]

Originally Posted by jednp

Speaking from personal experience, I say screw the UP. My dad has worked for them for 36 years. My brother has worked with them for 17 years. I worked for them for 6 months. I got injured and was fired for my injury. The company treats its employees like crap. I grew up in North Platte, NE. Home of the worlds largest railroad yard. There are about 3,000 UP employees there. So I know a thing or two about what the company is about. I honestly don't know ANYONE out there who enjoys their job. Sure they enjoy the money and benefits, but they aren't happy. The UP plays games with it's employees. They don't care one bit about whether or not you have any personal time. And they just love to harass you. But I suspect I may be preaching to the choir, if the UP there is anything like the UP in North Platte and Omaha.

It all boils down to whatever is most important to you. IF you can handle the BS the UP does the majority of the time, and you have a family that needs the great benefits, plus great retirement in the future.. on top of the great pay.. it might be worth sticking with the UP. I know my dad, years ago told my mom that he had a chance to become a conductor and go on the road, rather than work local in the yards. told her he'd be able to provide a better life for them and their future family as the pay was much greater. Dad has been able to provide an excellent life for us all. He's made very good money. But at the cost of stress and health problems from stress. Working long odd hours, very little sleep. Very little time spent at home.

If you don't have a family, and your heart is with being LEO.. it might be worth considering. But with as much as I hate the UP for how they treat their employees, they offer some of the best health benefits and retirement that there is. And the pay is top notch. Who on earth can complain about once in a while if you choose to.. being able to work an extra trip and bring home $2800 in 2 weeks. There's not many jobs that pay like that. You suffer in your personal life if you work like that all the time. That's why you just have to lay off when you've worked like a dog for too long.

So again, I say stay with the UP if you have a family who needs the benefits. Benefits are VERY important. My mom has had all sorts of health problems in her life. She's had probably close to $500,000 in medical bills.. possibly more. Without the UP insurance my dad wouldn't have been able to keep his head above water.

Possibly working for the UP police might be something you can do, as mentioned. I'm sure they pay well too. I don't know what they pay compared to an engineer's pay. Engineers make pretty damn good money.

Very well said. As a matter of fact, I go KC to Marysville. Really close to you.

-Andrew

[Jettubby]

Do what makes you happy. Chasing money will not make you happy.