Will a career in real estate work for you? It can be an exciting and challenging career change. Deciding on whether or not a real estate career will work for you depends on your personality. You will discover a new level of independence at work and there will always be new challenges.
Before you dive in, consider some of the pros and cons of a career in real estate.
Pros of Becoming a Real Estate Agent:
1) Money – Real estate agents work on a commission. Whenever you sell (or help your clients buy) property, you earn a percentage of that sale. Given that property is usually the most expensive purchase and investment the average family makes, that’s a large chunk of change. There’s no salary cap. If you can find a way to make a million dollars on commissions, there’s no one to put a cap on your earnings the way there would be in a salary job.
2) You’re Your Own Boss – Working as your own boss, you’ve got an unprecedented level of freedom to come and go as you please and vacation when you want.
3) Excitement – Real estate agents are constantly on the move. They’re always out there meeting new people and making new deals. If you’re the type to get bored at a desk job where every day feels the same, a real estate career will shake things up.
4) Knowledge & Experience Pay Off – The more you know, the more you sell. If you love to learn new things and experience more, it’s a career path that will pay off. You will have the chance to become an expert, not just on a neighborhood or types of property, but how to work with people and make sales.
Cons of a Real Estate Career:
1) Getting Started – The flipside of working in a commission-based industry is that it takes time to get started. If you’re working for yourself, there’s no one to pay your salary when you’re not making sales. It will take time before you can find clients and make sales, so be prepared financially to survive until you get the ball rolling. Many people start off part-time until their careers develop.
2) You Need Discipline – The downside to working as your own boss is that you need discipline. No one’s going to make sales and put money in your pocket if you’re spending all your time at the beach.
3) You Need to Know when to Take a Break – For others, the problem might be the exact opposite. If you’ve got a workaholic streak, you’ll need to discipline yourself to put the work away when it’s time to rest and recharge. Find a way to disconnect from your job and relax.
Real estate can be an incredibly rewarding career if you’ve got the personality to thrive in an environment where you’re independent and constantly meeting new challenges. Earning your real estate license is something you can do quickly and cheaply. With online real estate schools like RealEstateU, it doesn’t take long to start getting your real estate license.
Don’t worry if you’re not an expert in homes or home renovation. Your ability to tell whether a home has hard or soft water will not determine your success as an agent. The ability to work with people, work hard and go above and beyond for your clients will ultimately matter much more! However, the more knowledgeable you are in all facets of real estate, the better you will be at ensuring your clients make educated, long-term decisions.
Once you sign up for online real estate classes, you’re free to complete them at your own pace. They will prepare you for your state real estate license exam, and most states require you to complete the courses before you try writing the exam. With online real estate courses from real estate, you get all the resources you need to succeed at your exam, including video/audio lectures, a 200-page PDF textbook, and lessons from top real estate experts.
Get started on your career change today. Sign up for online real estate classes and be your own boss.
I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.
At one point or another, we have all complained about our bosses. It seems to go with the territory, the usual water cooler chit-chat. But there's a difference between getting upset over the overtime your boss made you work to actually working for a bad boss.
How can you tell the difference? Is there a way to know if you're just being picky or if your boss is crossing the line?
The answer is yes. There are several things you can watch out for to determine if you are indeed working for a bad boss.
Let's discuss 9 signs to be on the lookout for, to help you learn more about the behavior you shouldn't have to put up within the workplace.
1. They Don't Motivate You :
A good boss is a leader that loves to motivate their team. To see everyone succeed and enjoy what they do. And they'll show this by continually being there to give you feedback, support you, and motivate you to do your job well.
If this doesn't sound like your boss, you and your team may have a problem. Their priorities are elsewhere and not in providing good leadership.
2. They Are Unreliable :
A bad boss will tell you she'll get back to you on your report, but you never receive any feedback. She'll give her word that she'll attend a particular meeting but never shows up. She will promise to call you back, but your phone never rings.
If you can't rely on your boss for even the littlest things, how in the world can you rely on them for the bigger, important things?
You don't want to work for a boss who can't keep their word. Trust is so important, especially when it comes to leadership.
3. They Have Unrealistic Expectations :
It's one thing to set high goals for you and your co-workers to strive towards when it comes to working performance. It's quite another when those goals are far too out of reach and downright unrealistic to achieve.
When your boss sets unrealistic expectations, it shows they have their own agenda, and not what's best for the team at heart. This can bring the morale of the workplace way down and make you dread going to work.
And life's too short to work for someone like that.
4. They Avoid All Conflict :
Another sign of a bad boss is one who can't stand up and face a difficult situation.
Whether they avoid having to fire a lazy co-worker, unwilling to deal with an angry client, or refusing to confront another associate who is breaking company policy. It's a major weakness that can't be ignored.
A good boss will be able to stand up and deal with any situation that comes their way. They will lead by example. And that is who you want to work for.
5. They Get Defensive :
Have you ever seen your boss get defensive in a meeting when confronted about one of their ideas? Or lash out when they are questioned about something they did?
This is a bad sign that they can't take criticism.
You want a boss who is able to take the good with the bad. To be able to thoroughly listen to other ideas and be open-minded to other possibilities and ways of doing things.
And you want them to foster open communication throughout the workplace, instead of having people be scared of being honest.
6. The Rule by Fear :
If you've ever seen the movie The Devil Wears Prada, you're familiar with the mass panic that breaks out when the boss walks into the office. Everyone runs to hide or cleans up before they get yelled at, or are afraid to even be in the same elevator with her.
No one should have to work in that kind of environment. That's a dictator, not a boss. And it makes for a toxic workplace.
That's a situation you need to run from. Immediately.
7. They Don't Communicate Clearly :
Having a boss who doesn't communicate clearly can make for a very frustrating work environment!
You'll think you're on the right path in a project, then be told by your boss that he actually wanted it done another way. Or they are so vague with instructions or feedback, you're not sure what you just listened to.
A good boss will effectively lead their team down a clear path with clear goals. A bad boss will leave everyone floundering around in the dark.
8. They Always Seem to Disappear :
Does your boss seem to disappear for hours at a time, without telling anyone where they're going?
When you need them, are you able to get ahold of them no matter where they might be?
While at first, it may seem like a fun idea to have a boss that's always gone, in reality, it can cause a lot of issues in the workplace. When something comes up that needs immediate attention and it's a situation that only your boss can handle, you need to be able to count on them to be there for your team.
9. Your Gut Instinct Tells You So :
That little voice inside your head is there for a reason. If it keeps warning you that something isn't right, you may want to pay attention.
Don't ignore that sense of dread you have every time you go into the office. Don't brush off the feeling that something is off. If you feel like you're working for a bad boss, you likely are... and it's time to get out.
Life Is Too Short To Work for a Bad Boss :
If any of these warning signs apply to your work situation, it may be time to look for a new job. You spend a majority of your time working, so don't waste another minute of it working for a bad boss. You deserve better than that.
Ready to kick that job search into high gear? Be sure to read our tips on how to get your resume noticed!
Read Also :
Go For A Better Legal Job In 2018!
Ten Interview Tips That Might Surprise You: The Medical Edition
The Significance Of Face-To-Face Networking For Freelancers
Is Steel/Iron Ore A Good Career Path in 2021? How many jobs are available in the Steel/Iron Ore industry? What are the best paying jobs in the steel/iron ore sector?
Let’s discuss these queries in detail.
Iron is important to the global economy as it is one of the crucial elements in making steel. The US economy depends heavily on its steel industry as several goods are made up of steel and processed by steel machinery.
Steel plays the most vital role in building the backbone of the global economy, and this is why iron has the highest demand at present, and its value is also huge.
Steel/Iron Ore - All You Need To Know
Steel is produced from iron ore, a compound of oxygen, iron, and other minerals that transpires in nature. The raw materials used in steelmaking are mined and transformed into steel. According to our research, it takes around 1.6 tons of iron ore to produce one ton of steel.
The demand for individuals working in the steel/iron ore or metal industry is very high, and this is certainly going to increase in the long run.
Iron ore is used to make steel. It is initially mined from the ground and then refined in blast furnaces where the contaminants are eliminated, and carbon is added.
Almost 98% of iron ore is converted into pig iron to make steel, which is then used in household appliances, energy infrastructure, transportation, and construction.
Is Steel/Iron Ore A Good Career Path In 2021?
The answer to this question is an absolute Yes. Steel is one of the basic building blocks of the modern world. This manufacturing industry has existed for centuries, and the process of making steel continues to evolve. Buildings, oil pipelines, bridges, appliances, automobiles, etc, are made up of steel.
Employment in the steel industry is broken into two main categories such as ferroalloy and iron and steel mills. As long as the world needs steel, iron ore will be required in a large amount.
There are iron deposits all over the globe, with the United States, Brazil, Australia, and Canada being the largest producing countries. Thus, the demand for people in this sector is high, and you can consider your career path in the same.
How Many Jobs Are Available In The Steel/Iron Ore Industry?
As of 2021, there are around 4.4k individuals employed in the iron ore mining industry in the United States. The normal iron ore mining company in the United States has 244.7 workers. There are more than one lakh employees working in the steel/iron ore industry, and their mean annual wage is $56,940.
Now, let’s discuss the best paying jobs in the steel/iron ore industry.
i). Construction Materials Testing Technician
Construction Materials Testing Technician performs several tests on construction materials such as asphalt, concrete, aggregates, sand, reinforcing steel, soils, etc.
You need to follow all the guidelines and implement a stand-by level program to make sure the employees get the health insurance benefits during regional work shortages.
ii). General Production Worker
The General Production Worker performs general store duties to support the build of Heat Transfer Products.
Your responsibility is to clean, insulate, label products, package materials to prevent damage, effectively build skids, prepare fabrications, and clean steel fabrications.
iii). Iron Technician
Iron Technician is one of the best paying jobs in the steel/iron ore industry. As a team leader, you must promote a positive work environment and must be able to read and write correctly.
You also need to understand the differences of all characteristics and also the high-pressure parts. Furthermore, you need to promote a positive work environment, and a high school diploma is usually required to get qualified for this post.
iv). Conductor
The Conductor is accountable for regulating the activities of the train crew on freight trains and movements across the network.
You need to maintain awareness of the surrounding area, monitor track conditions, make decisions, properly operate track switches, ensure compliance with all train orders, etc.
v). Plumber
A plumber is also a great career path in the steel/iron ore field. You must have the ability to install/repair water supply piping, fixture traps, stormwater piping, and much more.
As a Plumber, you need to plan installations by studying blueprints and work sketches to determine the type of pipe, repair, perform preventive maintenance work to all stretchers, carriages, hospital beds, etc.
Closing Thoughts
Is Steel/Iron Ore A Good Career Path in 2021? I have tried my best to give an answer to your above question. Starting your career in the steel industry can help you gain experience in this industry. These skills are beneficial in home furnishings, home building, auto parts OEM., industrial machinery, oil & gas production, precious metals, etc. Besides, let me know your doubts in the comment section below if you come across any.
Read Also:
Is Photography A Good Career Path?
Is Commercial Banks A Good Career Path In 2021?
Is Major Banks A Good Career Path In 2021?
Is Home Furnishings A Good Career Path In 2021?
When you hear the term "detective," you might think of the fast-paced, well-groomed characters from television series. True detective work demands extreme patience, rigorous investigation, and unwavering ethics; it is very different from the glamorous portrayals in the media. The process of solving cases can take months or even years, during which time a lot of time is spent sifting through files, documents, and photos.
On top of that, solving cases may expose investigators to potentially dangerous people and situations. Notwithstanding the difficulties, though, working as a detective can be fulfilling because it offers the intense sense of accomplishment that results from cracking cases and giving victims closure.
Despite the overlap in their areas of expertise, private investigators (PIs) and police detectives are two different professions. Police detectives usually obtain investigative experience through their work in law enforcement and become detectives as a promotion through the agency. This is according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022).
At work, they might interview witnesses or suspects, look through documents, gather and meticulously record evidence, write reports, watch subjects at work, secure crime scenes, obtain arrest warrants, assist in apprehending offenders, and also testify as experts in court.
In contrast, private investigators, or PIs, are citizens who usually require state licensure. They gain experience in obtaining legal, financial, and personal information about their clients through surveillance and background checks. They also participate in missing person tracking, snooping for hints in documents, and speaking with relevant individuals. Detectives can focus on corporate malpractice, insurance fraud, computer forensics, and other areas.
There are a hoard of professional courses you can do, and your scope is equally varied. Keep reading to learn about the salary detectives draw and the qualifications, training, and personality needed to enter this field. Here is everything you need to know about how to become a detective.
Skills To Become a Detective
Most prosperous detectives are inquisitive, meticulous, and diligent. Perseverance may also be crucial because solving crimes isn't always a straight line or a quick process. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the following abilities are critical for successful detective work:
Communication skills: When speaking with witnesses, victims, and possible offenders, detectives need to pay close attention to what they are saying, ask the right questions, and be aware of nonverbal cues.
Decision-making skills: Detectives need to be able to make decisions quickly and calmly, especially when someone's life is in danger or when acting quickly can lead to the discovery of information that can help solve a crime.
Curiosity: Skilled investigators possess an innate ability to solve puzzles and can consider potential reasons behind a crime as well as determine the means of commission.
Perseverance: As mentioned earlier, solving a crime can take several months or even years. Crimes go unsolved occasionally, turning into cold cases that may be reopened years later, particularly with the development of forensic technologies like DNA testing.
Resourcefulness: Although detectives always need to be quick on their feet and adhere to protocol, they also need to be able to solve crimes by using their intuition and the resources at hand.
How To Become a Detective?
There are several ways to become a detective or private investigator (PI), but they all involve a consistent mix of classroom learning and real-world investigative experience. If you want to know how to become a detective, then this is one standard way:
Step 1: Complete your four years of high school
At this point, prospective detectives are advised to cultivate critical thinking, deductive reasoning, and inductive reasoning. To obtain practical experience in the field, some students might look for volunteer opportunities. They can do it through their local police departments, community organizations, or federal agencies.
For instance, high school students who are interested can enroll in the FBI's week-long Future Agents in Training (FAIT) program. Similarly, eligible high school and college students can apply for the Pathways Internship Program offered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Step 2: Complete degree program in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, or related field
Many police academies require at least some college to qualify. Whereas some police academies may be able to accept prospective police detectives directly. Eileen Carlin is a state coordinator for Rasmussen College's School of Justice Studies and a 20-year law enforcement veteran. According to him, most departments prefer detectives with two- to four-year college degrees.
Step 3: Complete a police academy and gain investigative experience
The next step for someone who wants to work as a police detective is to enroll in a police academy. This is an option that can be more profitable than working as a private investigator (PI).
The qualifications for a police academy differ depending on the department and area, but applicants must be US citizens, be at least eighteen years old, have a driver's license, have never been convicted of a felony, and have some college experience.
Note that most state as well as federal agencies require a minimum of four years of undergraduate study. Typically lasting six to eight months, police academy programs provide specialized training in the use of firearms, patrol procedures, ethics, self-defense, writing reports, CPR and first aid, physical fitness, and emergency response.
Aspiring detectives can enhance their resumes by pursuing advanced training and responsibilities in investigative units after graduating from the academy. Homicide, surveillance, fraud, cybercrimes, financial crimes, and missing persons are among the different investigation branches.
Step 4: Private investigator's (PIs) licensure and on-the-job investigative experience
Prior to receiving a license, private investigators frequently need to have investigative experience gained through on-the-job training. Before being issued a license to operate, a prospective PI must first fulfill the eligibility standards of their home state, pass an exam, and finish additional state-mandated requirements. The number of hours required for this type of work varies depending on the state.
After receiving their full license, the PI may choose to focus on specific investigation fields, such as litigation support, insurance claims, cybersecurity, and criminal investigations. An online resource for investigators, Pursuit Magazine (2022), notes that 46 states (as well as certain cities) require a license for private investigators to practice, and it offers a useful table of state-by-state private investigator licensure policies.
Step 5: Police detective exam for professional certification
Both private investigators and police detectives can obtain certifications. For investigators with a focus on criminal defense or negligence, the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI) offers the Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) credential.
Candidates for the CLI program must pass an exam with a minimum score of 70%, finish a 1,000-word research paper on investigations, and have at least five years of full-time experience (or qualify through appropriate academic coursework). Every three years, CLIs must complete 50 hours of continuing education (CE) to keep their certification.
For investigators who specialize in security, ASIS International offers the Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) certification. Candidates must have five years of investigative experience (two of which must be in case management) and a high school diploma to be eligible. People's knowledge of case management, investigative techniques and procedures, and case presentation is tested on a 140-question exam.
Step 6: Local credentialing
State-specific requirements may differ for becoming a detective. The procedures to enter the state's detective division may differ as well. Because most states have distinct standards for becoming police officers.
Generally, some police departments only accept a GED or high school certificate. Others demand a two- or four-year college degree, as well as certain college courses. For instance, you need a high school degree or GED to work in the Los Angeles Police Department Detective Bureau. Here, the first promotion after completing officer training is detective or sergeant.
However, candidates must have completed two years of military service or 60 college credits to be considered for employment with the New York Police Department. Candidates from Dallas, Texas, between 21 and 44, must have a 2.0 GPA and 45 semester credits (college-level).
In contrast, candidates in Miami, Florida, must obtain a GED or a high school diploma and pass the Florida Basic Abilities Test (FBAT), a law enforcement exam. To put it briefly, state requirements for becoming a detective differ greatly. Moreover, it is advised that prospective candidates check their eligibility by contacting their local government offices.
Institutions to Consider
When you are looking for more details regarding how to become a detective, the consequent thought to follow it up is which are the top colleges and universities offer the relevant courses. Here are some premier institutions that you should check out.
California State University
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in criminal justice is also offered by California State University in San Bernardino (CSUSB). It combines structured coursework in criminal law and statistics in criminal justice. It also has correctional counseling with beneficial research and internship opportunities.
Graduates from this program will be well-versed in the criminal justice system, how it functions, and how laws, as well as law enforcement, affect society.
The program, which is worth 120 credits, consists of classes on topics like criminal law, research methodologies in criminal justice, statistics in criminal justice, police and police systems, theories of correctional theory and institutions, crime and delinquency, police and police systems, and criminal investigations, among other things. If you are seriously looking for the answer to how to become a detective, then CSU is your top bet.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Many respectable undergraduate degrees with criminology, criminal justice, and criminal justice management majors are offered by this institution. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science (BS) in criminal justice program. They will receive specialized training in constitutional law, police and community relations, and the law and politics of racial relations. It lays special emphasis on institutional theory and practice.
The 120-credit program comprises courses like:
Drugs, Crime, and Law in Latin America
Police and Urban Communities
An Introduction to Corrections
An Introduction to Police Studies
Criminology
Community-Based Approaches to Justice
Police and the American Criminal Justice System
Pennsylvania State University
Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs and Penn State World Campus have partnered to offer an online associate in science (AS) degree in criminal justice through Pennsylvania State University. Through this program, students will acquire the abilities and information required to start or progress in a variety of criminal justice and social services careers.
The 64 credits that make up the program include the following courses among others:
Criminology
Policing in America
Courts and the prosecution process
Corrections in America
Introduction to ethics
Race
Ethnicity
Culture
Statistical Analysis for the social sciences
Research methods in criminal justice
Graduates of this program will be prepared to work in the legal and correctional fields, protective services, security management, social services, court administration, and other related fields, serving both public and private interests.
How To Become a Detective: Specializations?
Depending on the county as well as the state, police detectives may be able to choose a specialization within their detective division. Additionally, because of compliance regulations and technological advancements, ongoing training might be required. Certain departments might also conduct ongoing research, design, and implementation of improvement strategies. This is done to improve the caliber of their investigative methods and procedures.
Some of these specializations or divisions, which are typically headed by lieutenants, captains, or commanders, are listed below:
Homicide and Robbery: Detectives assigned to the Homicide and Robbery unit will concentrate on cases involving murders, suspicious deaths, kidnappings, and robberies.
Forensics: This section examines the digital and tangible evidence discovered at crime scenes.
Juvenile: Investigators work on cases involving minors, including those involving child abuse and exploitation.
Gangs and Narcotics: These detectives deal with violent street gangs and the use and distribution of illicit substances and weapons.
Commercial: In addition to auto theft, commercial crimes can also involve fraud and cases of forgery.
Technical Investigation: Financial crimes and online crimes against minors fall under the purview of this investigative division.
Detective Support and Vice: This division deals with pornography, animal abuse, human trafficking, missing people, and hate crimes.
Special Victims Unit: Also known as SVU, these detectives investigate violent crimes against adults, including sexual assault, domestic abuse, and crimes against children.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Detective?
In general, there are many different routes to becoming a police detective. But it can take five to eight years to advance from police officer to detective after earning a high school degree or GED. The BLS (2022) states that to become a detective, a person must complete high school or earn a GED. Most will do so by earning an associate or bachelor's degree in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, or a similar discipline.
Moreover, passing physical exams, background checks, and other requirements is necessary for prospective officers to be considered as competitive applicant in a police department. Candidates may occasionally attend a police academy to receive additional training after being hired as police officers. Academies differ in duration depending on the department, city, and state. Basic police training takes place in Portland, or, for 16 weeks, while it takes place in San Jose, CA, for 0 weeks.
In addition, prospective detectives need to work as police officers for at least three years after completing a police academy to be promoted to detective. Officers who want to advance in the police department must pass exams and/or review their service history.
How Much Do Detectives Earn?
It's crucial to remember that four of the states with the highest salaries in the US also have the highest cost of living. To illustrate the point, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2023) discovered that among the top fifteen most expensive states are Alaska, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Hawaii, and Washington. In contrast, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Alabama were the five states with the lowest cost of living.
Ultimately, over the next ten years, job growth rates for private investigators and police detectives are anticipated to be comparable. For example, in 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted that employment for police investigators (BLS) would increase by 3% and for investigators (PIs) by 6% between 2021 and 2031. This growth is almost equal to the average growth predicted for all occupations during that period (5%).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2022) makes a distinction between police detectives and private investigators. First, the following salary ranges were reported by the 32,050 private investigators and PIs in the United States:
Annual mean wage: $59,400
10th percentile: $33,710
25th percentile: $38,360
50th percentile (median): $52,120
75th percentile: $75,740
90th percentile: $92,660
In comparison, the salary ranges reported by criminal investigators and police detectives were significantly higher (BLS May 2022):
Employment: 107,400
Annual mean wage: $91,610
10th percentile: $47,990
25th percentile: $61,240
50th percentile (median): $86,280
75th percentile: $110,530
90th percentile: $150,570
Additionally, there's good news for Americans who want to work as federal agents nationwide: coastal states are home to the highest-paying states for criminal investigators and detectives (BLS May 2022):
District of Columbia: $133,890 annual average salary
Alaska: $128,410
Hawaii: $119,290
Maryland: $117,800
Washington: $110,620
If you were thinking about how to become a detective, the salary should be enough to push you towards achieving your target. It is a highly rewarding job, both morally and financially.
Wrapping Up
People who want to work in law enforcement and make their communities safer or who just have more questions about becoming detectives should check out the criminal justice degree programs offered by the various universities across the states.
If you want to serve your community and the nation at large, becoming a crime investigator in any capacity is very rewarding. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about how to become a detective, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
Learn More About:
6 Law Fields With High Demand In 2024
Building A Strong Defense Against False Sex Crime Accusations
Top 7 Reasons to Hire a Private Detective Agency During Divorce Cases
