Post by: Frances144 on January 26, 2007, 04:45:38 AM
She is very interested in being a forensic scientist (too much CSI!) and I wondered if anyone is one, knows one or could put me in the right direction.
She is also quite interested in being a Scenes of Crime Officer! So ditto for that too!
Thanks
Francesx
Post by: tacit on January 26, 2007, 12:47:50 PM
Post by: gunug on January 26, 2007, 08:33:18 PM
QUOTE
Now she's the lead singer of a band called the Genitorturers
Tacit - I thought that you were making up that group but now I know from Google that you're not!
IOD indeed!
Post by: jcarter on January 27, 2007, 08:27:34 AM
http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/faculty/nute/FScareers.html
It can be a part of law enforcement or a medical career, depending on how much education she has had. Has she completed medical school? Or looking to go directly into the field as a technician, or whatever. She should consult the guidance department, and do a lot of research before deciding.
I do know that DNA is now a large part of crime solving, a brutal murder was solved here in our area by this method.
All in all, I would think that this could be a very interesting career.
Jane
Post by: Frances144 on January 27, 2007, 09:30:35 AM
So she came up with Forensic scientist or Scene of Crime Officer - she loves CSI and loves the bits where they examine stuff.
So, hence the question......
IMO it is very difficult for kids to have to make these career decisions so young.
Thanks for all help.
Fx
Post by: jcarter on January 27, 2007, 10:02:21 AM
Lots of the bright kids will take up an interest very early as she has done, and turn it into a hobby of sorts.
I know this for a fact, as one of our youngsters was like this. And now she councils young high school girls who are interested in science and also judges at some of the science fairs. Much easier to raise kids like yours and ours, than some of the others who are 'partying' and getting arrested.
She sounds like a winner! Congrats.
Jane
Post by: Frances144 on January 27, 2007, 10:28:24 AM
Elder one is a great kid. No trouble, very clever, very intelligent - will go far.
Younger one is a nightmare - opened up Bebo account have been told she can't (she is 11 - you have to be 13, not that they check). Then lied about it. Then opened Hotmail account so I wouldn't know what was going on. Hah! She did not count on a Mac leaving a trail including passwords! Silly girl. Sadly, she is very clever and will rule the world, probably via a satellite link in a police cell. I blame her friends - they are beyond ghastly (little trampettes at 11 with boyfriends). I can only hope and pray that all my naggings will save her from them and she will see right from wrong.
Ah well, as long as they are happy, eh?
Fx
Post by: D76 on January 27, 2007, 11:57:54 AM
QUOTE(Frances144 @ Jan 27 2007, 10:30 AM) [snapback]117129[/snapback]
So she came up with Forensic scientist or Scene of Crime Officer - she loves CSI and loves the bits where they examine stuff.
She must know, of course, that most of the the whiz-bang gizmos on CSI are as fictional as the rapid results and the municipalities' budgets that would allow them to buy the stuff.This Wikipedia article blows the lid off the scandal of the millennium!! (and there's a lot of millennium left).
I found it with a search for CSI TV "the reality" that hauls up a lot of stuff. I can't find the story that laughs at the actors' use of flashlights. In that story, a real-life investigator says they turn on all the lights they can find. I saw an episode the other day where one of the "investigators" used her flashlight outside at mid-day.
The ultimate CSI: "Through a Glass Darkly." David Caruso is found dead, killed by the weight of thousands of sunglasses dumped from an aircraft on his head by an evil mobster living in a shack in the Florida Everglades, and who's running a New York crime family via a 7-Eleven blister-pack prepaid cellphone purchased in Las Vegas.
This would allow all the stars of all the shows to appear together in this grand-finalé two-hour sunglasses spectacle. Despite being dead, Caruso would have lots of screen time through the use of heavily filtered flashbacks and zooming macro animations of sunglasses nosepieces slicing through molecules of air as they fall from the plane.
The audience, though, is disappointed when it turns out Caruso isn't dead. It was only a ruse to trace the mobster's cell-phone call to a florist shop that he phoned to supply flowers at the funeral, a tradition among mobsters that all CSI investigators know about because they watched The Untouchables. Caruso had merely been hidden away in a morgue's body drawer — after borrowing an overcoat and mitts from one of the New York CSIers. He passed the time by using his flashlight to read books.
As the credits roll, hilarious out-takes loaded with censoring bleeps are shown of Caruso stabbing himself in the eye as he puts on his sunglasses.
Complete DVD sets will include "CSI: Behind the Scenes," in which each actor praises to the skies the abilities of each of the others, and with each telling of the rare and marvellous chemistry that grew among them that made the shows such a success.
But the shows never disappear, of course. Your great-great grandchildren will be watching them on Spike TV, sandwiched between Star Trek episodes and I Love Lucy marathons. Like us, how lucky they'll be.
Post by: jcarter on January 27, 2007, 01:14:50 PM
They are allowed to watch DVDs and movies on their computers. And when they visit the grandparents, they are allowed to watch our TV, but we have to approve of the show.
I think that many of the TV programs nowadays, are giving the children a very warped idea of reality.
Thats why we have to censor so very carefully. There is a lot of good stuff, but you have to find it. I think there is a way to block channels, but since we only have one TV and its in the living room, there is no way that they can sneak onto the crappy channels. And they dont know that they are there, yet,,,,,,,
Jane
Post by: Paddy on January 27, 2007, 03:19:30 PM
The one caveat about a career in forensics is that it has become extremely popular in the past few years, due entirely to the popularity of the CSI empire. Might be worth checking to see just how many jobs there actually are in the field. And also, make sure that she understands that the stuff you see on TV bears little resemblance to real life!!
Post by: Frances144 on January 27, 2007, 03:30:47 PM
You mean that isn't real life drama?
I know what you mean about creeping about in daylight with a flashlight. They used to do that all the time in X-files. Turn the bloody light on!
Anyway, I think elder daughter will change her mind with the wind a few more times before she settles into a decision!
Meanwhile, we may steer her into a job as a lawyer, as her younger sister will probably need a good one soon!
Cheers all.
Francesx
Post by: dboh on January 27, 2007, 06:02:34 PM
QUOTE(D76 @ Jan 27 2007, 01:57 PM) [snapback]117148[/snapback]
The ultimate CSI: "Through a Glass Darkly." David Caruso is found dead, killed by the weight of thousands of sunglasses dumped from an aircraft on his head…
Good one! He must meaningfully remove his sunglasses two or three times per show! He's got to be the silliest-looking actor on TV today.
Post by: Shades of Gray on January 27, 2007, 07:25:36 PM
Post by: gunug on January 27, 2007, 08:15:51 PM
I also figure the Caruso's wife would've done herself in if someone hadn't killed her; he would make anyone crazy!
Post by: jcarter on January 27, 2007, 08:35:59 PM
And I do know that kids need to be steered towards science and reality, and not TV.
Jane
Post by: FLASH1296 on January 29, 2007, 09:28:57 AM
I am a retired forensic psychologist.
These jobs are NOTHING like television/cinema portrayals.
A career that pays poorly, has weird hours, is disgusting, etc. is what you have here.
Basically, nearly all forensic officers are part of your State Police (or County Sherriff's Dept. or big city P.D.) You start as an officer, gain a few years of law enforcement experience, and only then look to study and take exams to qualify for the specialty. You do not simply fill out a job application seeking such a position.
Yes you have a child who has seen too much T.V. and like most has been manipulated into believing that the glamorous exciting romantic televised worlds have more than a very remote relationship to reality.
Tell her "fuggedaboudit" and she will imagine that that indicates that she has made a fine choice and will cling to her fantasy all the more urgently.
With any luck at all, she will mature. You failed to give her age. I am hoping (for the sake of you and your daughter) that she is but 15 years old.
Post by: Paddy on January 29, 2007, 09:53:05 AM
Frances, here's a very good overview of requirements (at least in the US) for the various specialties and a few comments on what the jobs actually entail:
http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/faculty/nute/FScareers.html
More: http://courses.missouristate.edu/MichaelCa...20forensics.htm
http://www.careerprospects.org/briefs/P-S/...Forensics.shtml
UK-oriented: http://www.forensic.gov.uk/forensic_t/insi...areer/c_faq.htm
Post by: Epaminondas on January 29, 2007, 02:29:03 PM
But really - a kid does not have exposure to the existence of that many jobs.
Teachers, what Mom and Dad do, relatives, television, everyday life.
How to widen a child's horizons beyond teacher / doctor / lawyer / policeman / ice skater / rock star / drug dealer?
Hmmm . . .
There are various books that can be helpful in helping to widen a young person's horizons - beyond what they see on television - in regard to possible career choices. A few examples:
http://www.amazon.com/Occupational-Outlook...TF8&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/College-Majors-Handb...2241202-4363654
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Jobs-21st-Centu...TF8&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Jobs-Without-Fo...TF8&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/200-Best-Jobs-Colleg...TF8&s=books
I bought a different one of the above (a total of two books) for each of my somewhat aimless nephews as high school graduation presents a few years back. I got a call at that time from their father thanking me - the young gentlemen would not listen to their parents about such matters, but they were greedily absorbing the books sent by their doting Uncle Epaminondas.
Go figure.
Or - a call to any high school guidance counselor might give you some beginning guidance on how to help broaden your child's choices.
One trap that I have noticed in kids choosing careers that I try to help them to avoid -
A lot of kids choose a career without ever having talked to anyone who actually does that very deed.
It can be kinda pathetic.
If your child seems to be wandering down a career path in cloistered ignorance, try to get them talking to someone who is in the same career for that 'ol sobering reality check.
I see a lot of people – particularly at the two year associate degree level - going into work that they later regret.
But they never checked it out before diving in!
Once they are in - it is too late to change direction.
I try to convince them otherwise, but -
Married, kids, and living paycheck-to-paycheck – still paying off educational loans -
You can see how they might feel a little stuck.
Good luck -
Epaminondas
Post by: Frances144 on January 29, 2007, 04:22:51 PM
I live on a small island with 22,000 people and that is it (plus some sheep).
She sees as much life as there is about but, believe me, there is not much.
This is a very bright, above average bright, kid. The reason I asked you guys is because I was going to "try to get them talking to someone who is the same career for that 'ol sobering reality check". As you can imagine, there are not that many forensic folk here (still lots of sheep).
My daughter is young. She is 13 (for those that did not read my original posts). She needs to see life, she needs to try it out. She is luckier than most by not living in surroundings full of materialism and want. We do not have high street shops, we do not have any fast-food joints and we all get along fine.
I also think that the career I chose at the age of 17 is certainly not the one I ended up doing. I don't know many who are.
All I want is for my daughter to have knowledge so that she can make real choices and also to know she is not stuck, never stuck, doing something she does not want to do.
Most of all I want her to be happy and if, by using my contacts in the big bad world, I can guide her towards that, I am doing my job as a mother.
fx
Post by: Paddy on January 29, 2007, 04:46:09 PM
I think it's almost a given, that apart from some very demanding fields like medicine, with the associated long training period, many people will have more than one career, or follow different paths at different times within a chosen field. Things have changed since the WWII vets came home and went to work for the same company that they retired from 35 or 40 years later. My dad, a mechanical engineer (now 86) worked for Honeywell all his life. He was not unusual for his generation. My husband, an electrical engineer, has worked in industry, gone back to school and acquired a PhD, been a professor at Oregon State and is now back working in industry. Friends from OSU have followed similar paths. Another friend was a professor in Canada, worked in industry for about 7 years in the US and is now back at another university in Canada as a professor. That's staying within the same general field - there are many other stories; a friend who is a practicing lawyer is now going to divinity school and hopes to become a Unitarian minister; my sister who obtained a forestry degree and worked for various government departments and industry and then returned to school for a teaching degree and has been teaching school for the past 15 years; another friend who was in banking is almost finished a nursing degree...and on and on.
As our former assistant superintendent of schools was fond of saying "we've got to prepare children to be lifelong learners."
Post by: kelly on February 24, 2007, 12:33:07 PM
CSI Miami - Endless Caruso One Liners
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sarYH0z948
Post by: Frances144 on February 24, 2007, 01:39:04 PM
Fx
PS. Just watched it, and I think I will give up the job of being a housewife horse trainer and re-train to put my sunglasses on and then say something meaningful, while I wait for my life soundtrack to scream while I change scenes.
Real life is such a disappointment. Perhaps I can fix my iPod to be my life's soundtrack.
Fx
Post by: kelly on February 24, 2007, 01:45:52 PM
Post by: RHPConsult on February 24, 2007, 05:17:59 PM
All of the “sociology of careers” that I can recall assert that the World of Tomorrow, i.e. today, will likely have people pursuing several careers in their “working” lives.
When I was a boy in the 1930s, I heard no discussion(s) about changing careers, yet here I am in my 4th, or maybe 3.75, @ 78!
Our children (approaching or just into their 50s) are working/experienced on/in 2 or more.
So the best advice is that offered by Paddy: Check general inclinations/interests and pursue general education with a breadth of exposure across the body of knowledge . . . science, math engineering . . . arts, music, literature . . . business . . . and let the details arise from experience and exposure.
From this distance, a school giving a 13 year-old an occupational interest inventory is close to nonsensical . . . but then, I’m 150 deg of longitude (mol) distant!