Philadelphia PI Suggests Finding A Job While Attending College
Jeffrey Stein has more than 20 years of experience in investigative and security services. He is a licensed professional investigator in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from West Chester University. Stein currently sits as president on the board of the West Chester University Alumni Association. He has advanced training in interviewing and interrogation techniques and attended New Jersey State Police Academy, Municipal Class located in Sea Girt, NJ. Stein is a Board Certified Criminal Defense Investigator, and also an active member of IntelleNet, a prestigious international network of investigators and sits on their board of directors. He is also the current president of the Pennsylvania Association of Licensed Investigators and currently works for www.elpspda.com
What sort of education is needed to secure a good job in your field?
"Each state has different laws and requirements. In Pennsylvania, currently there are no requirements for a college degree based on the Private Detective Act of 1953 (This is the current law that governs PI's in Pennsylvania). The PDA of 1953 requires that individuals have three years full-time investigative experience to receive a Private Detective License from the state of PA. However, some Private Investigation firms may require a college degree, when hiring employees. I personally like hiring college graduates. This is not mandatory but a plus for being hired by my company. A solid education and post high school education will always be a plus and preferred in the criminal justice field. There are also different specialties for Private Investigators. Some conduct general investigations. Others specialize in one particular field of investigations. If you specialize in a particular area, you will need advanced training/education in that particular area. Even tenured Private Investigators continue to take specialized courses and training to advance their knowledge and education. I have a B.S. in criminal justice from West Chester University."
What is the most challenging aspect of being a detective?
"A GOOD detective needs to be street smart, quick on his feet, a fast thinker and someone who can read people well. There are many challenges, one of the biggest is dealing with different types of people, personalities, law enforcement and non-law enforcement. The bottom line is being able to uncover the truth and identify the facts."
After graduation, how hard was it to transition to the actual working world?
"For me, it was not very difficult because I worked during college in the criminal justice field, so it was not a very difficult transition for me. My experience with the younger generation is more difficult as things are different now vs. when I grew up. New grads want to dictate their schedule, turn down work and expect to start at the top as opposed to working their way through the ranks. I would work when I was told and rarely if ever turned down an assignment."
What advice would you give someone who is pursuing a career in this field?
"It is a great profession, my professional advice is to work hard in school, always try your best. Do the right thing even when no one is looking. Apply for investigative positions while in college or do an internship with a private investigator, retailer, an insurance company or of course law enforcement agency. Be willing to work hard, long hours, nights and weekends. Hard work, a positive attitude, and a good work ethic will always reap the benefits over someone who does just enough to get by."
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.