More than half of U.S. workers are unhappy in their jobs. That’s because most of us don’t want just a job. We want a career that makes an impact we can be proud of. We want to feel that our contribution has value for us and others. Yet, turning an inherent desire to make a positive difference in the world into a successful occupation can feel harder than it should be. The change to a CHP career is likely far easier than you realize.
You Definitely Have What It Takes
You have strong leadership skills, an intuitive nature, a passion for the job, a commitment to see things through, and you know how to communicate well. However, not all jobs come with the career advancement or the pay and benefits that you deserve. Plus, not all jobs come with opportunities to relocate or change the pace of your workday.
A CHP Career Is Still Within Reach
The good news – it’s never too late to make a change. Plus, there are more ways to serve than ever, likely far more than you realize. A career in the CHP is a logical choice that combines an opportunity to make a living with the chance to enhance the lives of others. Along with excellent pay and benefits, it is rewarding in ways other careers could never be.
Benefits of a CHP Career
Law enforcement careers offer purpose, a chance to be a valued and respected member of a tight-knit team. With a career in the CHP, you can carry out your pursuit of public service and still enjoy endless opportunities to make a difference right in your own community.
The California Highway Patrol is among the top law enforcement agencies in the world and offers opportunities to do all of that and more. As a CHP officer, you can make a difference in your community while still earning a comfortable income and the opportunity to grow.
The CHP offers many different career paths to suit your passion in life and one of the best compensation packages in the state, including comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage for officers and their family. Not to mention, you’ll also receive paid training and an $117K+ average starting salary. That doesn’t even account for specialty pay incentives for things like having a degree or speaking a second language.
There Are a Wide Variety of CHP Positions
As an officer, you might work directly in communities or on the highway. You could also serve as a K-9 officer, in the air as a pilot or crew member, on motorcycles, with the SWAT Team, or on a bike in Downtown Sacramento.
The front lines are just one of the places to serve in the CHP. You could also work on big rigs at the Commercial Operations Unit, as a technician or investigator on the Hazardous Device Detail (aka the bomb squad), or as a background investigator, checking out potential new applicants. There are also officers who offer Dignitary Protection in both Los Angeles and Sacramento, and others that work on the Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team throughout the state.
Teachers may find a natural transition into a role as a Field Training Officer preparing CHP Academy graduates for the field or as an Academy Instructor training new recruits in the CHP Academy. There’s also a place for those with an automotive or mechanic background, preparing and maintaining the CHP’s fleet.
Check Out Your Options With the CHP
The CHP family comes from many walks of life, but there is one thing they all have in common – they want to make a positive difference.
At the CHP, you can finally do what makes you feel fulfilled without feeling like you’ve reached a roadblock, and that is the definition of a fulfilling career. It’s arriving home knowing that what you did that day truly made a difference for others. It’s a rare sense of satisfaction that’s uniquely rewarding.
Be a part of the CHP 1000, the more than 1000 new officers ready to contribute to their communities. Explore CHP careers and contact a recruiter to jump on career advancement opportunities that will give you more than what you’re looking for.
