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Live a Life of Intrigue with a Career as a Private Detective

Job Overview
Few job titles carry with them the ring of old-fashioned intrigue that can match that of private detective. But the work of private detectives is much more nuanced than the tinsel-town glamour would have you believe; it often involves long-term investigations, unhappy endings, and truly life-threatening situations. If this still sounds like your dream job, you may want to consider training to become such a detective. Private detectives help individuals, businesses, and attorneys find and analyze information. Much of their work is done conducting surveillance on computers, but they are often away from the office collecting information in a variety of environments. Their duties depend on the needs of their clients, and may include anything from working missing persons cases to investigating identity theft.

Educational & Experiential Requirements
Although there are no formal education requirements for most private detectives, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) findings show that the majority has some type of college degree, bachelor's being the most common. Experience in law enforcement, insurance, the military, or intelligence also makes for a solid background. Typical educational specializations for private detectives include:
  • Criminal justice
  • Political Science
  • Business administration
  • Law
  • Accounting
  • Computer science/forensics
43 states, including the District of Columbia, require private detectives to be licensed.

Job Outlook & Salary Information for Private Detectives
The BLS expects faster-than-average job growth for private detectives, due in large part to the standardization of employee background checks as well as the proliferation of criminal internet activity. Competition for jobs runs high, and computer forensic investigators are expected to enjoy the best prospects. 2008 earnings reports find private detectives earning a mean annual wage of $46,480.
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