How did you get into the Gardai?

googlefan

Hi, I'm a final year business student. I come from a middle class background where most people would never consider joining, so I suffer from stereotype issues so to speak. Always had the idea of joining the Gardai at the back of my mind, but never acted on it.

Did most of you always want to enter the profession or stumble into it?

If I entered I'd like to rise to a managerial role as I would in the business environment. While I'd like the idea of helping society and stopping crime, I'd wonder does working in this environment everyday take its toll? Does the initial thrill or enthuasism wear off?

I'd consider myself as a good candidate-good academically, good social skills and and intercounty GAA player! Are there many people with my background in the force?

Very broad thread, but I'd love to hear any stories you'd like to share.

goldie fish

Do you want to join or don't you?

SV

goldie fish wrote: »

Do you want to join or don't you?

Now why on earth would that matter or not?

I'd like to hear a few stories too, particularly deadwoods.

stateofchasis

That’s an awkward question for some members to answer. Gardai is similar to Fianna Fail in that it's a family business. Alot of it has to do with the notorious "Pull" factor i.e. is there anyone you know who is in a position of influence within the organization? This is even more prevalent within rural communities and families.

This can also be quite frustrating once you get into the organization, especially if you have ambitions to move up the ladder as the chances are you will be passed over for promotion by people who are less qualified than you purely on the basis of “Pull”.

Faheywitane

googlefan wrote: »

Hi, I'm a final year business student. I come from a middle class background where most people would never consider joining, so I suffer from stereotype issues so to speak. Always had the idea of joining the Gardai at the back of my mind, but never acted on it.

That statement is a tad condescending, Gardai come from all strata of
socity, I was also a final year business student when I joined, the
majority of people in my class have degrees or like me were in third
level education when they joined.

Did you previously believe that Gardai only came from the 'lower classes'?
If such a class exists....

djtechnics1210

googlefan wrote: »

I come from a middle class background where most people would never consider joining, so I suffer from stereotype issues so to speak.

That attitude will definitely not get you in.
Over the years i have worked with people who have come from lower, middle, upper class and even people that come from above upper class.

Doesnt matter what class your from once your good at the job.

What class you come from means nothing....
Theres a lot of homeless people that came from middle/upper class... very stereotypical :rolleyes:

kmart6

googlefan wrote: »

intercounty GAA player! Are there many people with my background in the force?

No offence but if you are truely an intercounty player surely you would have noticed how there is a huge amount of GAA players within the Gardaí!

seanybiker

goldie fish wrote: »

Do you want to join or don't you?

+1
I agree with this person.why does it matter what kind of backround you came from.
There is a "traveller" in the job now and I have heard noting but good things about him. There is also a son of a great guard in the job at the moment and I have heard nothing but bad things about him. Whats your
point?

djtechnics1210

googlefan wrote: »

I'd consider myself as a good candidate-good academically, good social skills and and intercounty GAA player! Are there many people with my background in the force?
.

Well i know of atleast one qualified doctor that is in AGS, i personally know a large amount of AGS that are qualified solicitors, teachers, accountants, chemical engineers, nurses to name a few professions.
The number of AGS male and female that are currently or were inter county footballers/hurlers at some stage in their life/career is huge.

So to answer your question = id say a very large of AGS members come from your "background".

googlefan

Apologies for appearing to be aloof in my message, but this is the harsh reality of where I come from. Most people where I live are bemused I play GAA and not cricket or hockey! My parents came from rural areas and we were never allowed to slip into this mindset growing up. However, that stereotype goes both ways, and people will often react in a different fashion when they ask where I come from.

Most of my college buddies were shocked when I mentioned the idea. So lads-forgive me, I'm a victim of my circumstances. Fact is most recruits come from rural areas and lads who weren't on the verge of becoming accountants or solicitors, despite the exceptions.

Murphy(Cork)

googlefan wrote: »

Fact is most recruits come from rural areas and lads who weren't on the verge of becoming accountants or solicitors, despite the exceptions.

Lad, you have to get your facts right before stereotyping all of us as 'Lower class people, who can't say our 'ABC's'.

I come from a place that is as urban as you get and have a degree in Engineering.

And the whole speech about being the best candidate with good social skills etc etc, let the interview panel be the judge of that.

Doesn't matter where you are from, I found your initial comment pointless and idiotic.

ScubaDave

Sorry lads, took me a while to catch up here.

I was too busy dropping the rest of my lower class family into the social welfare office before i tended my cattle in time to wash myself in the sink before i start my night shift!

Murphy(Cork)

ScubaDave wrote: »

Sorry lads, took me a while to catch up here.

I was too busy dropping the rest of my lower class family into the social welfare office before i tended my cattle in time to wash myself in the sink before i start my night shift!

It beats being in Dublin 4, playing cricket.

googlefan

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. Crowd of dopes.

I'm off to get myself a decent profession. Enjoy wrestling travellers on your night shift.

Murphy(Cork)

googlefan wrote: »

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. Crowd of dopes.

I'm off to get myself a decent profession. Enjoy wrestling travellers on your night shift.

Stereotyping again..

You must of been missing the day they taught business in your business course

TheNog

Thread closed. Pointless as it was

Shield

(and googlefan banned from Emergency Services!)