This is my first post here so let me say hello and I'm glad I've found this site. Hope to meet some friendly and knowledgeable folks here.
My name is Rob and I've been considering changing my major to forensic science at the local community college I've started attending but I have one major issue I'd like advice on:
I served four years in the U.S. Air Force and while there I was diagnose with severe situational depression (my wife was very sick at the time). I've been doing much better since she has recovered and doing well in the civilian world. My fear is this depression diagnosis might prevent me from doing anything in the C.J. field, including forensic science.
I've contacted the local department head for C.J. at the college I would have to finish my bachelors but he is very busy I'm told and I haven't heard anything for over a month. I confess I am anxious to hear what anyone thinks at this point about my concerns.
I plan on posting this in the career opportunity forums as well for as much feedback as possible and hoping between the two that this post will be in the right forum.
Firstly, sorry for my late reply but have only just checked the forum in quite some time. I would have to say if you have suffered depression that you would need to be very careful when doing forensic work. To start with, the pure nature of the work exposes you to trauma, sometimes daily and that in itself can be disturbing. It's human nature to express feelings and emotions when faced with adverse situations and forensic work certainly pushes the boundaries in this area.
If you have good support at home and with friends that can be most helpful but you must consider whether you want to expose yourself and family to the possibility of a relapse. I was passionate about forensic work but after fifteen years the end result was post traumatic stress and ultimately losing the career I loved.
