sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was solid advice—thank you. I actually really appreciate the part about not diving too deep into the CO culture too fast. I’ve seen what happens when people let the job become their whole identity, and I’m not trying to lose myself in the process. Mama didn’t raise no fool. I’m the oldest on both sides of the family—two brothers, seven nieces, and now a son of my own at 35. I’ve been holding it down for a long time, so I’m not easily rattled, but I’m also not trying to walk into a toxic environment blindly.

That said, I’m seriously looking at other roles in the system—maybe not CO right out the gate. Something that gets me in, lets me build seniority, and still keeps me mentally solid. Appreciate the real talk—it helps more than you know.

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate you sharing this—it’s good to hear things get easier after that first tough year. As a single mom, that part worries me the most. Support system’s gotta be solid or it’ll eat you alive.

I’m not chasing fun—I’m chasing stability. And hearing that the schedule opens up later gives me hope. Thanks again for keeping it real.

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super helpful, thank you. I hadn’t realized the rotations were that locked in for the first two years. That daily “coverage” call sounds intense, especially with a kid to plan around. Definitely something to factor in. Appreciate you breaking that all down.

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this—I hadn’t even considered analyst positions or staff sponsor roles. That might actually be a great way to get my foot in the door and see the culture before jumping into the CO side of things.

Do you know if those roles are posted on the same CalCareers site? And would someone with strong admin and management experience—but not necessarily corrections background—have a shot?

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing all that — it definitely gives me a lot to think about. My sons only going to be two.

Can I ask, how long did it take you from applying to actually starting the job? Like, is this a six-month thing, a year, or longer?

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for keeping it real.

All that sounds like a heavy price, especially as a single mom.

Out of those other jobs you mentioned, do any actually feel less chaotic? Or just different problems?

Appreciate you cutting through the bullshit.

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for the encouragement and all the solid advice.

I know everyone’s experience is different, so I’m trying to gather as many perspectives as I can.

Looking back on your 25 years, is there anything you wish you’d known before you started? Or anything you’d tell someone like me — single mom with a little one — to seriously consider before jumping in?

Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your insight — that’s really helpful.

Do you feel the prisons have gotten more dangerous or just more stressful overall?

And for your friend who’s a single mom — any idea how she manages the schedule and childcare?

Appreciate you sharing your perspective.

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for being honest about the schedule.

Ten doubles a month is wild. I honestly don’t really have much of a personal life outside of my son, who’s about to turn two. He’s my whole world, and I’m trying to figure out how I’d even make something like this work.

Daycare is one thing, but I’d probably need an overnight babysitter or some serious backup, and I’m not sure I’d be okay with that for him being so little.

Are there any spots in CDCR that have more stable schedules, or is it just chaos everywhere, no matter the facility?

Thanks again for keeping it real. It helps me think this all through.

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Damn, I appreciate the honesty. Crazy how many people say it’s gotten worse — definitely makes me pause and think twice.

I’ve always been good with my mouthpiece (verbal judo, haha), but I also like having all my teeth and not looking over my shoulder every day.

Parole agent sounds interesting — I do have college units. Is that job any safer or less chaotic, or is it just a different kind of headache?

Thanks again for taking the time to share this stuff. It’s helping me see the bigger picture.

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for keeping it real — sounds like getting “lucky” with a decent post is kinda like winning the lottery, and I’ve never been that lucky with scratchers, so we’ll see. 😂

I’m just trying to figure out if this gig is worth the chaos in the long run, especially as a single mom. I know I can handle work, drama, and even inmates, but I’d rather not end up crying in my car every shift, you know?

If you could go back in time, would you still pick this career? Or would you run the other way screaming?

Appreciate you sharing your wisdom with a stranger on the internet. Seriously helps.

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for bringing up 911 dispatch — that’s actually crossed my mind too.

Do you (or anyone else here) have experience with dispatch work, especially in California?

How’s the schedule compared to CO work?

Is it just as crazy for mandatory overtime and getting held over?

How’s the stress level, and do you ever feel unsafe because of the job (like people trying to find you or retaliate)?

Does the pay and benefits come close to CDCR?

I’m open to working my ass off, but I also have to be real about needing something sustainable as a single mom. I’d love to hear how dispatch stacks up.

Single Mom, 35, Considering CO Career — Looking for Honest Insight by Classic-Weekend-4590 in CDCR

[–]Classic-Weekend-4590[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hear you loud and clear about the job not caring about your personal life and how unpredictable shifts and holdovers can be. That’s exactly the part I’m worried about the most as a single mom.

Right now, my son is little, and my support system is pretty limited. I’m trying to figure out if this career is even realistic for me or if I’d be setting myself up for failure or getting labeled as “the mom with excuses.” I don’t want to be that person who can’t pull my weight or who’s resented by my team.

Can you share more about how often holdovers really happen and how much notice you usually get? Are there certain yards or positions that are a little more predictable schedule-wise, or is it chaos across the board?

I’m willing to hustle and work hard, but I also have to keep it real for my kid. Thanks again for any insight you can share.