Write an article based on this "Volunteer. Look on your state's website for opportunities. Focus on a specialty. Complete an employment application. Review your job duties. Get trained. Pass a background check and drug tests. Pass the certification exam."

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The best way to show you're serious about this before you even start applying is through volunteering. And it's the main way to get experience! You could do work at a hospital, a juvenile detention center, correctional facility, or anything that's semi-related and interesting to you. Some states, like Georgia, require a letter of interest to be considered for employment. It'll be a whole heck of a lot easier to write if you have experience! In addition to volunteering, some states have internships they recommend their trainees get. All the information you need is available online. Along with qualifications and internships, plenty of states have job postings on their websites. You may even find an application form! While you're looking up requirements, take a gander at the openings. It'll give you a good starting point for what the market looks like and what the jobs entail. There are other agencies you could work for, too, that will be on a smaller level. Consider your county's website or criminal jurisdiction as well, in addition to independent facilities. Probation officers have two distinct fields: youth probation and adult probation. Juvenile or youth probationers are under the age of 18. Adult probationers are age 18 and older. The salary starts in the mid $30,000 range and increases with experience. Working with children is always a little risky. While the payoff may be greater (seeing them amount to wonderful things thanks to guidance from you is incredibly gratifying), the risk is greater too (not all of them will succeed). Generally, it's something you know you want to do -- or know you don't want to do. If you meet all the requirements and you see a job you like, apply! After a few minutes pressing buttons, it'll be done -- so why not?  Read the entire job posting or job announcement for minimum qualifications. Download an application from a prospective employer's website. Fill all applicable blanks. Put N/A if the question does not apply to you. List only relevant information for the position and include volunteer information. Be attentive to the required experience and training. Note any special requirements. Input dates accurately for training, employment or education questions. Attach required documents such as degrees and credentials. Make sure the correct format is used. Print a copy of employment packet for your personal file. Submit documents in a timely manner. Duties of a probation officer involve many facets. A person must be willing to be a counselor, disciplinarian, social worker and enforcer. Make sure you're willing and able to complete them all. A probation officer must:  Investigate background, environment, personal and family history. Submit compliance or non-compliance reports to the court. Make recommendations based on dispositions. Initiate revocation of probation or modification of procedures. Perform interviews and analysis. Enforce court-ordered community services, restitution and fines. Attend court hearings and give testimony. Interact with diverse groups. Often upon being hired, your employer will enlist you in some type of government training. This usually only lasts a matter of weeks and is paid. It may or may not include dealing with firearms. This is the schooling that will prepare you for the certification exam. In addition to a college degree, the training and examination are the main obstacles that stand in your way. However, your employer should facilitate most of this, making it easier on you. In order to successfully pass the training and examination, you need to have all your "t"s crossed and "i"s dotted. A clean record and drug test are must-haves. You'll be given a psychological assessment and a physical, too. These are the easy tests, though! Each candidate must successfully complete and pass a series of written and oral certification exams. The certification process may include firearm exercises. This will be at the end of your training and will be facilitated by your program trainer. Each state has a slightly different process. In order to know what to expect, talk to your mentors! Your employer and those running your program are great resources to prod.