APPLICANT WORKSHOPS/SEMINARS (Valley Division)

[snowdog]

For those who have not checked the CHP web site, here are the dates and times for applicant workshops/seminars in Valley Division:
September 19/1830/Yuba-Sutter-Applicant Seminar
September 26/1900/Stockton-Applicant Seminar
October 2/1800/Academy-Applicant Seminar
October 3/1800/Academy-Applicant Seminar
October 7/0900/Academy-QAP workshop
October 14/0900/Academy-QAP Workshop (I believe this is incorrectly listed as October 17 on the web site)
October 21/PAT at the Academy
October 23/QAP's begin,,,, too late if you haven't attend a workshop.

The workshops offer a great deal of information on the testing process and hints on how prepare for each phase. Have any of our current applicants attended any of these? If so, what did you think and any suggestions on improving the presentations are welcome. Food for thought: When the QAP learns that you attended both of the different the seminars, you make points.

[chico.medic]

It's provided good information about the processes itself. The QAP workshop was a little self-guided but it gave us a chance to meet a lot of other applicants. I lucked out and got a call from the PIO @ my local area office. He had me come in and set up a mock interview that he ran me through. I have been quite impressed w/ the testing thus far. I was in the hiring process for Santa Cruz PD and comparatively (to a state wide agency like CHP) they were impersonal and I felt more like a number than an applicant. With the CHP, you feel welcomed just based on the fact that the recruiters are taking the time to set up these workshops, or even better, one-on-one assistance such as the mock interview. I think all in all, anything available to us (i.e. Ride-a-longs, Applicant workshop, QAP workshop, ect.) has provided me with a wealth of knowledge that I can apply towards my Oral interview.

I think it was funny, the guy @ the QAP workshop suggested shaving before the PAT. I got rid of the goatee I've been sporting for the better part of two years and I'm glad I did considering the warm welcome we received from the staff officers. :lol: :lol: And I'm not complaining by any means...but It was fun to watch some of the people. "But, I diddn't know they were gonna yell at us!"

I was one of the lucky ones that was able to fly under the radar for the weekend.

[chico.medic]

Kind of a sad turnout on this thread....I was interested to hear other people's take on the matter.:biggrin:shock:ubt:

[unixadm]

Just a reminder to those in Valley Division that there are upcoming seminars and workshops at the Academy. I plan on attending both.

[eurostorm]

I am planning on attending a Golden Gate Division seminar next week in Marin. Are they going to have QAP workshops in the Golden Gate Division as well (as we get closer to the QAP in November), or is it advisable for me to head up to Sacramento and go to one of the QAP workshops?

According to the GG Division schedule, there isn't anything listed about QAP workshops.

[TypeS]

According to the GG Division schedule, there isn't anything listed about QAP workshops. I have been searching as well for that schedule and am very interested in attending.

[ichp]

Yes!!

I attended the applicant seminar Sept 26th-great info! Fortunately I had already been to the chp.ca.gov website and had downloaded everything that was on there already. It was neat to see some of the other applicants and I look forward to the written this weekend. I had already done a ride along and was glad I was a little ahead of the game. I did like hearing the info on the PHS-as far as the amount of time we have to complete it. I now know to get me school transcripts now and not wait until then. It would be nice to tell the applicants that this website is available.

I did call the recruiter regarding the Oct 17th/14th? date and it was confirmed to me as the Tuesday, October 14th. I hope this is correct-since I will go there on the 14th if I can't make the 7th of October.

[unixadm]

In regards to the QAP Workshop, October 14th is a Saturday. So there still seems to be a little confusion regarding the date. :smile:

I'm looking forward to next week. This will be my first trip to the Academy and I'll get to go twice in a week while my best friend is there. If I pass the written this weekend I'm hoping I'll have enough time to get a ride along scheduled here in Sacramento before the PAT/QAP on the 21st/23rd. My vision is borderline iffy right now so I'm not 100% confident if I make it to the PAT I won't be DQ'd. I need to spend the next several weeks exercising five days a week. I'll give it my best shot, that's all I can do.

I think this website is just a word of mouth type of deal because it's not endorsed by the CHP. People who are resourceful and have internet access will seek out all the information they can regarding the CHP. I found the forum by searching on Google one day and then pointed my friend who was at the tail end of the hiring process here as well. At that point I was not really motivated to join the CHP, but after talking with her, reading on this forum, researching the history of the CHP, and spending countless hours thinking about it - I made my decision. I have learned a great deal on this forum and can't thank the Officers enough for all that they do for us. I have been most impressed with the willingness by those around me who either work for the CHP or who have retired from the CHP to help me along and offer encouragement. It's a total class act and that's certainly the type of family I would like to be a part of.

[unixadm]

Just an update for those in Valley. The second QAP workshop is on October 17th and is an evening class on a Tuesday. They encouraged us tonight to attend both to get the maximum amount of practice in.

Tonight was my first night I've ever been to the CHP Academy. I showed up at 5:30pm for a 6pm seminar. I quickly found myself in the middle of a very full parking lot. There are a lot of Cadet cars there! I finally found a parking spot after about five minutes and proceeded to get lost on the Academy grounds. The seminar was not clearly marked and being that I was nervous just being there (tires screaching in the background, gunshots, Cadets and Officers roaming about) I sort of got worried for about 10 minutes when I could not find what I was looking for. Let me just say that for those who have not been there, it's a BIG place. Also it's a place of the utmost professionalism and discipline. I was greeted countless times by Cadets as I roamed around as "Good evening Sir", which is exactly what they should do. I never passed a single person, Officer or Cadet that did not greet me in some way. I felt out of place being on the grounds not knowing where I was going, but I was surrounded by some great people. I finally ran into a few others looking for the the seminar and luckly we happened by a doorway where one of the recruiters came out and said "Hey it's in here". WHEW, we got lucky. Turns out it was like the first door on the right, but hey who knew. :smile:

The seminar held for applicants was extremely well done and informative. The number of applicants there was fairly low and fit into a smaller sized classroom. The good thing is that 400+ took the test and a fraction of those showed up to the seminar which is good for us applicants who are very serious about the process. We listened to two recruitment Officers give us some details regarding the Academy and the career. We were then presented with a few videos outlining the testing process and Academy life. Lastly we were given the low down on the process after you pass your QAP and enter backgrounds. This is where the real critical information came about to successfully make it to the Academy. The message was given by the Background Investigator sternly, and those who were smart took PLENTLY of notes. The message came across loud and clear and that is exactly how he wanted it to. I know I had two full pages of notes when I left the room and a bunch more in my head.

I left the classroom when the seminar was over, greeted by more gunshots, cars sliding about in the distance, five to ten Crown Vics roaming about with LED's flashing and some distant war cries from Cadets in the background. Overall, I came away HIGHLY motivated, yet knowing entering the CHP Academy would be the toughest thing I've ever done in my life. Making it through the Academy would require 100% of everything you have at all times. It is very true that you need to have the right attitude and you really need to want this career. If you don't, I can see how the pressure can drive people away. I can't say I'm not worried or concerned because I am, but I'm comitted to giving it my best. Good luck to us all!

I can't stress this enough - if you have the opportunity to attend an applicant seminar and the QAP workshop, GO. It is worth your time.

[HippieChip]

I am planning on attending a Golden Gate Division seminar next week in Marin. Are they going to have QAP workshops in the Golden Gate Division as well (as we get closer to the QAP in November), or is it advisable for me to head up to Sacramento and go to one of the QAP workshops?

According to the GG Division schedule, there isn't anything listed about QAP workshops.

Golden Gate Division is planning on two QAP Seminars. Most likely one will be on a Saturday and the other a midweek evening. The dates are not set yet, but will probably be after the written test. As soon as the info is ready it will be posted here.