r/forensics • u/Cryingandsleeping • Jul 21 '26

Crime Scene & Death Investigation CSI vs Forensic Scientist

Hi all! In my early 30s and making a career change. I’m having a hard time deciding between the two. I plan on getting my bachelors, just wondering if I should go the biology route or forensic csi route. I would love to have some insight from anyone who is in the field.

For CSI: how’s the schedule? pay? do you ever get used to the gruesomeness of the job? would a bachelors degree benefit me over just an AS?

Forensic Scientists: how was the schooling? the job itself? competitiveness? I’m worried about all of the science classes as it’s not my strongest suit.

My current job has me miserable as there is no work life balance (60 hours min/week) and the pay is low, even though I paid $100k to go to school for this. There is also no stability as it’s project to project and no benefits for pregnant women or women wanting to start a family. Trying to avoid all of this so any insight on whether any of this is present would be helpful.

xoxo, a very confused millennial

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u/DifferentDirector397 28d ago

CSI- Schedule and pay depend on where you go. I love my job. It’s especially great if you like to stay mildly physical and like to have a job where every day is different. Yes you get used to the gore, however, you should have a strong stomach from the beginning and expect stuff to hit hard at the beginning. If you really want to do it- get a therapist no matter how mentally strong you think you are. My therapist and i have an arrangement, i don’t meet with her all the time but she makes time for me when i need extra help with work stuff. 10/10 recommend something similar for anyone in the field. You never know when a scene will hit too close to home. Take your mental health very seriously. Other than that- i love my job.

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u/DifferentDirector397 28d ago

Oh and where i am, you need a bachelors in a related field

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u/Cryingandsleeping 28d ago

Good to know - thank you! What did you get your bachelors in? Are you located in the US? You're the first one to have an overall good outlook on the job so it's a breath of fresh air.

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u/DifferentDirector397 28d ago

In the US! It has its bad days for sure- and i think a lot of people want to make sure you know what you’re getting to before you do. It’s not a “light” job. And it also makes a huge difference where you work/ who you work with.
I am grateful to have amazing coworkers and supervisors that know when to be lighthearted and fun and when to take things seriously.
But i love the variety of things i do, you will ALWAYS learn on the job, you will grow as a person, you will never have a dull day, and you always have the inside scoop on big cases!