How to Become a Paranormal Investigator

So you are fascinated by ghosts and goblins and things that go bump in the night and you always wanted to hunt ghosts, track Big Foot or spy the Loch Ness monster. Maybe becoming a paranormal investigator is just the thing for you. Here are some tips to get you started.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Camera
• Tape recorder
• Notebook and pen
• Flashlight and batteries

1. Do your homework. Read everything you can on ghosts, poltergeists, UFO sightings and any other kind of paranormal activity. Study the investigations of these phenomena to get a sense of how paranormal investigators approach their work. Learn the lingo and the different types of paranormal activity that may be encountered in an investigation.
2. Join a local paranormal investigation group. Check out The Shadowlands website or the Ghostvillage website for information on groups in your area. If there are no groups in your area, consider attending a conference out of town or even starting your own group.
3. Take a class. Many organizations now offer courses in paranormal investigation. Flamel College and the International Ghost Hunters Society both offer courses you can complete from the comfort of your own home.
4. Invest in some equipment. At a minimum, a respectable paranormal investigator needs a camera, a notebook, a tape recording device and a flashlight. More experienced paranormal investigators invest in EMF detectors or meters which pick up disturbances in electric and magnetic fields.
5. Start investigating. Go to a site where paranormal activity has been witnessed or recorded and have some fun. Use the techniques you learned from your books or class and perform your own investigation. The best way to become a paranormal investigator is through real life experience.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't quit your day job. Paranormal investigation can be a fun hobby but there are very few people that can make any kind of living out of it. Be realistic and enjoy your new hobby while maintaining a job that can actually pay the bills.

Who Can Help:

• Earn an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix
• University of Phoenix, degree Programs to Fit Your Life.