PI WORK IS HARDLY GLAMOROUS

The field of private investigation is one in which a great many people express an interest. Much of that interest, unfortunately, is based on what they see on television and in the movies, which seldom conforms to the reality of the job.
The typical private investigator doesn't lead a life as influential, exciting or dangerous as most of his fictional counterparts on the screen, be it large or small.
The job essentially has two main aspects when you start out - working undercover or on surveillance.
The undercover assignment usually involves a blue-collar job - working on a loading dock, in a factory, driving a truck or working in large warehouse to try to find drug use or theft. You're working two jobs - the "front" job and your undercover work.
You have to perform all the work that the others do and be good at it. If you don't do it well, you will stand out, others may start wondering how you were hired and your assignment could be compromised.
You're also working alongside people whom you get to know. You will find out about their families, friends, problems and habits, and you may find yourself becoming close with someone. You must guard against getting too friendly with anyone. The person might become part of the investigation and you will have to collect evidence on him or her and possibly testify against the person.
Surveillance is another way that investigators break into the field. Surveillance is one of the toughest assignments. When police or federal agents do it, they sometimes use several vehicles. As a private eye, you almost always use one vehicle.
And most surveillance starts early, say 5 a.m., because you need to be in the neighborhood and settled before to people are up so they don't notice a strange vehicle arrive and no one get out. The goal is for it to appear that no one is in the van. Yes, true surveillance is done in a van.
And you can't run your vehicle during surveillance. When it's hot in the summer, you better have some ways to keep cool without turning the vehicle on. Picture a hot August day, inside a van parked on a street with no shade and being in it all day. How about a winter day with 30-below wind chill? Can't turn on the heater! And a bathroom break? what is that? Restrooms are confined to the inside of your van.
If this sound like fun, then maybe you have some PI blood in you.