A Career With The FBI


Do you have what it takes to become an FBI special agent? Do you have a sincere desire to enforce federal laws and investigate crimes?

This job requires hard work and can often times be dangerous and stressful. You'll undoubtedly be in close contact with crimminals and victims of crime. But a special agent's job is rewarding if you enjoy serving the public. Long before applying for a job as an FBI special agent, you'll need to plan carefully what you need to do to qualify.

The FBI Special Agent

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agents are the Government's primary investigators, who investigate criminal violations of over 260 statutes not assigned to another federal agency. Agents may conduct surveillance, monitor wiretaps, examine financial records, or participate in undercover assignments, just to name a few.

The FBI investigates organized crime, white collar crime, such as health care fraud, counterterrorism, copyright infringement, civil rights violations, bank robbery, extortion, kidnapping, terrorism, espionage, violent crimes, drug trafficking, and other violations of Federal statutes.

The following was adapted from The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Facts and Figures 2003, FBI Priorities (http://www.fbi.gov/priorities/priorities.htm)

The FBI's priorities are to:

  • Protect the United States from terrorist attack.

  • Protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations and espionage.

  • Protect the United States against cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes. Combat public corruption at all levels.

  • Protect civil rights.

  • Combat transnational and national criminal organizations and enterprises.

  • Combat major white-collar crime. Combat significant violent crime.

  • Support federal, state, county, municipal, and international partners.

  • Upgrade technology to successfully perform the FBI's mission.

    Entry Requirements

    • Be a U.S. citizen, or a citizen of the Northern Mariana Islands

    • Be at least 23 of age but under 37

    • Be available to work when and where needed

    • Pass hearing and vision tests, including a color vision test

    • Possess a valid driver's license.

    • Be in excellent physical condition

    • Possess a national or regionally accredited 4-year degree in a foreign language, law, accounting, or another field plus three years of full time employment.

    The FBI looks for job applicants who have skills in interrogation, report writing, surveillance, and giving testimony. The selection process also includes cognitive tests, an interview, background check, polygraph test, and drug test.

    The FBI also looks for individuals with character traits, such as honesty and sound judgement.

    Physical Training Requirements

    An example of a requirement would be the PRT, a 1.5 mile run test, passed with scores of 14 minutes 10 seconds or under for females and 12 minutes 40 seconds or under for males.

    Forensic Science

    The candidate for a scientist position must first qualify under an existing entry program and have a degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, nursing, bio-chemistry, Forensics, Medical specialties, or related field. The candidate for a Forensic Scientist position should major in biochemistry, biology or biotechnology. The Forensic scientist analyzes evidence such as hairs, firearms, DNA, photographs, fingerprints, and handwriting examples and testifies verbally and in writing.

    Advice from a former FBI profiler

    John Douglas, a former FBI profiler, offers the follow advice for aspiring FBI special agents:

    • Seek leadership opportunities.

    • Develop skills the FBI desires.

    • Do community service.

    • Maintain a clean record--no jail term or felony and good credit.

    • Maintain good grade point average.

    • Consider ROTC.

    • Complete an internship.

    Don't major in a course you dislike, such as accounting, because you think it will help you to become a special agent. "Make sure your primary focus is finding a career you enjoy," says Douglas.

    For more information on employment as a FBI Special Agent, check your phone directory for your state FBI office. Or visit the FBI online.

    Sources

    The Occupational Outlook Handbook 2002-2003, US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

    Federal Bureau of Investigation (www.fbi.gov)

    John Douglas's Guide to Careers in the FBI,1998, Kaplan Books, Simon and Schuster, New York.

    About The Author

    Diana Clarke has taught job search skills to students in Silicon Valley. Her career and business articles have appeared in publications including the San Jose Mercury News, Cupertino Courier and the Saratoga News.

    www.yourskinandsun.com; dianaclarke2001@yahoo.com







    Related News



    Finance Students Keep Their Job Hopes Alive - New York Times

    New York Times

    Finance Students Keep Their Job Hopes Alive
    New York Times, United States -7 hours ago
    “Mine is a generation that’s been told from high school onward, ‘You’re going to change careers five or six times throughout the course of your life,’ ” he ...

    Bye-bye to career employment for Baby Boomer men - Examiner.com

    Examiner.com

    Bye-bye to career employment for Baby Boomer men
    Examiner.com -Oct 1, 2008
    "Career employment – meaning employment with a single employer from middle age to retirement – is no longer the norm. So if workers are to remain in the ...

    Careers without college - nwitimes.com

    Careers without college
    nwitimes.com, IN -Oct 10, 2008
    The requirements for employment in these fields include work experience and on-the-job training. Some employers may desire candidates who have had some ...


    Gallup: Now is a Bad Time to Find a Job - Examiner.com

    Examiner.com

    Gallup: Now is a Bad Time to Find a Job
    Examiner.com -20 hours ago
    The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) released its latest Leading Indicators of National Employment (LINE) Report with similar findings. ...

    Five Things You Can do to Take Charge of Your Career During Harsh ... - PR Web (press release)

    Boston Globe

    Five Things You Can do to Take Charge of Your Career During Harsh ...
    PR Web (press release), WA -Oct 11, 2008
    Individuals with a will to succeed enjoy 100% control over their careers. The employment recruiting industry is especially booming; In general, employment...
    Presidential race complicates office politicsBoston Globe
    all 3 news articles

    Finding new work requires flexibility and creativity - Moorpark Acorn

    Finding new work requires flexibility and creativity
    Moorpark Acorn,  USA -Oct 9, 2008
    With the help of the Simi Valley Job Center, the setback turned into a new career opportunity. Benedetto said he was laid off after 12 years of employment...

    Securing employment in an insecure market - Zawya (press release)

    Zawya (press release)

    Securing employment in an insecure market
    Zawya (press release), United Arab Emirates -Oct 7, 2008
    ... potential to find fitting employment with benefits and job security. The jobs.abudhabi.ae Careers Advice Lounge facilitates this for NAJAH visitors. ...

    Experts advise patience when seeking first job - Vancouver Sun

    Vancouver Sun

    Experts advise patience when seeking first job
    Vancouver Sun,  Canada -23 hours ago
    About a year ago, the career coaches at Youth Employment Services Montreal began noticing an increase in the number of depressed and anxious job-seekers ...

    Shifting Careers In Hard Times, Lawyers Advise Cautious Steps - New York Times

    Shifting Careers In Hard Times, Lawyers Advise Cautious Steps
    New York Times, United States -8 hours ago
    By MARCI ALBOHER AS the turmoil on Wall Street continued, I sat down with two employment lawyers — Zachary Hummel, who represents employers, and Mark Risk, ...

    A Change For The Better! - Glasgow Sunday Mail

    A Change For The Better!
    Glasgow Sunday Mail, UK -3 hours ago
    "Now I am known as Mrs Motivator or the Positive Woman, acting as a catalyst for change in people's lives or careers." Liz, 49, set up her firm Positive ...