|
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.
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
Diana Clarke
More Articles
Three Ways To Jumpstart Your IT Career - Chris Bryant
We all get stuck in ruts from time to time, and that happens on
the job as well. You've thought about doing something different
with your information technology career, but just haven't quite
gotten around to it yet. Sound familiar?
You can...
Is your career classified 3F? - Cathy Goodwin Ph D
When the United States had a military draft, men with "4F" status were banned from military service. Some cherished the designation while others felt cheated out of the experience. If you're seeking career freedom, you may feel blocked by the...
Midlife Career Change Can Feel Like Getting a Divorce - Cathy Goodwin
Most of us are aware that we need to grieve the death of a close friend, relative or favorite pet. We are beginning to learn that other events -- relocation, divorce, illness -- can also be experienced as loss. Losing a professional-level career...
THE UGLY TRUTH: About your Job - Career - Future - Oscar Bruce
If you work for yourself: the odds you will still be in business in the year 2005 are only 1 in 5. In today’s workplace swirling with change, one million people will start a new business this year. The UGLY truth is, 800,000 will be "out of...
For Creative People: How to Develop Your Career - Debbie Brown MBA MSW
For Creative People: How to Develop Your Career Deborah R. Brown, MBA, MSW ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ "If you're a truly creative person, you know that feeling...
Career Searching: A Vision Without A Plan is a Hallucination - Rob Taub CCM
Success is not always something you necessarily find when you arrive. It may be the journey that gets you there. It seems as though people make career management more difficult than it has to be. When something threatens to make it simple,...
Speakers, Communicate Your Speaking Career To The Next Level: Top 7 Tips To Talk Your Way To The Top - Karen Friedman
Not too long ago, I walked into a room where some of the country's top oncologists were preparing to launch a new cancer-fighting drug. The occasion was the group's rehearsal before a big presentation to the Federal Drug Administration....
Online Degrees Can Charge Your Legal And Paralegal Careers - Joyce Jackson
The need for trained legal professionals and paralegals is expected to grow faster than the national average for job growth within the next five years. Stiff competition is expected, making your decision to enter the legal profession a critical one....
Starting A Career In Another Country - Dana Goldberg
There are few things in the world quite as exciting as moving
overseas and trying to get a job. Starting a new career overseas
can be difficult but if you follow some key steps it is not half
as hard as some would have you believe. The very first...
Three Ways to Transition to a New Career - Steve Hall
As a Certified Personnel Consultant working for Find Great People International in Greenville, South Carolina, I receive telephone calls from people who are considering a career change. For some, transitioning to a new career is easier than...
Becoming a Star Performer in your Career - Scott Brown
So what's the difference between a star performer who can name his/her salary and get whatever job he wants, and someone who can't? Very successful people tend to put a lot of effort into improving themselves. Coach Dean Smith of the University of...
Career goals - Robert Kokoska
If you are a college student and planning to have a great
career, you will need to develop tangible career goals, which
will enable you to reach your coveted career position. But if
someone asks you about your career goals, do you have a...
|
