| Do you have what it takes to become an FBI | | | | accredited 4-year degree in a foreign |
| special agent? Do you have a sincere desire | | | | language, law, accounting, or another field |
| to enforce federal laws and investigate | | | | plus three years of full time employment.The |
| crimes?This job requires hard work and can | | | | FBI looks for job applicants who have skills |
| often times be dangerous and stressful. | | | | in interrogation, report writing, |
| You'll undoubtedly be in close contact with | | | | surveillance, and giving testimony. The |
| crimminals and victims of crime. But a | | | | selection process also includes cognitive |
| special agent's job is rewarding if you enjoy | | | | tests, an interview, background check, |
| serving the public. Long before applying for | | | | polygraph test, and drug test.The FBI also |
| a job as an FBI special agent, you'll need to | | | | looks for individuals with character traits, |
| plan carefully what you need to do to | | | | such as honesty and sound judgement.Physical |
| qualify.The FBI Special AgentFederal Bureau | | | | Training RequirementsAn example of a |
| of Investigation (FBI) special agents are the | | | | requirement would be the PRT, a 1.5 mile run |
| Government's primary investigators, who | | | | test, passed with scores of 14 minutes 10 |
| investigate criminal violations of over 260 | | | | seconds or under for females and 12 minutes |
| statutes not assigned to another federal | | | | 40 seconds or under for males.Forensic |
| agency. Agents may conduct surveillance, | | | | ScienceThe candidate for a scientist position |
| monitor wiretaps, examine financial records, | | | | must first qualify under an existing entry |
| or participate in undercover assignments, | | | | program and have a degree in physics, |
| just to name a few.The FBI investigates | | | | chemistry, mathematics, biology, nursing, |
| organized crime, white collar crime, such as | | | | bio-chemistry, Forensics, Medical |
| health care fraud, counterterrorism, | | | | specialties, or related field. The candidate |
| copyright infringement, civil rights | | | | for a Forensic Scientist position should |
| violations, bank robbery, extortion, | | | | major in biochemistry, biology or |
| kidnapping, terrorism, espionage, violent | | | | biotechnology. The Forensic scientist |
| crimes, drug trafficking, and other | | | | analyzes evidence such as hairs, firearms, |
| violations of Federal statutes.The following | | | | DNA, photographs, fingerprints, and |
| was adapted from The Federal Bureau of | | | | handwriting examples and testifies verbally |
| Investigation, Facts and Figures 2003, FBI | | | | and in writing.Advice from a former FBI |
| Priorities ( FBI's priorities are to:Protect | | | | profilerJohn Douglas, a former FBI profiler, |
| the United States from terrorist | | | | offers the follow advice for aspiring FBI |
| attack.Protect the United States against | | | | special agents:Seek leadership |
| foreign intelligence operations and | | | | opportunities.Develop skills the FBI |
| espionage.Protect the United States against | | | | desires.Do community service.Maintain a clean |
| cyber-based attacks and high-technology | | | | record--no jail term or felony and good |
| crimes. Combat public corruption at all | | | | credit.Maintain good grade point |
| levels.Protect civil rights.Combat | | | | average.Consider ROTC.Complete an |
| transnational and national criminal | | | | internship.Don't major in a course you |
| organizations and enterprises.Combat major | | | | dislike, such as accounting, because you |
| white-collar crime. Combat significant | | | | think it will help you to become a special |
| violent crime.Support federal, state, county, | | | | agent. "Make sure your primary focus is |
| municipal, and international partners.Upgrade | | | | finding a career you enjoy," says Douglas.For |
| technology to successfully perform the FBI's | | | | more information on employment as a FBI |
| mission.Entry RequirementsBe a U.S. citizen, | | | | Special Agent, check your phone directory for |
| or a citizen of the Northern Mariana | | | | your state FBI office. Or visit the FBI |
| IslandsBe at least 23 of age but under 37Be | | | | online.SourcesThe Occupational Outlook |
| available to work when and where neededPass | | | | Handbook 2002-2003, US Department of Labor, |
| hearing and vision tests, including a color | | | | Bureau of Labor StatisticsFederal Bureau of |
| vision testPossess a valid driver's | | | | Investigation ( Douglas's Guide to Careers in |
| license.Be in excellent physical | | | | the FBI,1998, Kaplan Books, Simon and |
| conditionPossess a national or regionally | | | | Schuster, New York. |