A Career With The FBI

Do you have what it takes to become an FBIaccredited 4-year degree in a foreign language,
special agent? Do you have a sincere desire tolaw, accounting, or another field plus three years
enforce federal laws and investigate crimes?Thisof full time employment.The FBI looks for job
job requires hard work and can often times beapplicants who have skills in interrogation, report
dangerous and stressful. You'll undoubtedly be inwriting, surveillance, and giving testimony. The
close contact with crimminals and victims ofselection process also includes cognitive tests, an
crime. But a special agent's job is rewarding if youinterview, background check, polygraph test, and
enjoy serving the public. Long before applying fordrug test.The FBI also looks for individuals with
a job as an FBI special agent, you'll need to plancharacter traits, such as honesty and sound
carefully what you need to do to qualify.The FBIjudgement.Physical Training RequirementsAn
Special AgentFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)example of a requirement would be the PRT, a
special agents are the Government's primary1.5 mile run test, passed with scores of 14
investigators, who investigate criminal violations ofminutes 10 seconds or under for females and 12
over 260 statutes not assigned to another federalminutes 40 seconds or under for males.Forensic
agency. Agents may conduct surveillance, monitorScienceThe candidate for a scientist position must
wiretaps, examine financial records, or participatefirst qualify under an existing entry program and
in undercover assignments, just to name ahave a degree in physics, chemistry,
few.The FBI investigates organized crime, whitemathematics, biology, nursing, bio-chemistry,
collar crime, such as health care fraud,Forensics, Medical specialties, or related field. The
counterterrorism, copyright infringement, civilcandidate for a Forensic Scientist position should
rights violations, bank robbery, extortion,major in biochemistry, biology or biotechnology.
kidnapping, terrorism, espionage, violent crimes,The Forensic scientist analyzes evidence such as
drug trafficking, and other violations of Federalhairs, firearms, DNA, photographs, fingerprints,
statutes.The following was adapted from Theand handwriting examples and testifies verbally
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Facts and Figuresand in writing.Advice from a former FBI
2003, FBI Priorities ( FBI's priorities are to:ProtectprofilerJohn Douglas, a former FBI profiler, offers
the United States from terrorist attack.Protectthe follow advice for aspiring FBI special
the United States against foreign intelligenceagents:Seek leadership opportunities.Develop skills
operations and espionage.Protect the Unitedthe FBI desires.Do community service.Maintain a
States against cyber-based attacks andclean record--no jail term or felony and good
high-technology crimes. Combat public corruptioncredit.Maintain good grade point average.Consider
at all levels.Protect civil rights.Combat transnationalROTC.Complete an internship.Don't major in a
and national criminal organizations andcourse you dislike, such as accounting, because
enterprises.Combat major white-collar crime.you think it will help you to become a special
Combat significant violent crime.Support federal,agent. "Make sure your primary focus is finding a
state, county, municipal, and internationalcareer you enjoy," says Douglas.For more
partners.Upgrade technology to successfullyinformation on employment as a FBI Special
perform the FBI's mission.Entry RequirementsBe aAgent, check your phone directory for your state
U.S. citizen, or a citizen of the Northern MarianaFBI office. Or visit the FBI online.SourcesThe
IslandsBe at least 23 of age but under 37BeOccupational Outlook Handbook 2002-2003, US
available to work when and where neededPassDepartment of Labor, Bureau of Labor
hearing and vision tests, including a color visionStatisticsFederal Bureau of Investigation (
testPossess a valid driver's license.Be in excellentDouglas's Guide to Careers in the FBI,1998, Kaplan
physical conditionPossess a national or regionallyBooks, Simon and Schuster, New York.