5 answers
Autumn
Student
Charleston, West Virginia
4
Questions
Asked
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What should I do if I want to join law enforcement such as the FBI?
What steps should I take
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5 answers
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1750
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Autumn,
Thanks for showing interest in the field of law enforcement!
To kick-start your journey, I suggest you familiarize yourself thoroughly with the FBI jobs website. Here's the link: https://fbijobs.gov/
The qualifications emphasize financial responsibility, such as filing tax returns and paying off student loans, and a clean record regarding drug usage.
Additionally, it's crucial to maintain a positive image with everyone you interact with - teachers, friends, neighbors, ex-partners, colleagues, and so on. Remember, background checks are extremely comprehensive. Participate in activities that foster teamwork, like sports or academic groups, and challenge yourself by stepping out of your comfort zone. As a law enforcement officer, self-assuredness is key! Also, pay attention to the physical fitness requirements, which include running, flexibility, and strength training.
Regardless of the number of qualifications you meet, be prepared for a challenging journey at the academy. The instructors will push you to your limits. It's essential to stay determined and remember that giving up is not an option!
On the academic front, don't limit yourself to criminal justice. Explore the various specialized areas within the FBI. For instance, if white collar crime interests you, consider studying accounting. https://fbijobs.gov/forensics
Bringing a unique perspective to the team can be beneficial. After all, a team that thinks alike doesn't offer much diversity!
Wishing you all the best!
Kim
Thanks for showing interest in the field of law enforcement!
To kick-start your journey, I suggest you familiarize yourself thoroughly with the FBI jobs website. Here's the link: https://fbijobs.gov/
The qualifications emphasize financial responsibility, such as filing tax returns and paying off student loans, and a clean record regarding drug usage.
Additionally, it's crucial to maintain a positive image with everyone you interact with - teachers, friends, neighbors, ex-partners, colleagues, and so on. Remember, background checks are extremely comprehensive. Participate in activities that foster teamwork, like sports or academic groups, and challenge yourself by stepping out of your comfort zone. As a law enforcement officer, self-assuredness is key! Also, pay attention to the physical fitness requirements, which include running, flexibility, and strength training.
Regardless of the number of qualifications you meet, be prepared for a challenging journey at the academy. The instructors will push you to your limits. It's essential to stay determined and remember that giving up is not an option!
On the academic front, don't limit yourself to criminal justice. Explore the various specialized areas within the FBI. For instance, if white collar crime interests you, consider studying accounting. https://fbijobs.gov/forensics
Bringing a unique perspective to the team can be beneficial. After all, a team that thinks alike doesn't offer much diversity!
Wishing you all the best!
Kim
Kevin Sanderson
FBI Special Agent (retired in 2016)
2
Answers
Pineville, Louisiana
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Autumn,
Being an FBI Special Agent is a very rewarding and satifying career choice. The application process is extremely long and very competive. The positive is that it is a goal that is attainable if that is what you really want to do and are willing to work towards that goal. The minimu requirements to apply as an FBI Special Agent are at least 23 years old (but less that 37), be a US citizen, have at least a bachelors degree from an accredited college/university, have at least 3 years of full time work experience and not have a felony conviction. There are a few other things but those are the main ones. As someone mentioned in a previous answer, go to the FBI recruiting website www.fbijobs.gov. It has a wealth of information and is very detailed.
The recruiting website also talks about non-agent positions that are available and internships that you can apply for.
The FBI does not care what your college major is, there are agents with every degree you an think of and that diversity is what makes them successful. I worked with people who were school teachers, professional atheletes, lawyers, doctors and even a former nun. A lot of people think that you need to have a criminal justice degree or be former military to be hired and that is not the case. less that 50% of the agents hired are former law enforcement or military veterans (both both of career fields certainly help you). The average age of the people in the current New Agent Classes is right around 30 years old with 7-10 years of professional work experience. The ability to speak a foreign language is another way to help make you more competitive. Currently, degrees in the cyber area have been sought after and help make you more competitive.
The main thing that you can do is decide what exactly you want to do and work towards that goal. Do not pursue a college degree just because you think that will help you get hired by the FBI. Pursue a degree and a career in something that you enjoy and wouldnt mind working in (unlike me who got an accounting degree because at the time the FBI was looking for those and I hated accounting-dumb mistake on my part and luckily my military experience helped me get hired many years after I finished college). Look for FBI job fairs at local colleges and go and talk to the recruiters and to any agents that may be there. FBI Agents are normal people and most will be more than happy to discuss the steps to take to get hired.
Also, consider applying for the non-agent positions that the FBI is recruiting for. Those jobs pay pretty good and are a good way to "get your foot in the door." I've known a lot of agents who began their careers as FBI support eomployees. It's usually easier to get hired to be an agent when you already are employed by the FBI. Hope this helps and good luck!
Being an FBI Special Agent is a very rewarding and satifying career choice. The application process is extremely long and very competive. The positive is that it is a goal that is attainable if that is what you really want to do and are willing to work towards that goal. The minimu requirements to apply as an FBI Special Agent are at least 23 years old (but less that 37), be a US citizen, have at least a bachelors degree from an accredited college/university, have at least 3 years of full time work experience and not have a felony conviction. There are a few other things but those are the main ones. As someone mentioned in a previous answer, go to the FBI recruiting website www.fbijobs.gov. It has a wealth of information and is very detailed.
The recruiting website also talks about non-agent positions that are available and internships that you can apply for.
The FBI does not care what your college major is, there are agents with every degree you an think of and that diversity is what makes them successful. I worked with people who were school teachers, professional atheletes, lawyers, doctors and even a former nun. A lot of people think that you need to have a criminal justice degree or be former military to be hired and that is not the case. less that 50% of the agents hired are former law enforcement or military veterans (both both of career fields certainly help you). The average age of the people in the current New Agent Classes is right around 30 years old with 7-10 years of professional work experience. The ability to speak a foreign language is another way to help make you more competitive. Currently, degrees in the cyber area have been sought after and help make you more competitive.
The main thing that you can do is decide what exactly you want to do and work towards that goal. Do not pursue a college degree just because you think that will help you get hired by the FBI. Pursue a degree and a career in something that you enjoy and wouldnt mind working in (unlike me who got an accounting degree because at the time the FBI was looking for those and I hated accounting-dumb mistake on my part and luckily my military experience helped me get hired many years after I finished college). Look for FBI job fairs at local colleges and go and talk to the recruiters and to any agents that may be there. FBI Agents are normal people and most will be more than happy to discuss the steps to take to get hired.
Also, consider applying for the non-agent positions that the FBI is recruiting for. Those jobs pay pretty good and are a good way to "get your foot in the door." I've known a lot of agents who began their careers as FBI support eomployees. It's usually easier to get hired to be an agent when you already are employed by the FBI. Hope this helps and good luck!
shawn bryan
Coontract Management
3
Answers
Folsom, California
Updated
shawn’s Answer
Dive into the FBI website to understand their mission and the laws they uphold. Get a comprehensive understanding of their purpose and explore the variety of roles within the FBI. Pursue a degree in Criminal Justice to focus your education. Arrange a visit to your local FBI headquarters during this period. Embark on a tour and schedule a meeting with an agent who can provide you with firsthand, authentic information. Simultaneously, prioritize your fitness. Aim to be in the best physical condition possible. Stay updated with FBI-related news stories. Engage with the FBI on Twitter and other social media platforms. Delve into the career section of their website. You have the potential to be an excellent FBI Agent, and it's an exciting career path.
Terry Cabak
Canadian/American
8
Answers
Huntley, Illinois
Updated
Terry’s Answer
Being in the FBI is the top of a career. Become a security person first, develop skills in self-defence, join the military, analyze everything and send or make reports for yourself. Look around your neighbourhood for threats and situations, read as much as you can. Go to law school. Only THEN should you consider anything like FBI or CIA. Remember, everything you see on TV is false. Never assume you have any idea whatsoever.
Karin P.
Lecturer
375
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Autumn,
In order to join the FBI, you need to earn at least a bachelors degree in any field, better yet a masters. If you have a bachelors you also need 2 years of work experience. If you have a masters, you need 1 year of work experience.
Also required is physical fitness.
There is a wide variety of jobs and specialties within the FBI, and so there is a wide variety of degrees that would be useful for a career in the FBI, examples would be criminal justice, forensics, chemistry, biology, psychology, computer science, geology, soil science, materials science, a foreign language especially Chinese or Russian or Arabic.
There are also eligibility criteria such as clean criminal record, finances in order, tax returns filed, ability to pass a background check, ability to get a security clearance, drug free, etc.
The application process is lengthy, so make sure to check the timelines.
You find more details on requirements and application details here:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-an-fbi-agent
https://fbijobs.gov/eligibility
While you are still in high-school, work on your fitness, join a gym and maybe a team sport, so you don't have to start from scratch later. Choose courses that align with the degree you are interested in, e.g. if you are interested in chemistry or biology take all the science classes. If you have the option to take psychology or anatomy, take those. If you can pick up a second language, choose that.
While you are in college, apply for the FBI internship program to get a feel for it and get a foot in the door:
https://fbijobs.gov/students-and-graduates
https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/neworleans/news/fbi-honors-internship-program
I hope this helps, and good luck on your journey.
KP
In order to join the FBI, you need to earn at least a bachelors degree in any field, better yet a masters. If you have a bachelors you also need 2 years of work experience. If you have a masters, you need 1 year of work experience.
Also required is physical fitness.
There is a wide variety of jobs and specialties within the FBI, and so there is a wide variety of degrees that would be useful for a career in the FBI, examples would be criminal justice, forensics, chemistry, biology, psychology, computer science, geology, soil science, materials science, a foreign language especially Chinese or Russian or Arabic.
There are also eligibility criteria such as clean criminal record, finances in order, tax returns filed, ability to pass a background check, ability to get a security clearance, drug free, etc.
The application process is lengthy, so make sure to check the timelines.
You find more details on requirements and application details here:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-an-fbi-agent
https://fbijobs.gov/eligibility
While you are still in high-school, work on your fitness, join a gym and maybe a team sport, so you don't have to start from scratch later. Choose courses that align with the degree you are interested in, e.g. if you are interested in chemistry or biology take all the science classes. If you have the option to take psychology or anatomy, take those. If you can pick up a second language, choose that.
While you are in college, apply for the FBI internship program to get a feel for it and get a foot in the door:
https://fbijobs.gov/students-and-graduates
https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/neworleans/news/fbi-honors-internship-program
I hope this helps, and good luck on your journey.
KP