What do I need to do to get started on criminal profiling?

Criminal profiling roughly speaking is conducting research and in order to better comprehend criminal behavior. The majority of criminal profiling jobs are with state or federal government, but profilers also work as independent consultants or as researchers in universities. The most prominent employer of profiler position is probably with the FBI, which does not have employees with the job title of profiler but was the first to start using criminal behavior analysts.

If you're interested in becoming a profiler for the FBI, you would be trying to obtain a position as a special agent at the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) at Quantico, Virginia. In order to become a NCAVC agent, you must have at least three years of service as a FBI special agent, and because there is a lot of competition, many candidates have up to 10 years of service under their belts. To become an FBI agent, you must be a US citizen between the ages of 23-27. NCAVC prefers candidates who hold degrees in Forensics, Criminal Justice, or Psychology, but your previous experience as a FBI agent matters more than education. Note that it is possible to work at the NCAVC without being a special agent, there are research position that require in-depth knowledge of research methods and analysis.

If you interested in the FBI, I would suggest checking out their website: https://www.fbijobs.gov/03.asp, which has information on what college campuses they visit for recruiting (look at their campus visit schedule) and internship programs. While these programs are for college students and older, if you're seriously interested in pursuing a career with the FBI, they may be relevant in your choice of college, your major, and your extracurricular activities. You should also think about whether the skills you have today would be a good fit with those majors that are required for a career in profiling, and what skills you should work on while still in high school