I'm 17 and interested in becoming an FBI Special Agent. What should I do now?

Question

Hi. As I stated in the question, I'm 17 and have become fascinated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I know that you can only apply for the Agent position when you're 23, but getting through the selection process is apparently pretty tough. In terms of college, references, work experience, and all that stuff, what do you guys think I should aim to do right now? I have just applied to college and I think a major in accounting would be a pretty good head start towards my goal. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

You've gotten some good advise and some crappy advise.

Keep your record spotless as someone else mentioned.

Work hard and get good grades in high school and college. Forget the Criminal Justice degree unless you decide you want to get onto a local police force. the FBI does things differently and you will be trained in FBI methods.

When J. Edgar Hoover ran the bureau, only people with law or accounting degrees, and two years of private practice were considered for employment. Now days most any degree is acceptable. Your idea of an accounting degree is a good idea, lots of cases have been solved by the number crunchers.

The best thing you can do would be to call the local FBI office, tell them that you want to become an FBI Agent and make an appointment to visit the office and discuss requirements. Or you can call the FBI HQ in Washington and ask them to send you any recruiting literature they might have.

Good Luck. In recent years, I've lost lots of respect for the FBI, but they are still some of the best lawmen around.

Doc Hudson

Answer 2

Most of this will be repeating what other posts have said, but here goes:

1) Stay out of trouble. From this point on, any arrests will show up on your record. The FBI will check your criminal records as part of your application. While minor offenses might not absolutely disqualify you, what counts as a minor offense is constantly changing.

2) Choose a major and courses that interest you. More important than any particular major is that you do well in college and have good references. The FBI has enough applicants that it can quickly discard those who were not academically successful. You are more likely to get good grades (and good references from professors) if you are interested in what you are taking and show it by your attitude in and after class and your tests and papers. Having said that certain majors and degrees are more desirable, but accounting would be one of them given the amount of financial crimes that the FBI investigates.

3) Get in touch with the FBI early to see what they can tell you about the application process. If you know what they are seeking in an applicant, you are more likely to be able to take the steps now to improve your chances.

Answer 3

1) Graduate high school - try to stay in the top 10%.
2) Go to a college which offers a degree in Criminal Justice or something similar, or Law.
3) Graduate from college with a Major in one of the above disciplines, and either a double major or a minor in a foreign language (not too obscure - Spanish, Japanese, German, Chinese).
4) Get a job with a local or State PD.
5) Apply for a position with the FBI after 2 years hands-on experience in Law Enforcement.

You have set a fantastic goal for yourself. I hope you achieve it.

Answer 4

They still need accountants, probably always will. If you put in your zip code to locate your nearest Field Office, you can give them a call and arrange for a tour. http://www.fbijobs.gov/032.asp

Looked around their web site and picked up some information for you (links provided).

9. Do certain degrees provide a more desirable educational background for the Special Agent position?
The FBI does not recommend particular courses or schools. Any degrees that develop research and analytical skills are desirable educational backgrounds. For example, a Law degree is a desirable asset because Special Agents are charged with investigating violations of federal laws of the United States; an Accounting degree is also desirable because Special Agents trace financial transactions and review/analyze complex accounting records in criminal investigations; an Engineering degree is desirable because Special Agents often have to critically analyze large amounts of information in order to plan the next steps in an investigation; etc.

http://www.fbijobs.gov/114.asp

There are specific elements that will automatically disqualify job candidates for employment with the FBI. The FBI Employment Disqualifiers are:


. Conviction of a felony
. Use of illegal drugs in violation of the FBI Employment Drug Policy (see the FBI Employment Drug Policy for more details)
. Default of a student loan (insured by the U.S. Government)
. Failure of an FBI-administered urinalysis drug test
. Failure to register with the Selective Service System (for males only)
Please note that if you are disqualified by any of the above tests, you are not eligible for employment with the FBI.

http://www.fbijobs.gov/51.asp

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

More and more, the FBI is involved with "white collar crimes" and investigates business corruption and stuff of that nature.

You would do well to take accounting courses, and focus on "forensic accounting" (to be used in court and prosecutions). It wouldn't hurt to attend a college known for criminal justice programs. One that I can think of is John Jay College.

You are correct about the accounting thing, though, based on what I've heard. How'd you know that already? (It's not something that people would intuitively think of studying for a career in the FBI.)

Answer 6

First, keep your record squeaky clean. No moving driving violations, no drugs, no shoplifting, none of that. Probably not a problem for you...but college can be filled with stupid drinking times. Stay away from that.

Second, if you want to be a special agent, I recommend you get a degree in criminal justice (accounting - how will that help you?). It would be beneficial to get a second major in a foreign language as well.

Stay fit, and learn how to shoot as well. Join a gun club. Martial arts are good as well. I suggest getting lessons now. In five years, you will be a deadly weapon.

Accounting? They don't need accountants for special agents.

Answer 7

Call the FBI! Tell them what you want to do, and they'll probably help you. you might get a chance to talk to a real FBI agent and find out exactly what you need to do.
Good luck.

Answer 8

Get the latest box of sugar smacks, their is a decorder ring and a real G man badge inside. Sorry just kidding. I think you should take some classes in crimanology, stuff like that. Good luck on your quest!

Answer 9

If i were you, I would go to college for Criminal Justice and/or forensics. Also, another great thing to get you started would to become a police officer. That would be the quickest way to get where you want to go.

Answer 10

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