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