Career Choice: FBI?

[Saint Nick]

To get into the FBI, is anyone familiar with the process? Do I have to go through police academy? Do I have to be on the police force for a few years in general first? What kind of things do I need to do to get in?

I'd like to work on computer crime cases mostly.

 

[dude8604]

Did you try looking at their website?

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: dude8604
Did you try looking at their website?

Blasphemy!

 

[Saint Nick]

Nope, just looking for people who have experienced the process firsthand.

 

[pyonir]

There ya go, i'll make it easy for ya.

http://www.fbijobs.gov/1112.asp

 

[Brutus04]

You will need a college education for the I.

To become an FBI Special Agentyou must be a U.S. citizen or a citizen of the Northern Mariana Islands. You must be at least 23 years of age, but younger than 37 upon your appointment as a Special Agent. You must possess a four-year degree from a college or university accredited by one of the regional or national institutional associations recognized by the United States Secretary of Education. You must have at least three years of professional work experience. You must also possess a valid driver's license and be completely available for assignment anywhere in the FBI's jurisdiction.

 

[RagingBITCH]

You really should read their website.

Being someone who has gotten to Phase II of the process, you'll need at least a college degree. You'll need some kind of speciality (Cisco cert, CPA, etc) or a masters + x years of experience, or have background in the armed forces. You'll take a written test in Phase I. If you pass that, you'll be in the pool for Phase II selection. The pool for selection just to be picked to be interviewed for Phase II is pretty hard...so unless you have that specialty, you're pretty much going to be overlooked.

Phase II testing is hours upon hours of panel interviews, psychological tests, etc. Assuming you get chosen, you get sent to the academy for XX weeks, then assigned to a city of their choosing.

This was the process two years ago...I don't know if it's still 100% this way but that's what you're looking at.

 

[chusteczka]

They need people with professional skills yet the pay for a marketable professional as an FBI special agent does not seem enticing. The FBI appears to be too similar to a military lifestyle for me and I have already served 6 years with the military and it is now time to serve myself. Additionally, special agent candidates must be younger than 37 years old before they are accepted as a special agent. This age limit is not adjustable for prior military or government service.

Edit: Another disadvantage is that I would not want to have criminal networks threaten my family for my occupational achievements.

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
You really should read their website.

Being someone who has gotten to Phase II of the process, you'll need at least a college degree. You'll need some kind of speciality (Cisco cert, CPA, etc) or a masters + x years of experience, or have background in the armed forces. You'll take a written test in Phase I. If you pass that, you'll be in the pool for Phase II selection. The pool for selection just to be picked to be interviewed for Phase II is pretty hard...so unless you have that specialty, you're pretty much going to be overlooked.

Phase II testing is hours upon hours of panel interviews, psychological tests, etc. Assuming you get chosen, you get sent to the academy for XX weeks, then assigned to a city of their choosing.

This was the process two years ago...I don't know if it's still 100% this way but that's what you're looking at.

sounds the same

 

[illusion88]

Yay for people who are too lazy to type 7 letters into their address bar (I'll give you a hint, fbi.gov)

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: illusion88
Yay for people who are too lazy to type 7 letters into their address bar (I'll give you a hint, fbi.gov)

But if you're really lazy just type fbi into firefox and it'll take you straight to fbi.gov.

 

[IronWing]

You'll have to start by lying:

No, I never smoked pot.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: jndietz
To get into the FBI, is anyone familiar with the process? Do I have to go through police academy? Do I have to be on the police force for a few years in general first? What kind of things do I need to do to get in?

I'd like to work on computer crime cases mostly.

a letter from your congressman would help immensly.

all fbi (including computer geeks) are required to cary a gun. can you handle a 10mm?

no police background necessary. but u do need to pass a credit and background check.

 

[Throckmorton]

usajobs.gov

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: ironwing
You'll have to start by lying:

No, I never smoked pot.

You can work for the FBI if you haven't smoked pot within 6 months. CIA I think is 1 year.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
You really should read their website.

Being someone who has gotten to Phase II of the process, you'll need at least a college degree. You'll need some kind of speciality (Cisco cert, CPA, etc) or a masters + x years of experience, or have background in the armed forces. You'll take a written test in Phase I. If you pass that, you'll be in the pool for Phase II selection. The pool for selection just to be picked to be interviewed for Phase II is pretty hard...so unless you have that specialty, you're pretty much going to be overlooked.

Phase II testing is hours upon hours of panel interviews, psychological tests, etc. Assuming you get chosen, you get sent to the academy for XX weeks, then assigned to a city of their choosing.

This was the process two years ago...I don't know if it's still 100% this way but that's what you're looking at.

The above is true. I did the Phase 1 testing and passed, but wasn't selected for Phase 2, mostly because I don't have a specialized background in their current needs. Their priority needs are adjusted year after year though (ie; language, law, military, biology, computers, etc.) so even if you have a speicalty in say computers and get passed up you might want to try again the following year.

 

[Epic Fail]

start learning Arabic

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: jndietz
To get into the FBI, is anyone familiar with the process? Do I have to go through police academy? Do I have to be on the police force for a few years in general first? What kind of things do I need to do to get in?

I'd like to work on computer crime cases mostly.

a letter from your congressman would help immensly.

all fbi (including computer geeks) are required to cary a gun. can you handle a 10mm?

no police background necessary. but u do need to pass a credit and background check.

Are you saying a letter from my congressman REFERRING me to the job or what...?

The other stuff I'm not too worried about. I'm mostly worried about the barrage of tests that they give -- I want to be prepared and ready should I decide to take on these tasks. I also still have my degree to finish (1.5 years left)

 

[Reckoner]

I went through a majority of the process to become an Intelligence Analyst. I had a phone interview, had to fill out a form for the background check, and a polygraph. Unfortunately, I couldn't see myself in Washington for the salary they were offering a GS-7, so I took myself out of the process. The people I dealt with were courteous and professional. However, it is a SLOW process. Certainly look into the private sector, and do not bank on a position with the feds. Funding also plays a role, so even if you're given a conditional offer, your tentative slot can be taken away pretty quickly. Plus, a pretty good amount of people fail the polygraph. Good luck if you go for it, I'm sure it's a rewarding profession if salary isn't a major issue at this point in your life.

 

[Q]

FBI would be awesome but the only chance I would have in is the Computer 'section'. I am only a freshman in college though so that doesn't look promising to me

 

[AAman]

The language specialties are really important right now, especially the Central Asian and other languages from Islamic countries (I had the interview and written test in October but wasn't selected, have to wait a year to test again). If you pass the interview, you then have to pass the physical testing (situps, pushups, 1.5 mile and a sprint, all back-to-back with 5 minute rests in-between).

 

[Googer]

If you're a Ron Paul supporter, I'd think twice about joining the FBI; that man believes the FBI should be disbanded and will work to do so upon arriving in to office. Consider a similar carrer with your local State police/Trooper, DEA, or US Marshall's. A second option is a career in the Military as a base MP or investigator or the local Sheriff/City Police.

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: jndietz
To get into the FBI, is anyone familiar with the process? Do I have to go through police academy? Do I have to be on the police force for a few years in general first? What kind of things do I need to do to get in?

I'd like to work on computer crime cases mostly.

a letter from your congressman would help immensly.

all fbi (including computer geeks) are required to cary a gun. can you handle a 10mm?

no police background necessary. but u do need to pass a credit and background check.

Your information is incorrect. Field agents carry firearms. Support personnel don't. At a minimum, you have to be able to be cleared for SECRET.

 

[Injury]

Consider your lifestyle and whether the FBI is right for you and you for them, above all else.

A friend of mine was given the psychological evaluation this past summer and they said they gave her a range of questions on everything from her lifestyle, how often she goes out, how often she drinks, questions of morality, and more or less assumed the worst from all of her answers.

Maybe for your specific plan a BA in CS and a Minor in Criminal Justice would be a great combo (If that's possible).

 

[Boo Boo]

they will find those pictures of you...