<p>Hello, im currently active duty in the army and would love to move to go to a three letter agency "FBI, CIA" i have a little more than three years of service in a special operation's unit and have done 0 college. I joined directly out out high school, So really its all i know. How well do you guys think majoring in criminal justice and getting a minor in computer science will help set me apart from other applicants? Any input and advice is greatly appreciated! </p>
<p>Criminal justice will not set you apart from other FBI and CIA applicants. That’s a very common major for people who want to go into law enforcement, even if that law enforcement is at the federal level. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t select it; you should just be aware that you are one of many. Honestly, your Army service will set you apart far more than your major, because you’ll get veterans’ preference.</p>
<p>Both the FBI and the CIA hire people from a variety of different educational backgrounds. Remember that both of them are large government organizations and they need people in all kinds of roles - they need business managers; they need administrative assistants; they need HR professionals.</p>
<p>If you want to be a special agent, even with that you can major in pretty much anything, but both services have websites that detail your preferences.</p>
<p>The [url=<a href=“https://www.fbijobs.gov/111.asp]FBI[/url”>https://www.fbijobs.gov/111.asp]FBI[/url</a>] hires special agents in 5 categories: accounting, computer science/IT, language, law, and “diversified.” Currently they are prioritizing people in accounting and finance; computer science and engineering; foreign language proficiency; those with experience in law enforcement, intelligence, and the military; and the physical sciences. So honestly reversing them - majoring in computer science and minoring in criminal justice - may take you farther there.</p>
<p>The [url=<a href=“https://www.cia.gov/careers/faq]CIA[/url”>https://www.cia.gov/careers/faq]CIA[/url</a>] is a lot less precise and just says that they represent a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds, so they don’t recommend one over the other.</p>
<p>The Agency’s personnel requirements change from month to month as positions are filled and others become available. Our best advice to you is to do your very best and strive for good grades. Fluency in a foreign language is a good addition. Above all, understand that your choices and behaviors now are a reflection of your personal integrity, character and patriotism.</p>
<p>I’ll second that. (I took a history of espionage seminar and someone from the CIA talked to our class.) They’re overwhelmed with criminal justice majors, which isn’t the skill set they’re looking for. Languages (specifically under-represented languages) and technical fields are some good directions to go, if that interests you.</p>
<p>There are tons of career paths at all of these types of places and they all vary some in what they are looking for. Field job vs. desk. Agent vs. analyst. Or support staff? HR? tech staff?</p>
<p>I honestly think you would be better off majoring in computer science and getting the minor in criminal justice… but I might be wrong. It might also give you more opportunities at NSA. </p>
<p>How long are you looking to stay in? You should consider looking into the 18F path… Also keep in mind that nothing really beats a military retirement, but staying 20 years is definitely not for everyone.</p>
<p>I assume you are not looking to go the CIA Special Activities Division route… if that is where you want to be, you are probably best off staying in and completing college while remaining active duty. Eventually I imagine you would encounter the right people to help facilitate that transition.</p>