<p>I want to get into either the FBI or do Homeland Security so I was going to double major in Criminal Justice (concentration in Forensics) and Political Science (concentration in Pre-Law) with a minor in Sociology. But I know realistically that my chances of getting into either of the agencies are slim. </p>
<p>So I have 2 questions: 1- I want to increase my chances of getting into the FBI or Homeland Security as much as possible. Should I major in something different to make myself more attractive to either of them? Like is Crim Just/Poli Sci too average of a major? If I coupled it up with a different minor would it improve my chances? (Ok that was more than 1 question, ooops)</p>
<p>2- What major would you recommend that is the most versatile in case I don't get into either of the agencies? With majoring in Crim Just, if I don't go into the FBI then I'm stuck in being a policewoman/detective with pretty much no other options, not sure if I want to do that. Any ideas?</p>
<p>Well, one of my friends actually got recruited by the FBI (she turned them down, and now regales us with this story, even though they told her not to :P) because her family has a long line of military history w/top security clearance, etc. So, I suppose, if you go into the military you might have a better shot at the FBI? </p>
<p>If not, you could also be a translator or something…</p>
<p>It will get you no where. Major in Computer Science or Accounting. </p>
<p>2) What do you want to do in the DHS? DHS has many agencies within it, including CBP, USSS, FEMA, and the US Coast Guard.</p>
<p>All have different missions.</p>
<p>One of the best routes to federal law enforcement is the military, especially as an officer.</p>
<p>Another great route, probably the most common is to become a police officer after you get your degree. Get a few years of working the streets then get on a specialized unit or some other specialized experience.</p>
<h2>Well, one of my friends actually got recruited by the FBI (she turned them down, and now regales us with this story, even though they told her not to :P) because her family has a long line of military history w/top security clearance, etc. So, I suppose, if you go into the military you might have a better shot at the FBI? ~ Rcchay</h2>
<p>What does Recruited mean?</p>
<p>I’m calling BS. That sounds like crap you see in a movie, not real life.</p>
<p>The FBI requires you to pass multiple hiring stages and demonstrate that you meet a critical skill, being from a military background is not one of them.</p>
<p>I think your friend is lying about her experience. Most likely, she applied and didn’t make it pass the first phase, then simply said, “Oh, i turned them down.”</p>
<h2>- What major would you recommend that is the most versatile in case I don’t get into either of the agencies? With majoring in Crim Just, if I don’t go into the FBI then I’m stuck in being a policewoman/detective with pretty much no other options, not sure if I want to do that. Any ideas? ~ Shibbychic</h2>
<p>If you aren’t willing to become a cop, what makes you think you could make it as an 1811?</p>
<p>That attitude will get you in trouble very quickly.</p>
<p>I agree with the above, the FBI is recruiting accountants and people with language skills. Otherwise, Finance, Computer Science, and Engineering will be your best bets.</p>
<p>Yea see the problem with Accounting, Comp Sci, Finance & Engineering is that I’m really not a math/science person at all. Far from it unfortunately. I plan on learning 4 languages before I apply for either the FBI or Homeland Security which I was hoping would make me a little bit more desirable. Inside of Homeland Security I’m interested in ICE or possibly FEMA.</p>
<p>How will you double major and learn 4 languages?</p>
<p>That is stupid. For you to even qualify under language you must pass proficiency exams which aren’t easy.</p>
<p>Plus, you need to speak languages that are in demand. Currently they are Arabic, Hebrew, Mandarin, Spanish, and probably Russian. You won’t get fluent in 4 of those languages. You are being extremely naive. Other than Spanish, it takes about years of intense study (with immersion programs) just to become near fluent in 1 of those, let alone four.</p>
<p>Criminal Justice won’t do squat for you, trust me. Poli Sci is better, but it won’t open tons of doors.</p>
<p>If you want to work in ICE, go become a cop after you get your degree. Work on the streets for a few years then apply. The vast majority of ICE agents are former street cops. If you don’t want to do that, than you really don’t deserve to be in federal LE.</p>
<p>I’m almost done with doing my double major so that’s not much of an issue. While I’m terrible with math & science, one thing I excel in is learning languages very quickly. I figure I can easily acquire 4 languages in the next 5-6 years which would be around the time I’d apply. Luckily I have the opportunity to be able to immerse myself into 3 of the languages I plan on becoming fluent in.</p>
<p>I didn’t mean to come off as naive or anything of that nature by saying I don’t want to spend the rest of my life being a cop if I don’t make it into one of the agencies. I just see what the police around here do, majority of them spend their time doing traffic duty, and while many of them are content with that, I just don’t see myself spending my days writing tickets and handling neighbor disputes. Again, I’m not trying to knock the people that choose to do that, a lot of the cops I know love what they do and wouldn’t want to work for the FBI or anything like that.</p>
<p>So basically if I don’t go for Accounting/Comp Sci or Engineering I pretty much don’t have a shot?</p>
<p>^^^It’s about work experience, college degrees realy don’t matter. However, CJ is one of the least practical degrees. If you don’t get into LE, it doesn’t open any other doors for you.</p>
<p>Also, why the FBI? It has a terrible reputation amongst other agencies.</p>
<p>Bigeastbeast: Recruited means to attempt to acquire the services of a person :)</p>
<p>The FBI does occasionally recruit…on the condition that the person can pass all of the same tests that normal applicants do. After they pass, they are offered employment (rather than having to wait for one, like most of the other applicants).</p>
<p>Shibbychic: Of course, you don’t HAVE to go for Accounting/Comp Sci/Engineering to have a shot! (It’s just a common/useful major for that type of investigative work.) When you apply they ask about your education, and you write down whatever you have (a BS or BA, and possibly a grad degree, for example). Whoever’s in charge of hiring (a panel, for instance) will want to see what experience you have in the field (whether it be accounting, or engineering, or whatever your chosen field is). Check “FBI jobs [dot] gov” (CC doesn’t allow outside links) for the entry programs and critical skills. It specifies how many years experience they want per what type of degree (BS/BA vs. grad) that you get. Hope this helps a bit :)</p>
<p>Weird, I’ve worked in multiple roles and have worked with top field experts and have never heard of the FBI recruiting people, other than outsourcing possible expertise not normally required or bringing on a TFO who wanted to make the jump into Fed LE.</p>
<p>I have a very difficult time believing the FBI “recruited” a college student simply because she came from a “military family” - complete BS.</p>
<p>But I guess you, the college student who has never worked in law enforcement, conducted an investigation or held a clearance would know better.</p>
<p>More than likely this person just attended a career fair where the FBI had a representative and they gave her some information and told her to apply if she was interested (as they do to anyone who approaches them at career fairs). She then probably went around telling people that she was being recruited by the FBI because she has family members with military “clearances”, blah, blah, blah. </p>
<p>In college I had a class with this chick would was at least 300 lbs. I saw a FBI pamphlet on on her desk one day and asked if she was interested in that sort of thing. She said, “Yeah, I dunno - I might be. I mean, they totally want me to join, but I’m just not sure if I want to.”</p>
<p>LOL - this girl had to take an elevator to the second floor of our academic building because she was so out of shape, but she actually thought she had a chance of joining the FBI with absolutely no relevant work experience and zero chance of passing a physical agility test.</p>
<p>As far as the comment from the original post about this topic stating, “She now regales us with this story even though they told her not to.” Well, anyone who applies to the FBI signs a NDA, Non-disclosure Agreement, which is essentially a confidentiality agreement that you won’t share details regarding their hiring process such as test questions and panel interview topics.</p>
<p>That whole story sounds like a typical young person trying to make themselves look cool to their friends.</p>
<p>This is my first post, but I have been applying to jobs in the federal government for a year now and will give you some advice. First off, getting into the FBI is going to be very very difficult. The FBI is one of the most popular agencies that everyone wants to work at. The competition is fierce. You will be competing against people with years of work experience, ex military, and those with graduate degrees. Your best bet would be try to get hired by one of the smaller agencies that few people have ever heard of and then transfer. You stand a greater chance of being recruited by your local police dept./ county sheriff/ state police than the FBI.</p>
<p>You’re definitely really knowledgeable and a subject matter expert…</p>
<p>A “long line of military history with top security clearances” doesn’t help you. Heck, that statement doesn’t even make much sense. Security clearance background checks are conducted by OPM - Office of Personnel Management, a Federal entity. Unfortunately, as it currently stands, it does not matter if you obtained a TS/TS-SCI clearance from the military as it has no bearing on the TS/TS-SCI that you need for the FBI. The clearance you obtained while in the military certainly DOES help if you’re looking for employment at a defense contractor. The reason is that TS/TS-SCI clearance is useful in many DoD related aspects. Unfortunately, in order to go from a DoD affiliation to a DoJ affiliation, the background investigation goes back to square one. Yes, it is redundant. Yes, they are looking for ways to expedite this process, but as of now, it is what it is.</p>
<p>Having military experience ceteris paribus does help a LOT while you are in training. Depending on your military experience, you may even be eligible to be “recruited” under the HRT Program.</p>
<p>As for undergrad majors, the best really are Comp Sci, Engineering, or Accounting.</p>
I disagree completely. What makes you think that if you want to be an 1811 you have to be willing to become a cop? Granted, having patrol LE experience is great, but are you saying that all those who are applying for a 1811 must also apply somewhere as PO?</p>
<p>
From what I understand, you may stand a greater chance of being hired EARLIER by a state or municipality than the FBI because of the length of the hiring process. But some large agencies such as the LAPD and NYPD are starved for cash and have had entire exams nullified just due to the wait time.
I would say that if you are interested in an 1811 definitely consider a big city PD if what you want ultimately is investigative.
Also, if you’re in the Reserve component, be very careful what you wish for. Being in the FBI and Reserve component is not easy and from what I’ve heard it may be frowned upon as opposed to state or municipal agencies. There’s also no point to be in the FBI and Reserve component as you can’t double dip on benefits and retirement as you could with a state or municipality.</p>
Provided you possess the critical skills the CIA needs, that’s not particularly true. CIA has spent FAR more money on “recruiting ads” than the FBI has as of lately.</p>
<p>As for “officer training school”, keep in mind that you should not subject yourself to 3+ years of active duty or 6+ years of reserve status just to make yourself more competitive. Those are not easy years, especially not with the OPTEMPO today.</p>