Wanting to become an FBI Agent

<p>I am a senior this year, and graduation is coming faster than I thought it would. I want to do everything that I can do to get into the FBI for it is my dream. I know that there is normally a three year gap between college and the FBI were you need to get work expierence.</p>

<p>I know that the FBI does also hire individuals straight out of college, and that is my goal. I am most likely going to thed University of Texas at San Antonio. I would also be part of the honors program at the university. My intended major is mathematics and I am most likely going to minor in criminal justice as well as psycology. I am also going to take Korean and German language classes.</p>

<p>What are things that I can do to better my chance of getting into the FBI?
What is thought about my intended majors and minors in reference to pursueing a career in the FBI?
What are any ways of bettering my chances of going into the FBI directly from college?</p>

<p>I'll answer the best I can. </p>

<p>But first, do you mean you want to be special agent? Or just like a analyst?</p>

<ol>
<li><p>The languages are good. Though German wouldn't be as good as something like Farsi, Arabic, Chinese, etc. (critical languages)</p></li>
<li><p>I've heard that even as a special agent, you are assigned a specific title, such as "accounting". So I guess math would be ok, but not anything special. I would say major in criminal justice/criminology and minor in either a language/psychology/math. </p></li>
<li><p>Check to see if the FBI is recruiting in your area, coming to any local job fair, or recruiting events at your college. Check their website for job openings and usually there they'll tell you what they're looking for more specifically. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

<p>Please contact your local FBI office for information -- they have printed material that can help you. Even if you want to maximize your chances of being hired by the Bureau, make sure you have other options for a career. The Bureau is very selective and it's hiring patterns change with immediate and future needs...you might think you are well-prepared to get a job, but if there is a big event that changes the rules of the game (think 911) the Bureau might go in a different direction.</p>

<p>According to my Special Agent spouse, criminal justice is not a preferred course of study for a future agent.</p>

<p>People fluent in Arabic, Farsi, Chinese are a critical need. AFAIK, you still need three or more years of work experience after college before you can be hired as an agent.</p>

<p>You should also be aware of some of the drawbacks of being an agent. For example, you probably will not get to choose what city you work in for the first 10-15 years of your career, depending on your degree you could probably earn more in the private sector, and you face mandatory retirement at age 57. Then there's always the danger factor-- we lost a colleague in the line of duty about 15 years ago. FBI Special Agent can be a wonderful career -- but make sure you go in with a good understanding of what it really is (hint: it's nothing like what you see on TV or in movies).</p>

<p>Oh, and about the post on the other thread that suggested the government might pay for your education if you want to be an agent.....not happening!</p>