How To Become An FBI Agent
How To Become An FBI Agent
Do You Have the Courage and Drive to Become an FBI Agent?
Everyone has heard of the idea of becoming an FBI agent, but it doesn't necessarily have to remain an unattainable dream. There are a variety of degrees that can make you eligible to be trained as an FBI agent, and there are many available opportunities with high salaries in the $50,000-70,000 range at the minimum. However compared to other careers in criminal justice there are sacrifices, namely extensive hours and last minute travel requirements, and many different challenges and demands that can occur on a daily basis. It is a very essential agency focused on national security though, so if you want to be part of protecting your country, this is the role for you.
Steps to Become an Agent
There is a specific checklist of things you must possess in order to be considered for the FBI agent program, and not all the conditions have to do with your education, so double check everything you need to be sure you qualify.
1. Be a US citizen.
2. Be between 23 and 37.
3. Have a valid driver's license.
4. Have a clean criminal record.
5. Get a bachelor's criminal justice degree from an accredited university. There are 5 different programs in the FBI that you can qualify for: law, language, accounting, information technology and a diversified program, so there are various subjects you can major in that are relevant to becoming an FBI agent. Degrees in finance, accounting, law, engineering, physical sciences or computer science amongst others, are all acceptable.
6. Acquire additional skills in information technology and foreign languages on top of your degree to give you an advantage.
7. Collect at least 3 years of professional work experience in your field before becomin an FBI agent.
8. Apply to be an FBI agent via the FBI official website for open positions.
9. Undergo a background check, drug tests, writing tests, physical examinations and interviews.
10. If accepted, you have an additional 22 weeks of FBI training at the headquarters in Quantico, Virginia.
Job Duties
When you have completed your education and appropriate training, you will start working to assist law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels with their investigations. FBI agents are not usually involved in any arrests but simply aid the police force to solve crimes, but they especially focus on cases of counterterrorism, counterintelligence, civil rights, corruption, organized crime, violent crimes and white collar crimes. Your work will require you to be available whenever needed and to travel extensively, and each day will bring a new series of challenges, but an FBI agent is necessary to keep the country safe from terrorism and foreign threats as well as ensure national crimes are resolved as quickly as possible.
Criminal Justice Degree |
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