Federal Agent

By Kyle Morrell

A day in the life

• Many agents work in an office environment• Investigations are done both inside and

outside. • Agents have to be willing to go any place they

are assigned.

Working Conditions

• The typical workweek is about 50 hours.• Most agents working in an office environment• Can take a mental and physical toll on agents• They care firearms and wear protective

clothing; like bulletproof vests.• Agents can be called into work if there is a

national emergency

Interview

• Tell me about your job. Is what you do different in any way from what others in your occupation do?

• “I am a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent. I am assigned to a major narcotics and violent street gangs unit, which is a branch of the criminal division of the FBI. I investigate large-scale narcotics traffickers, and disrupt and dismantle violent street gangs. I write warrants and write-up probable causes.”

Interview Cont.

• What personal characteristics are required for someone to be successful in your job?

• “The ability to listen calmly to information is important. You have to be able to process the information without showing judgment or expressing emotion, regardless of how shocking it is. You must have a combination of good time management and people skills. It’s crucial to be able to deal well with a myriad of different people without having the luxury of a great deal of time. Situations may often come up quickly and require almost instantaneous response. You have to be able to gain trust and friendship in a matter of moments.”

Interview cont.

• What are the biggest challenges in your job?• “Thinking outside the box seems to be one of

the most challenging aspects of my career. Our job often tasks us to do more with less, which usually means overcoming bureaucracy. Paperwork can be overwhelming sometimes, but it’s a necessary part of the job.”

Education• Must hold at least a bachelor’s degree with a 2.95 GPA• It is necessary to have at least 3 years of work

experience• The applicant cannot have a criminal record and they

must meet physical requirements• Need English 1-4, Algebra 1-2, Geometry, AP statistics,

Physical Science, Biology 1, Chemistry, World History, U.S. History, U.S government, Geography, Social Science Electives, Foundations of CTE, Employability/Careers, Business Law, Economics or Personal Finance or Capstone Experience, PE/Health, Fine Art Elective, 2 units of World Language, Computer Studies, or Approved Career & Technical Education

Top colleges

• New York University• University of Miami• University of Maryland• University of Delaware• Oregon State

Cost of college

• New York University- $26,878-$27,092 (per semester)

• University of Miami- $57,576• University of Maryland- $44,645• University of Delaware-$26,510 • Oregon State-$36,174

Training

• Written, oral, physical, and psychological testing

• Taken to selected academies • Honesty, good judgment, and integrity

characteristics are needed to be an agent

Job outlook

• Federal Agents will be around for a long time

Salary

• $39,000 to $61,000 a year• After a few years it might increase to between

$70,000 to $120,000

Related Occupations• FBI-Federal Bureau of Investigation, investigate terrorism, kidnappings, and

financial fraud.• CIA-Central Intelligence Agency, collect and spread information about foreign

countries and their citizens• NSA-National Security Agency, make and break secret codes for the transfer of

information• DEA-Drug Enforcement Administration, investigates drug rings and smuggling• ICE-US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, enforce immigration and

customs laws, protect certain federal buildings, and provide air and marine enforcement

• CBP-US Customs and Border Protection, prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering America

• ATF-Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, protects our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson and bombings, acts of terrorism, and the illegal entertainment of alcohol and tobacco products

Specialty Career/certification

• Accounting- Certification is CPA, or a Certified Public Accountant

• Computer Science/Information Technology- Certification is Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE)

• Language- BS or BA degree in any discipline and be proficient in a language that meets the needs of the FBI

• Law- JD degree from an accredited law school• Diversified- BS or BA degree in any discipline, plus three

years of full-time work experience, or an advanced degree accompanied by two years of full-time work experience.

Advancing

• No application is accepted if the applicant is over 37 years old

• There is a lot of exercise involved so you have to be physically fit

Why I am interested

• I am interested in this career because I comfortable in dangerous situations.

• I think pretty quick in times of danger• I enjoy thinking that someday I might be able

to go undercover• I will be able to carry a weapon

Why does this career appeal to me?

• It appeals to me because it is a chance to do something that I have always wanted to do.

• I used to make pretend weapons and go around the house shooting imaginary people, while pretending I was in a dangerous situation!

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