One question I’ve gotten from young graduates looking for criminal justice jobs–right after the perennial what can I do with a criminal justice degree–is how do I get a job with the FBI?
One common misconception is that you have to have previous law enforcement degree. This is not true.
Experience in law enforcement can’t hurt–and because it’s so competitive to get a job with the bureau they can be picky–but it is not required.
What is required is a degree, and that you are a citizen. (In addition to no history of drugs or a criminal record.) Also at least 3 years of job experience, post degree, and off-the-charts intangibles like being motivated and a self-starter.
If you wanna be a “special agent” then having experience as a cop is probably a really good idea. But there are 5 different FBI programs:
- Accounting
- Computer science/information technology
- Law
- Language
- Diversified
This leaves open a ton of areas to focus on that may not require you to be a CHP for 3 years.
Takeaway: Don’t just think you have to carry a gun like Booth on “Bones” to work for the FBI. There are ton of exciting careers in the FBI that don’t involve field work–and will satisfactorily answer the question, what can I do with a criminal justice degree?
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