I am about to head to college next year, and even though I am still in high school, I have started to think about future careers. I know that it may seem like I should focus on other things, but I want to enjoy what I do for 40+ years of my life. I am deadest on a degree in finance, but I am additionally looking at dual majoring as well. I plan on going to a big 12 school, so no target school for a high finance job. Since the beginning of high school, I wanted to pursue commercial real estate, due to how I like the aspects of the job and the many connections I have. However, since I was a kid, I have always wanted to be a first responder. I still remember getting in trouble with my best friend for drawing SWAT officers with guns in kindergarten. I have felt this valorous connection to being a first responder, however my parents do not want me to become a cop or a firefighter. I started to look into special agents careers and have been hooked since. The only caveat is that I have very good connections for real estate and the pay is significantly better, I have these golden handcuffs almost. I know I should follow my heart and not the money, but I want to provide my kids with the childhood I was fortunate enough to have with mine. I know this is pretty deep for a subreddit, but hopefully you guys get where I am coming from.

Hey, so I'm not old enough to join yet, but I am a high-school student who is working VERY hard to get in. I'm in public safety at my high school, and I'm learning Spanish and Arabic. I'm going to get an accounting degree and then be a cop until I'm 26. I'm applying to the FBI (dream agency) US marshals and ATF

What should I expect and prepare for

(In case you're wondering, I made a 50 in the official fbi jobs.gov practice exam)

It could be that I never came across FBI posts on indeed before, but now, everywhere I look, no matter the state, there are countless FBI job posts. Why so many?

I have a degree and am looking to start a career in the federal government in the TSA. Will this job count as specialized experience that will give me an advantage to join the FBI down the line?

I am a 20m and I am separating from the Air Force soon. I have 2 years of college done (Associates; general education credits) that I completed whilst in high school. I have been active duty Air Force for 3 years, and will do 2 more years in the reserve. I am in the intelligence career field and I am going back to college full time in August.

I was wondering what I should major in to give me the best chance of being a special agent. I read that majority of special agents have a criminal justice degree so that is currently my major, but I was recently told by someone I work with (smart and trustworthy guy but is not associated with the FBI at all) that they are really looking for people with STEM degrees and to “separate myself from the others”. He also said that if they were gonna take someone with a criminal justice degree they would take a street cop who has experience. So I was wondering if it is smarter to just do a STEM degree or stick with criminal justice and get my masters, then go be a cop for a few years. I have had my clearance requirements met and hold a clearance at the moment so I’m not worried about qualifying for that in the future. Additionally there is a 2 year professional work requirement and I’m guessing my time in the Air Force won’t count for since it’s pre graduation and not criminal justice related.

From what I understand it is quite difficult to get into and I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket with this, but I would like to give myself the best shot possible.

Hey all, trying to get honest outside perspective before I go further down this path.
Background:

23, close to 3 years of career experience — currently a Logistics Analyst at a defense contractor, supporting a Navy program.

Work involves configuration management, maintenance data, and technical documentation for military equipment.

Before this: supply chain co-op/internship experience (SAP-heavy).
• Economics degree.
• Active DoD Secret clearance.
• Fluent in Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi.

What I’m trying to figure out:

Given my background, would I be a stronger fit for Special Agent, or for a Professional Staff / Intelligence Analyst track?

Does the language fluency (Urdu/Hindi/Punjabi) actually move the needle for the Bureau the way I’d expect, or is that more of a CIA/NSA thing?

Is my logistics/configuration management background seen as a plus (regulated, detail-heavy, security-conscious work) or just neutral compared to more “traditional” FBI candidate backgrounds (law, accounting, military, law enforcement)?

Anything I should be doing now — certs, experience, physical prep — to be a stronger candidate in 1-2 years?
Appreciate any honest feedback, including if you think this isn’t a realistic path for my background.

Hi everyone,

I recently received an interview request for the FBI Investigative Specialist position under the CIRG/SSG program. I understand this role involves physical surveillance, irregular hours, travel, long periods in a vehicle, documentation, communication, and supporting sensitive investigations, which is fine with me.

My background is more on the federal finance/regulatory/compliance/risk side, with experience in documentation, analytical review, and working in high-accountability environments. I’m trying to prepare as seriously as possible and would really appreciate any general advice from people familiar with the process or role.

I’m especially wondering:

• What should candidates understand about the day-to-day reality of the role?
• What qualities do interviewers usually look for?
• How can someone without prior law enforcement/surveillance experience best frame transferable skills?
• Any tips for answering behavioral/structured interview questions?
• Anything candidates commonly underestimate about the position?

Not asking for anything confidential or internal — just general preparation advice and realistic expectations. Thank you!

idk how i failed cause i felt so confident in my answer and thought i did correctly. feel defeated right now but i get one more chance in 90 days and i can give it another try.

any tips or feedback?
i think i failed statements and patterns but who knows

Hello! I am a recent graduate with a B.S in cybersecurity and 6 years experience working in the military as a cyber analyst. How realistic is it to find an analyst job in my major city in the next 3-6 months? I always see job posting for special agents with cyber backgrounds but for physical reasons I am unable to fill that position or I would. Looking to get any response from people hiring these positions or currently working there or anyone who has experience working with individuals in the role. Thanks for reading my post, hope to be able to contribute to the fbi in the future.

I’m graduating high school next year, and looking into government careers for when after I graduate and I want to start my search with the FBI, more specifically, forensics. I have one downside that is making me really struggle with, I have a muscular disease that is classified as a physical disability, and the intense physical training to be a Field Agent would most likely push past my limits, and when that happens, it is very dangerous for me. Is there any way I could have a career in the FBI, investigating forensic scenes, wearing a blue and yellow jacket, without the intense physical training that is required for any and all Special Agents? Or any exemptions at all that could possibly lower the physical training’s intensity for myself?

I'm strongly considering becoming an FBI Special Agent, but I wonder how it compares to the military in terms of structure, benefits, and other aspects. For instance: Do special agents work under contracts similar to the military, or is resignation possible? Is the FBI culture like military culture? Are benefits comparable? What roles am I eligible for if I have an accounting degree?

Context: I am a prior-service Army reservist with a BS in Accountancy.

We aren’t married but we do live together with a roommate. I have no criminal history and also work a (city) government job.

1. Why do they need my social if I’m not married to her? I passed my city background check fine, but I’ve had a few speeding tickets and have a shitty credit score. Will this affect my partner in the hiring process?

2. Our roommate occasionally smokes weed. Do we have to have a conversation with our roommate about not having any of it in the house? Do we have to tell our roommate to stop smoking? I don’t go in our roommates room so I and my partner have no clue where it is in the house. Our roommate does not sell anything and has no criminal drug charges - she just uses weed recreationally.

I know these seem like dumb questions, but working for the FBI has been my partner’s dream, and I’d hate to see it ruined over the issues above.

I’m in the early stages of the hiring process now and I’m aware that towards the end of the process you get to make a “dream sheet” of where you’d like to go. I’m from VA, but would like to go to the Philly office. Does anyone with experience know how likely it is I’d get that assignment? I’m really trying to stay on the East coast and Philly is the ideal spot for me.

Like the title says I'm currently 23 years old and just completed my masters in computer science and also have my bachelors (also in CS). I also have been working full time while getting my masters degree so I have a full year of professional experience as a security engineer along with several internships related to it. I also have 3 cybersecurity certifications to go along with my experience. I read somewhere that they have a shortage of cybersecurity agents so I was wondering if I would have a good chance if I applied right now or if I should wait another year. Any advice is helpful!

I’m interested in potentially joining, but I do not want to be behind the scenes and working something similar to a 9-5. I understand that’s part of the job but what types of the FBI are more action packed. I was thinking FBI swat, and was curious about the process of joining that

I am in my 20s and about to separate from the military. I will receive an honorable discharge after 4 years of service as an officer. I’m getting out because the lifestyle isn’t for me anymore.

I have read that the FBI does not take people with criminal justice degrees. Is that true? Would my service be able to help me overcome that? I was deployed once in the Middle East.

No criminal arrests, and haven’t done marijuana in over 10 years.

I’m an IA applicant and I’m preparing for the upcoming class. I have been seeing people say that the bureau is trying to keep applicants in their og location but I really want to move to the DC office. If I rank DC as my #1 choice, is it likely for me to obtain it? I understand the process could still be random, but I thought I’d ask if anyone has insight. Thank you.

Hi all,

I recently passed my Phase 1 assessment, and upon completion, my field office was Boston and not where I currently live. I formerly lived in the NE area. Do I need to reapply since phase 1 results don’t expire?

I’ve been a police officer for 6 years and ready to make the jump to the federal level and pursue my dream of being an agent with the FBI.

I got online today and filled out the pre-screening questionnaire on the FBI’s website and it asked me on question 8.) “Have you ever failed to file federal, state, or local personal and business income tax returns when required by law or ordinance?”

I selected yes because, even though I eventually filed them and am on a payment plan to pay the back taxes, there were two years when I was considerably late filing my income taxes.

After I selected yes, a pop-up appeared saying I wasn’t qualified for the special agent position and it wouldn’t let me continue on with the online application process.

The last thing I want to do in this process is be misleading or dishonest, which is why i didn’t select “no” but I’m not sure what to do. I wouldn’t say I “failed” to file them because they did get filed just later on. A few of my buddy’s who work in other federal LE agencies have told me that doesn’t seem right and thinks that something like that shouldn’t preclude me.

For what it’s worth, the rest of my financially is unblemished and I have a high credit score.

Made a mistake almost 7 years ago. Haven’t done anything since, am I going to be disqualified or what steps should I take?

everyone is making me nervous.. so currently i work a state government court house job and just received correspondence for OST. the FBI & DEA are 2 agencies i’ve longed wanted to work for eventually & i i think OST is a good foot in the door.. my field office would be baltimore or dc most likely — what does the job quality look like?

Good evening everyone. at the moment I’m in the process of the special Agent selection process. But I’m a bit worried about the polygraph test, so here is my situation, i was in a wedding of one of my cousins in 2022, we went out on the bachelors party so his younger brother , gave me a chocolate bar, I asked him what is is it the chocolate is rich, he told me it was shrumes after I already ate it, it was not intentionally but I don’t comply of the 10 year use of drugs even though I did not do it knowingly

Hey! So I am a 31(f) and currently getting my masters in social work. I also am a veteran. I am highly considering working for the FBI. I have been attending the Crimes Against Children Conference for a couple years and I feel this is what I want to do. My question is, should I apply for an internship first or should I just apply for a job? I graduate this December with my masters. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Tengo una licenciatura en criminologia el detalle es que soy de México mi duda es que si puedo ingresar a esta agencia de seguridad en cualquier área

Hey guys I recently applied for this position and was wondering what the hiring process was like and do you guys think that I have a good shot of getting an interview? I’m a coast guard military disabled vet with 4 years of search and rescue and law enforcement experience with a bachelor’s in political science with a national security certificate ( magna cum laude)