Interest in FBI / CIA?

[Anonymous]

I have a DC who thinks they may be interested in the FBI / CIA. For those who have experience or knowledge in these areas:
1) Am I correct in thinking that a service academy would be a good idea?
2) What other schools?
3) Is there any particular desired major or background? I know some lawyers who have gone to the FBI, but besides this and some tech/computer skills, I'm not sure what they look for in particular.
4) I would not encourage a criminal justice or forensic science major in case they decide they do not want this path and would instead encourage something they could fall back on. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

NSA might also be worth a thought.

[Anonymous]

What kind of work?
Like investigators, secret agent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What kind of work?
Like investigators, secret agent?

Either/or, I think, at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NSA might also be worth a thought.

Yes, that, too. Best way to get there?

[Anonymous]

Start with their websites and see what fields they offer positions in. Choose a major accordingly. Apply for internships.

https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/nsa

https://fbijobs.gov/

[Anonymous]

Accounting, forensic accounting. I’ve heard the same as your #4, OP.

[Anonymous]

As a lawyer, have had contact with FBI agents investigating embezzlement and fraud when a civil case had criminal implications. I think one was a lawyer, and forensic accounting was a large part of the case. I would guess some specialize in financial crimes?

Have not known anyone in the CIA, at least not that they revealed...

[Anonymous]

In demand foreign language, cybersecurity and accounting

[Anonymous]

I have a friend with a fairly important FBI job and he went to state schools for CS, BA through PhD.

[Anonymous]

I have a close friend who was a CIA agent briefly (she learned quickly that the job was not for her). She was a history major.

One of my friends in law school applied to the agency. She comes from a semi-famous family and there’s tons of info on them if you do a google search. I could see why the CIA would not want to hire someone with this profile.

[Anonymous]

Service Academy or BYU. The biggest thing is being able to get clearance, so be careful about having too much fun in school

[Anonymous]

Service academy is probably the best way to get into that line of work. Great networking and skills learned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a close friend who was a CIA agent briefly (she learned quickly that the job was not for her). She was a history major.

One of my friends in law school applied to the agency. She comes from a semi-famous family and there’s tons of info on them if you do a google search. I could see why the CIA would not want to hire someone with this profile.

FBI is in the business of law enforcement. They need to be law abiding citizens. CIA on the other hand, is beyond this level. They are the type that goes overseas to "take out" enemies. No sense in talking about law and order here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a close friend who was a CIA agent briefly (she learned quickly that the job was not for her). She was a history major.

One of my friends in law school applied to the agency. She comes from a semi-famous family and there’s tons of info on them if you do a google search. I could see why the CIA would not want to hire someone with this profile.

FBI is in the business of law enforcement. They need to be law abiding citizens. CIA on the other hand, is beyond this level. They are the type that goes overseas to "take out" enemies. No sense in talking about law and order here.

The CIA is filled with lawyers. Every agency, including IC agencies, produces memos to justify actions. In the case of most agencies, lawyers actually try to make sure agency action is lawful. In the case of the IC, they just pretend knowing their assessments will likely never be released.