Thread: FBI Preparation: Alternative Employment

Hey there forum members,

As a new member to this site, I'm posting at this time with a very specific question in mind. See my long term goal has been to one day be accepted as a special agent with the FBI. However, due to age restrictions, current lack of a four year degree and a slight experimentation with marijuana in the not too distant past, I find myself unable to submit an application with the Bureau at this time. I'm 22, about to start my senior year of college with a major in criminology and a minor in Mandarin Chinese and, foolishly, tried pot three times within a year, which I ignorantly just learned automatically requires me to wait three years before being able to be accepted with the FBI. Just being straightforward here. If anyone knows of changes in FBI policy or conditions that would waive my current situation so that I would be eligible to apply now, I'd be happy to hear it.

Otherwise, my question now is what would be the best alternative for me. My original plan was to apply straight out of college due to my proficiency in Chinese which would allow me to waive the three year work experience requirement. Now that I'm going to need to wait three years anyway, I might as well improve my resume's competency while I'm at it. Currently considering law enforcement (likely a police agency) or military but I honestly don't have the best idea on what would be the next ideal move in my situation. Any recommendations are welcome.

Lexr

The FBI will not waive the drug policy for any employee, special agent or professional staff. You can't even apply (and tell the truth) if you have used marijuana in the past 3 years. There is no way around it.

You may want to try another agency and see their policies, but they will most likely be the same. The only one that I know of that is 1 year instead of 3 is the CIA, and that's most likely not LEO.

I assumed as much. Is the same policy standard for any military or local police agency?

In regards to the CIA, I knew about the one year policy versus three. However, would CIA be a recommendable work experience to transition into the FBI from?

So many issues to deal with here.

1) I'm thinking this will be moved to the existing FBI thread. Read the rules.

2) Don't fixate on the pot. It's going to take you at least another three years before you can apply anyway. Here's why:

-You're a senior, so you don't have a degree yet. That's a requirement.
- You don't have any critical skills (as defined by the FBI on their job site) which include being a CPA, JD, fluent bilingual speaker, special warfare operator, have some sort of IT or Chemistry background, pilots licence, just to name a few.
- Without any of those skill sets, you're going to have to come in under the diversified category which requires 3 years of work experience. That's another requirement.
- So now you're up to four more years before you can even apply so as long as you don't inhale again (haha mid-90's humor; you're probably too young) you should be ok.

3) The CIA is a completely different organization that the FBI with a different mission entirely. To sum it up briefly, the CIA gathers intelligence while the FBI enforces the laws. There are about 1,000 ways they vary but what it comes down to is, if you want to be a federal LEO, that's not the place for you.

In conclusion, if you stay on the straight and narrow you will have a shot. Look I remember what it was like to be 22 and have 0 patience. Hell I barely have any now. But this is the part of what I'm saying that is going to really suck to hear:

You can NOT apply to the FBI now. You're going to have to wait until at least that three year period is up and probably longer. No one is going to make an exception for you just because you're you. If you spoke 13 languages, could hack a super computer and had built a secret base on the moon, you might have a shot at them bending the rules.

Finish school, get a solid job or an advanced degree. When the time is right and you qualify for the job, put in.

Go to the jobs website and read up in the meantime.

Originally Posted by thisguyjc24

So many issues to deal with here.

1) I'm thinking this will be moved to the existing FBI thread. Read the rules.

2) Don't fixate on the pot. It's going to take you at least another three years before you can apply anyway. Here's why:

-You're a senior, so you don't have a degree yet. That's a requirement.
- You don't have any critical skills (as defined by the FBI on their job site) which include being a CPA, JD, fluent bilingual speaker, special warfare operator, have some sort of IT or Chemistry background, pilots licence, just to name a few.
- Without any of those skill sets, you're going to have to come in under the diversified category which requires 3 years of work experience. That's another requirement.
- So now you're up to four more years before you can even apply so as long as you don't inhale again (haha mid-90's humor; you're probably too young) you should be ok.

3) The CIA is a completely different organization that the FBI with a different mission entirely. To sum it up briefly, the CIA gathers intelligence while the FBI enforces the laws. There are about 1,000 ways they vary but what it comes down to is, if you want to be a federal LEO, that's not the place for you.

In conclusion, if you stay on the straight and narrow you will have a shot. Look I remember what it was like to be 22 and have 0 patience. Hell I barely have any now. But this is the part of what I'm saying that is going to really suck to hear:

You can NOT apply to the FBI now. You're going to have to wait until at least that three year period is up and probably longer. No one is going to make an exception for you just because you're you. If you spoke 13 languages, could hack a super computer and had built a secret base on the moon, you might have a shot at them bending the rules.

Finish school, get a solid job or an advanced degree. When the time is right and you qualify for the job, put in.

Go to the jobs website and read up in the meantime.

Solid advice. As for critical skills, I was told by a former SA that I might have something that could potentially qualify me in that area: a background and fluency in Chinese. I grew up as a kid over there and at one point was at a native speaking level. Since living in the states the past couple of years, I have certainly gone rusty. I'm also aware that the FBI's DLPT and SPT (correct me if I got the abbreviations wrong) are very difficult, to the point where even native speakers have failed it. Nonetheless, instead of being ticked at myself for poor and costly decision-making, I definitely plan on improving my Chinese while working in some other LE position if that will indeed qualify me for a critical skill.

I'll be reading up on the jobs in the meantime. Intel work intrigues me almost as much as LE, as well as does military operations. Guess I just need to do my research and decide what career will most appeal to me in the meantime until I am actually eligible for a career with the Bureau.

I'll avoid all the how's and why's, but suffice to say CIA to FBI isn't an easy transition. It can be done, but don't think you're going to work for the Agency as an analyst for 3 years, bide your time, and then apply to FBI smoothly.

I would recommend you look at the military, or perhaps some private firm where you could improve your Chinese. Be wary of jobs that would have you living in China, taking long trips there, or interacting too heavily with Chinese citizens. If you do that, you will have a whole different set of problems besides some weed.

Originally Posted by LexrHunte

Solid advice. As for critical skills, I was told by a former SA that I might have something that could potentially qualify me in that area: a background and fluency in Chinese. I grew up as a kid over there and at one point was at a native speaking level. Since living in the states the past couple of years, I have certainly gone rusty. I'm also aware that the FBI's DLPT and SPT (correct me if I got the abbreviations wrong) are very difficult, to the point where even native speakers have failed it. Nonetheless, instead of being ticked at myself for poor and costly decision-making, I definitely plan on improving my Chinese while working in some other LE position if that will indeed qualify me for a critical skill.

I'll be reading up on the jobs in the meantime. Intel work intrigues me almost as much as LE, as well as does military operations. Guess I just need to do my research and decide what career will most appeal to me in the meantime until I am actually eligible for a career with the Bureau.

Don't beat your self up too much. It's not the end of the world. You'll still have a good shot as long as you get some good working experience. If you can improve your language skills you'll be well on your way. Good luck.

A 3-5 year enlistment with military intelligence will get you additional training for proficiency plus the required work experience. The Army has an awesome language school.

Feel free to post FBI questions in the existing FBI thread.
Thanks,
Gonzo