October 31, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR JEANINE BROSCH IN INDIANA
I recently applied to the FBI for a position as a field agent so I may be
able to answer some of your questions. The FBI will accept applicants in ALL fields.
I have a degree in Electrical and Computer engineering which at the time was
sorely needed in the bureau. Roughly 10,000 people apply to the FBI each
year and only 1000 are granted approval for the interviewing process which can
take up to one year. Of those 1000, roughly 100 are accepted. In order to qualify
you must have 20/20 vision (can have LASIK to correct if needed) and be
physically fit (they do require a physical examination). They also prefer at least 2 years
work experience (can't apply right out of college). If accepted you would train
for 4-5 months in Virginia and they assign you to a location as needed. There policy
however is they will not assign you to the location you originally came from. So if when you were accepted you lived in NY, you will not get assigned in NY. So all in all, I found the
requirements to be too restrictive and did not continue the interviewing process. Just keep
in mind it is VERY difficult to get into either organization so always have a back-up
career to fall back on!
Good luck.