How did you get into the FBI?
You have to have a law or medical degree, speak a foreign language, or have any college degree plus three years work experience to get in. I went to law school and realized the day-to-day work of being an attorney--the paperwork, the sitting behind the desk--wasn't me. I wanted a job that wasn't the same thing each day.
It actually took three years for my application to go through the whole process, which is normal. After I took the admittance test, it took six months to get an opening at the FBI Academy. The program is sixteen weeks long, with courses in basic investigative techniques, defensive tactics, firearms training, tactical driving--where you learn how to handle your vehicle at 100+ miles per hour--and Hogan's Alley, which is a series of live simulations of scenarios like arrests.
How do you do what you do? Describe your process.
Every day is different. Sometimes I sit at my desk and sift through evidence I've collected. Sometimes I'm out of the office on surveillance. Other days I'll be giving testimony on a case, or obtaining a search warrant. Because I work in a major metropolitan office, there are many large-scale arrests and everybody in the division is usually called on to assist. So some days I'm part of an arrest team, where you show up at a residence and take the investigation target into custody and down to Federal Court. That's what you see on TV.
How many people are involved in what you do?
I work closely with a group of sixteen people and I have a partner, which is not typical, but is just the way my squad is organized.
What do you like/dislike most about being an FBI agent?
I love being part of the FBI family. People aren't here for a big paycheck but because they want to make a difference in the world around them. The worst thing is the hours. We are required to work ten-hour days on average, so sometimes you work sixteen hours and sometimes you work eight. And you have to be available 24-7.
What was high school like? Were you into the FBI?
I studied a lot in high school. I was really interested in going to law school then, and was focusing on that.
What other kinds of things do you do? What else would you like to try?
Being in shape really helps with the stress of the job, so my hobbies tend to center around sports. I ran my first marathon this year, and next year I want to do a triathalon.
I was assigned to the white-collar crime division and have been here for three years. It's mostly bank and credit card fraud. People don't realize how much white-collar crime has changed from what it used to be. It's become the crime of choice for organized crime groups down to local gangs. The payoff is higher and the risk lower. Before, they would rob banks at gunpoint. Now they can rob a bank from their computers at home.
