Career Opportunities with the FBI Other Than Special Agents

Being an FBI agent is about more than making life miserable for Richard Jewel, getting into jurisdiction clashes with the NSA and CIA and hunting down aliens and flukemen. Just because you don't have a background in criminal law doesn't mean you can't find a career opportunity with the FBI. Just remember that not everybody is cut out for the FBI. With so many people wanting to join the Bureau, they can afford to take on only the best and the brightest.

Photographer

If you possess the ability to properly operate photographic equipment including concealed cameras and telephoto lenses, you just might qualify for a career with the FBI. The Bureau uses experienced photographers for everything from taking inventories of seized evidence to aerial mapping to examining enhanced images to identify important information.

Biologist

A bachelor's degree in one of the biological sciences such as biochemistry or biotechnology can get you into the FBI. Biologists are used by the FBI to examine and analyze body tissue, fluids and stains. Forensic examiners are generally heavy with biological background rather than just being a doctor with a background in physics like Dana Scully. The increasing importance of DNA evidence means that biologists working for the FBI will be working with an enormous database of samples against which newly acquired samples can be compared.

Scuba Diver

If you know all about diving beneath the waves in full scuba regalia, then your experience could lead you straight to a job as a scuba trainer or even to becoming a member of the FBI's scuba team. Keep in mind that those on the scuba team are likely among the best conditioned agents in the Bureau. Training never stops when the scuba team because there seems to always be some new need. Scuba agents may be called upon for search and rescue operations, locating bombs and explosives and collecting evidence tossed overboard.

Financial Analyst

Yep, the FBI needs boring accountants, too. These agents will need a background in operating principles of economics, court proceedings and information analysis. Did you ever see "All the President's Men"? If so, you'll remember the directive given to Bob Woodward by Deep Throat: follow the money. The job of a financial analyst with the FBI is one of the most important and useful because they are charged with following the money trail that so often upends the worst intentions of white collar criminals who think they can get away with it. And usually do by the time it's all over.