Expert: Jason Grabill - 1/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I am writing to ask some questions about working for federal law enforcement agencies.  (FBI,DEA,...)  I am in college and going to be pursuing a degree in criminal justice.  I am interested to know which federal law enforcement agency has the most agents or which one I would have the best chance of getting hired with as an agent?  Also, do you know if you can apply for positions with a few different agencies at the same time?  Thanks for your help!

ANSWER: Cody:

 It's really going to depend on who is doing the most hiring at the time you put a resume in, not who has the most agents or officers.  For example, Fish and Wildlife service just opened up and they are hiring 21 agents.  That's a big number for them and those positions will be heavily competed for.   The FBI does regular hiring for it's Special Agents, almost like a regular police department does, because they have certain academy dates they must fill.

 Really, it's going to depend on what you want to do.  I will tell you, however, that a CJ degree isn't really going to help much.  EVERYone who wants to get into law enforcement either has one or is working on one of those.  You are better off getting a degree with some other speciality, in my opinion, esp. if you are looking at federal agencies.  Accounting, History, Journalism, just about anything that gives you a B.S. degree will put you 'ahead' come application time.   Remember, you'll be competing with prior military people as well, who will get veterans preference over you if you haven't served.   That CJ degree makes you just 'one of many qualified candidates'.

 You can apply for multiple positions at the same time, yes.

 Lastly, if you go to www.officer.com and check out their forum section, you'll probably find lots better information that I can give you.

Jason

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey, thanks for your help!  I have one more question though.  The reason I was thinking CJ is because I thought that would prepare me for a career as an officer.  How will getting a BA in accounting, history, journalism, etc, serve me better in becoming an agent?  Thanks Again

Answer
Cody:

 As I said, EVERYone thinks that.  A cj degree teaches you what the LEO academy teaches you, all over again.  Having a degree in cj is like going through a law enforcement academy twice, except you pay for the CJ degree.  

  The FBI, for example, prefers to hire people with accounting degrees.  A cj degree does you little good when applying for them.   

  BA degrees in more advanced studies can be put to use in different areas in law enforcement work.  It also shows you are not single issue, but rather multi-faceted.

 Lastly, law enforcement is all about writing.  The better you read, write and speak, the better you will be able to perform as a law enforcement officer in whatever capacity you choose.  

Jason