Expert: Dick Rogers - 3/2/2009

Question
Good morning. I am 31, currently working in Sales for a transportation company. I am very interested in a career change to law enforcement, particularly federal law enforcement. I do not have experience in this field, but I do have a college degree and 9 years of business/management/analytical experience. Is it even possible for me to enter this field? And if so what should be the next steps?

Answer
Eric, I would think you would be a prime candidate for a federal law enforcement career...particularly with the FBI.  Two things are in your favor...you have a college degree (pretty much a minimum for the FBI), but more important, you have experience in a field that is very much part of what the FBI is involved with: business (shady dealings, money laundering, etc.) and management techniques that skirt the law.  I might even mention a third thing that would improve your chances...your age...you could most likely give a solid oral interview about settling on a career in law enforcement that younger, less experienced applicants, cannot duplicate.  I am presuming that your life, to this point, is devoid of any criminal convictions, etc.  Go for it!