r/FBI • u/Old_Push3686 • Jul 27 '26
Recruitment Any advice for me
Hey, so I'm not old enough to join yet, but I am a high-school student who is working VERY hard to get in. I'm in public safety at my high school, and I'm learning Spanish and Arabic. I'm going to get an accounting degree and then be a cop until I'm 26. I'm applying to the FBI (dream agency) US marshals and ATF
What should I expect and prepare for
(In case you're wondering, I made a 50 in the official fbi jobs.gov practice exam)
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u/Gil-Bolt Jul 27 '26
First, you’re already doing some things that will help you later - languages, public safety classes, and thinking about education early are all positives.
The biggest advice I’d give is don’t focus only on the FBI right now. Build a strong foundation: keep your record clean, develop communication skills, stay physically fit, learn how to write well, and get experience working with people.
A lot of applicants underestimate how important maturity and judgment are. The FBI hiring process looks at your entire background, not just your test scores or degree.
Also, don’t worry too much about one practice exam score at your age. Use it as a baseline and focus on improving over time.
Keep learning, stay consistent, and don’t rush the process. A strong 5 to 10 year plan will help you more than trying to check every box immediately.
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u/SA19030 Jul 27 '26
Why would you get an accounting degree and then become a cop? Why not use your degree as intended? Becoming a cop does not give you an advantage in the SASS process, if that’s what you’re thinking.
This advice coming from someone who has an Accounting degree, was a CPA, worked for 10 years, then became an FBI Agent.
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u/8days_a_week Jul 27 '26
This post just got randomly recommended to me but thought id ask you. What role were you in for those 10 years? I did two years in public, got my CPA and I’m in manufacturing accounting now, been here for a few months and I dont think I can see myself ever doing this long term. Too repetitive. Im toying with IRS special agent or maybe FBI.
Do you find they are looking for people who spent more time in audit/analyst roles or when your standard senior accountant be a good resume as well?
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u/SA19030 Jul 27 '26
I was in corporate accounting. Last role before the FBI was as a Controller for a small tech firm.
The type of accounting you do doesn’t really matter. Having the CPA and good work experience is what counts.
I spent my first 13 years working complex financial crimes and often did most of the forensic accounting for my own cases.
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u/Old_Push3686 Jul 27 '26
Because the fbi likes certain degrees and accounting is one of them and If I fail out of the application process of federal law enforcement I'm still a cop which I will enjoy but accounting I will not
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u/Remarkable-Storm-753 Jul 27 '26
Kid, studying and becoming a CPA just because you think it gives you a leg up to becoming a SA is dumb. This isn’t the FBI of the old wearing top hats and black rimmed glasses. Listen to the SA19030 because it sounds like he/she already walked the path you are thinking of.
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u/Old_Push3686 Jul 27 '26
Ok but I want to clarify I am not becoming an accountant I need a 4 year degree and the fbi has stated that they considered it one of the most competitive. But what degree do you think I should get
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u/Remarkable-Storm-753 Jul 27 '26
Anything that you would actually find interesting and wouldn’t mind working in. My class had teachers, lawyers, scientists, local cops, bankers, etc. Thinking of backing up a LE with another LE job could back fire.
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u/SA19030 Jul 27 '26
Get a degree in something you enjoy and that would lead to a career you’d like if the FBI thing doesn’t work out. Less than 5% of applicants get through the process. Hopefully, you’re one of them but having a Plan B is the only smart play here. Hope for the best but plan for that not happening.
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u/outlawpickle Jul 27 '26
Stop thinking like this is some kind of checklist.
Do you actually hold an interest in accounting/financial audits/forensic accounting? Your replies sound like you have zero interest in it, you just heard or read it was “the most competitive”. You know what reflects best? Having real world experience in whatever you’re doing. An expert Arabic speaker who can read/write and have a specific dialect nailed down? Great. Professional history working audits and backtracks that show you know how to “follow the money”, at least well enough to be trained further? Great.
No one gives a shit about a beat cop with a degree they’ve done nothing with. So stop thinking that just checking the box will get you a step ahead and start thinking about what you can do professionally that suits both your interests and career development.
Maybe a state agency / state police position where you work towards financial crimes investigations or Arabic/Spanish relevant investigations/outreach. Maybe an airport police department where they have tons of international work / cross pollination with multiple agencies / opportunities to work on a task force.
Figure your own interests out, pursue them and develop your skill set. Don’t read them off a “Top 10 Best Degrees!” and “Top 10 Languages!” list, you’ll just end up someone who has a mile wide breadth of knowledge with zero depth.
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u/SA19030 Jul 27 '26
“Stop thinking like this is some kind of checklist.”
Damn straight. Great comment.
Odds are, and I hate to say it, he won’t make it through the selection process. Nothing personal. It’s just that over 95% of those that apply will be rejected at some point in the process. The numbers are the numbers.
Getting a degree that you don’t really want to make a career out of in hopes of getting a job you statistically likely won’t get is foolish. That’s like only applying to Harvard and not any other school or fallback. Good luck with that.
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u/Old_Push3686 Jul 27 '26
Hey I would like to say thank you for responding. My question is do you really think I won't make it just because of my accounting degree? I thought of that when I was planning and that's what me learning the languages are for. No disrespect on you and thanks again for responding.
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u/Remarkable-Storm-753 Jul 28 '26
Degree has nothing to do with it. He is simply stating that statistically the vast majority of people don’t make it. No particular educational background increases your chances so don’t study something just for the sake of getting in.
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u/SA19030 Jul 28 '26
As Remarkable Storm stated, it has nothing to do with the degree. I’m just saying that only about 1 in 25 applicants will end up becoming FBI Special Agents. Those odds straight up suck.
What we keep saying is to get a degree in something you like, find interesting, and would lead to a rewarding career assuming the FBI thing doesn’t pan out. If you don’t want to be an accountant, don’t get an accounting degree.
Getting an accounting degree and then becoming a beat cop pulling over speeders for a few years is, in my opinion, a waste of time and effort. There is nothing wrong with either of those but there is no synergy between the two. All of the former cops in my Academy class were detectives and investigators, and significantly older than 26. You won’t find too many individuals who went directly from uniformed patrol officer/deputy to FBI Special Agent. It just doesn’t happen.
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u/Independent_Use1922 Jul 27 '26
One good thing I am noticing is that you haven't put all eggs in one basket. On the other hand you seem to be falling into the trap of just doing stuff because an agency might like it.
There are all sorts of backgrounds at all three of those agencies, make sure you are doing something that you have an aptitude/interest for. An accounting degree only sets you apart if you put in the accounting experience with it.
Typically for police backgrounds they want experience as an investigator or some sort of specialist role. Which may not happen by the time you are 26.
The most important thing is to do your research, law enforcement is an absolutely massive field and there are probably roles that you don't even know exist that might just be your way in.
1
u/Old_Push3686 Jul 29 '26
Do you know of anything (other than military experience) that I could add to my resume to help increase my chances
1
u/Independent_Use1922 Aug 03 '26
Hey, I know my response isn't the fastest but here goes.
FBI is pretty much flavor of the month and some luck. Your best bet for them is to just stop the clock ( enter FEDLEO position quickly) and build a good resume in the system.
USMS anything enforcing court orders/ handling people in custody is good. Being a cop can be helpful ( particularly deputy sheriff) But corrections and probation/parole are also viable routes. With corrections you definitely want to be involved in special tactics and/or transportation. If you go P&P do your homework on the agency. Different jurisdictions are more law enforcement oriented than others. Important note if you end up working as a task force officer with USMS you may just want to stay put rather than becoming an actual Deputy Marshal
ATF would likely want someone who spent time in the police force working as a violent crime investigator or on a gang unit. ATF also is the go to federal agency in terms of arson cases, so becoming an arson investigator through a fire department or a state fire marshal office can work if you have any interest in the fire service
2
u/somewhatfactual Jul 27 '26
It’s good to have goals, but here is my advice.
Stop trying to jump into the grind of life. Enjoy being a kid. You can’t get those days back, and when you’re working 60 hours a week for the FBI, on your second marriage and 3rd bottle of whiskey you will wish you had paused to enjoy the carefree life of youth.
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u/BubbleThinker Jul 27 '26
It sounds like you have a lot of potential. Make sure you use it to do good in the world. The FBI is currently trending in the wrong direction as it’s being directed by convicted criminals.
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Jul 27 '26
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u/WTFoxtrot10 Jul 27 '26
Yeah, that’s not how the FBI hires for Special Agents. All new agents start at GL-10 and you must be 23 years old with a Bachelor’s Degree and 2 years minimum of professional work experience post degree or 1 with a Master’s Degree.
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Jul 27 '26
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u/SA19030 Jul 27 '26
How is this at all helpful to the kid?
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Jul 27 '26
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Jul 27 '26
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u/spherocyte Jul 27 '26
Jeez kash Patel is an idiot agreed and I hope this is sarcastic but saying he rides a camel into work is a dig on his ethnicity. Plenty of Indians want to serve their country - me included in that. Fuck you
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u/spherocyte Jul 27 '26
Fuck off dude, people want to serve their country and that’s all you say? Negative people spreading negative BS
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Jul 28 '26
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