FBI eyes Bucks students
ADAMSTAPENELL
Issue date: 11/17/09 Section: Campus News
|
came to Bucks on Nov. 10 to
recruit future agents. His presentation
included interesting stories
from his 15 years of service in the
bureau.
Branch, a recruiter for the
Philadelphia FBI office, spoke to
a group of students in Tyler Hall
on Tuesday about opportunities
in the federal law enforcement
agency. This was his second visit
to Bucks for recruitment efforts.
The presentation was attended
by approximately 25 students.
While some may believe that a
quick road to the FBI is preferable
to finishing up their college
careers, there is no such thing.
Branch explained that the FBI's
recruitment criteria exclude those
without a four year degree and at
least three years of real-world
work experience.
Once these criteria have been
met, the testing involved in the
application process can be quite
difficult.
For instance, the drug policy
could keep many potential agents
ineligible. The bureau requires
that their applicants have not
smoked marijuana for a period of
at least three years, and any harder
drugs will keep you out for
even longer.
There is a three-phase testing
system meant to weed out the general aptitude test, the second
is an interview meant to determine
what qualities you would bring to
the agency,
and the third is
a writing sample.
If an applicant
manages
to pass these
tests, they
move on to
training at the
FBI Academy
in Quantico,
Va., for 20
weeks of intense
training
in federal law
enforcement.
Once a new agent graduates
from Quantico, Branch said, "You
must be willing to relocate anywhere
in the U.S."
This is because a new agent has
no control over which field office
they will be assigned to. The new
agent will spend four years at their
first field office before even being
eligible to move elsewhere.
Approximately 70,000 people
apply to the FBI each year, so
competition is tough.
All of this should not deter applicants
from trying, though.
Agent Branch was formerly in the
Air Force. He applied to the FBI
and followed a life-long dream of
becoming an agent.
Branch explained that the bureau
that he was accepted by was
different than the bureau now.
Today the agency has shifted its
priorities to fighting terrorism.
He told the audience about
being sent from his Philadelphia
field office to NewYork City after
the 911 attacks. Later he was sent
to Trenton, N.J. due to the anthrax
scare.
When asked whether law enforcement
and forensics shows
like CSI have generated increased
interest, Branch said, "Yeah, we
get a lot of free advertising from
TV shows and movies."
Agent Branch's message was focused
on the FBI's need for diverse
and competitive applicants.
He highlighted the wide range of
disciplines and opportunities
available for those who make it
into the program. He further
stressed that anyone could potentially
become an agent, provided
that they fulfill the preliminary
criteria provided the FBI's web
site.