2 answers
Jrace
Student
Madison, Mississippi
1
Question
Asked
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What is the day in the life of an FBI agent #Spring25?
Im currently interested in becoming an FBI agent and wonder what their day to day looks like.
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2 answers
James Hernandez
Account Manager
11
Answers
Heredia, Heredia Province, Costa Rica
Updated
James’s Answer
A day for an FBI Special Agent is never the same and often full of surprises. They might be carrying out search warrants, keeping an eye on someone, speaking in court, or chatting with informants, all while juggling paperwork and investigations. What they do each day depends on their case, role, and what the FBI needs.
Here's a closer look at what they might do:
In the Field:
- **Investigations:** Agents look into many types of federal crimes, like terrorism, cybercrime, fraud, and violent crime.
- **Surveillance:** They watch people or groups to gather information.
- **Gathering Evidence:** This might mean searching places, collecting evidence from crime scenes, or getting electronic records.
- **Interviews:** Agents talk to witnesses, victims, and suspects.
- **Arrests:** Sometimes, they help arrest people.
In the Office:
- **Paperwork:** Agents write reports, document their work, and prepare affidavits for search warrants.
- **Case Management:** They handle ongoing cases, working with other agents and law enforcement.
- **Intelligence Gathering:** They meet with informants or study data to follow criminal activity.
- **Court Testimony:** Agents might have to explain cases and present evidence in court.
- **Community Outreach:** They may talk to schools or law enforcement about crime prevention.
Other Duties:
- **Training:** Agents keep learning new tactics and techniques.
- **Specialized Roles:** Some agents focus on areas like fingerprinting, lab work, or public relations.
- **Supervisory Roles:** Some may lead teams, managing other agents and their tasks.
Here's a closer look at what they might do:
In the Field:
- **Investigations:** Agents look into many types of federal crimes, like terrorism, cybercrime, fraud, and violent crime.
- **Surveillance:** They watch people or groups to gather information.
- **Gathering Evidence:** This might mean searching places, collecting evidence from crime scenes, or getting electronic records.
- **Interviews:** Agents talk to witnesses, victims, and suspects.
- **Arrests:** Sometimes, they help arrest people.
In the Office:
- **Paperwork:** Agents write reports, document their work, and prepare affidavits for search warrants.
- **Case Management:** They handle ongoing cases, working with other agents and law enforcement.
- **Intelligence Gathering:** They meet with informants or study data to follow criminal activity.
- **Court Testimony:** Agents might have to explain cases and present evidence in court.
- **Community Outreach:** They may talk to schools or law enforcement about crime prevention.
Other Duties:
- **Training:** Agents keep learning new tactics and techniques.
- **Specialized Roles:** Some agents focus on areas like fingerprinting, lab work, or public relations.
- **Supervisory Roles:** Some may lead teams, managing other agents and their tasks.
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
138
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
an interesting profession to consider.
First, James's answer is very comprehensive and I would take a very close look at it.
At one time, one had to be a lawyer to be an agent, but that is no longer the case, but the specifics of a college/university degree which the Bureau prefers, I would go to their site and explore. As well as any physical requirements.
In addition, I would recommend that you keep up with current news, which means newspapers, which will give you a more comprehensive overview of pertinent current events.
And then there are several books related to the work of the Bureau, both past and current. Explore those as well.
At this point, in my opinion, you need all the information you can get.
And don't forget, once an agent, you could be assigned anywhere in the country and be working with people of varied personalities.
First, James's answer is very comprehensive and I would take a very close look at it.
At one time, one had to be a lawyer to be an agent, but that is no longer the case, but the specifics of a college/university degree which the Bureau prefers, I would go to their site and explore. As well as any physical requirements.
In addition, I would recommend that you keep up with current news, which means newspapers, which will give you a more comprehensive overview of pertinent current events.
And then there are several books related to the work of the Bureau, both past and current. Explore those as well.
At this point, in my opinion, you need all the information you can get.
And don't forget, once an agent, you could be assigned anywhere in the country and be working with people of varied personalities.