Management position for future SA

[Kimble]

I'm at a dilema right now. I'm about to graduate with my master's degree in Dec. and have been applying with various FLE for 1811 positions. I also applied for a Program Director position for an online college's CJ program. This position would entail managing the program and the instructors who teach the courses, deciding what courses would be taught, handling the programs budget, and various other management-type responsibilities. I had lunch with the dean today, who offered me the position. I accepted, as the offer was too good to turn down, but have yet to sign the proverbial dotted-line. My question is this...

Will a position of management of the type I'm speaking about be a good field of experience for a furture SA applicant (particularly with the military agencies: OSI, NCIS or CID)? If I do take this position, I plan to also become a reserve deputy sheriff in my county, or a reserve officer in the USCG, in order to keep my resume directed towards a future as an 1811. I'm needing some opinions on this matter, especially from those who have participated in the hiring process for FLE agencies. Would this position be beneficial for a future 1811 applicant after 3-6 years working experience (I'm currently 24, so in the time period I mentioned I'd still be young enough to be competative)?

[Nole795]

Applicants from a wide range of different backgrounds and professions are hired into the federal government. I have worked alongside federal agents who were anthropologists, small business owners, software designers, school teachers, morticians, letter carriers, and local/state law enforcement. In other words, you don't have to have a law enforcement background to be picked by a federal agency. Every federal agency is different as far as what knowledge, skills, and abilities they look for in an applicant. Your best course is to contact the agencies you want to work for and talk to a recruiter. If I were in your shoes, I would take the job that was offered since you saw it as an"offer too good to turn down." As you will see, being processed by a federal law enforcement agency can take anwhere from 1 to 3 years. Hope this helps and good luck.

[Kimble]

I have worked alongside federal agents who were anthropologists, small business owners, software designers, school teachers, morticians, letter carriers, and local/state law enforcement.

Thanks for the response. This is interesting to know, particularly as some have the mind set that a federal agent must come from either the military or LE.

[tunlrat]

ROS.
Never put your life on hold in "anticipation" of getting a FLE position. Go on with life as if you're not even in the process at all, that way you won't go loco. Trust me. That program director job sounds great, & in my opinion, WILL look good on your resume for future Fed employment. Just don't do it for like 2 months or so & then quit; that won't look good. Feds LOVE to see supervisory experience & not always necessarily military and/or LE experience, although it is nice to have. Yes, half my class at FLETC were prior military or LE types but the other half weren't. I had recent college grads, bank tellers, toll booth collectors, security guards, etc. for classmates & they got hired so that's pretty good odds. Good luck 'cause we all know what you're going through! :cool:

[tunlrat]

ps
You might want to pick up a foreign language skill. Having gone through the OSI "wringer" myself, I truly believe that was the determining factor in me NOT getting hired.

Just my $0.02

[Kimble]

Feds LOVE to see supervisory experience & not always necessarily military and/or LE experience, although it is nice to have.

This is good to hear, as this is what I've heard from numerous sources, and what ultimately made me decide that taking the position I've chosen would be conducive to my future career prospects as a federal criminal investigator. Thanks again for the insight. BTW, tunlrat, I'm curious as to what your background was (education and experience) prior to your application with AFOSI?

[tomahawk134]

ROS

I would agree with the previous posts. Any experience would be better than NO experience. Depending on the Federal Agency you would like to apply to. This job will enhance your pospects for a Special Agent Position with any agency. Good Luck

tomwoolworth

[tunlrat]

ROS;
I had some 3 years combined local (patrol only) & Fed LE experience & the ubiquitous CJ bachelor's degree. They didn't give a rat's tail that I graduated in the top tier. I'm telling ya: language, language, language! NCIS is probably the same way too.