question about federal agencies

[pjb6282]

Hello, I'm a 24 year old grad student about to receive my degree in criminal justice. I want to get into federal law enforcement but I heard they do not hire anybody without experience. I have no experience but I was wondering if they do hire people right out of college, and if so what agencies?

[Switchback]

Several agencies may hire you right out of college.

Ok, that being said.. it is not the norm. Most that are hired right after (or shortly after) college also bring something to the table. Remember, that it is rather easy to be qualified for a fed criminal investigator job (I assuming these are the fed jobs to which you are referring). However, to get hired, one need to meet the "most competitive" category. Most make this through a combination of college, military and/or experience. LE experience is not necessary, but you will need to bring something to the table.

Your best bet is to apply to the fed jobs you want and go on with your life as if those apps are not even out there. It is a long process and you cannot put your life on hold in the meantime. Always do things to make yourself more marketable, whether it is getting hired by a PD, certifications, a second language, community service, etc.

[JBT]

Not true. Many agencies hire people with no experience. Best bet find the agency you want to work with and contact the local field office. They can get you in contact with the recruiter from their agency. Also if you can't get on with the agency you want initially, just get your foot in the door of the federal LE system. Look through this area for other threads pertaining to your situation, there have been a number of posts entered by members who work for various fed agencies, and there is a lot of good info.

[Switchback]

JBT, I was referring to 1811 jobs (criminal investigators). If you could please enlighten me as to what agencies regularly hire people fresh out of college without job experience or military. It's simply not the norm.

Now, several other job series will. The 1811 tends to be the most competitive series in the fed system.

[chewy]

True for 1811's. You might consider getting into an 1801 or 1895(CBP) or Park Ranger, FPS etc., position. You will be a certified Federal Officer so you can get some experience then, with a couple years of experience and a degree behind you, it's easier to transfere to most any other 1811 jobs. Thats if you want to be a SPECIAL Agent. If you just want to be a regular shmo you can stay with something like CBP Officer or FPS Officer or, if your really daring, Border Patrol (they get shot at a lot). There are always options, you just have to look into what each does, decide what you want then apply like hell.

[Nole795]

Several agencies may hire you right out of college.

Ok, that being said.. it is not the norm. Most that are hired right after (or shortly after) college also bring something to the table. Remember, that it is rather easy to be qualified for a fed criminal investigator job (I assuming these are the fed jobs to which you are referring). However, to get hired, one need to meet the "most competitive" category. Most make this through a combination of college, military and/or experience. LE experience is not necessary, but you will need to bring something to the table.

I agree with Switchback. The chances of getting on as an 1811 with just a college degree is pretty slim. I only know of one person in my agency who was hired with no experience, but she was a Masters Graduate (Psychology) and was very fluent in Spanish. And she accepted a position in a small town on the border near Mexico.

As JBT mentioned, contact the aegncy recruiter that you are interested in and see what qualifications they are looking for. There is also the option of entering the federal system as a uniformed law enforcement officer, working a number of years and laterally changing over to an 1811 position.

In case you did not know, 1811 is the series number for "Criminal Investigator." Which is a Special Agent position.

Hope this helps.

[Group9]

DEA will hire straight out of college if you have the requisite grade point. Go to www.dea.gov and see if you make it.

[tunlrat]

Great responses to a question that's been asked on more than one occasion. Why does everyone & their mother want to be an 1811 anyway (it's true cuz I want to be one too!)? Pjb6282: do a search of this forum & you'll find even more great responses to this ubiqutous issue... :cool:

[JBT]

JBT, I was referring to 1811 jobs (criminal investigators). If you could please enlighten me as to what agencies regularly hire people fresh out of college without job experience or military. It's simply not the norm.

Now, several other job series will. The 1811 tends to be the most competitive series in the fed system.

Actually, Switch, I wrote my response to the original post. When I posted mine, voila yours was there. I agree that in the 1811 positions it definitely is not the norm, and related experience is crucial in my mind. Actually, ATF has hired a few of late. Some with masters degrees (various diciplines), some with numbers backgrounds (accounting, etc), not everyone with prior LE or Mil experience. I have also seen some in ICE and OIG primarily. Many other Fed LEO position hire w/o experience straight out of college. But a good way to go if you don't have experience and still have some time left in school, is an internship. In some agencies this will help you through the process. Hope this clarifies what I said.

[Dispatch243]

Hey there PJB. My Husband is a "regular schmo" with FPS (Federal Protective Service). Been with the organization for 23 years. He has seen the ups and downs, but really encourages starting as a FPO (Federal Police Officer) and moving up from there as a LESO, a CI, then up the chain of command. However, I thought I heard some gossip that they may be giving the boot to the LESO program or change the job series - not sure because it was gossip. There are many regions throughout the US that are run quite well and have great leaders - like southern TX. He has no complaints here because he's not near the politics as much as he used to be in another region. I am sorry that I can't remember the web addy for FPS...do a search under FPS or Dept. of Homeland Security. Get back with me and let me know how things work out for you. Good luck!

[Sleuth]

During my time teaching at the Academy, about 25% of each class of new hires were fresh out of college. It did not seem to make a difference as to how they did on the job. Back in the Dark Ages, I got hired right out of college.

[chewy]

Hey there PJB. My Husband is a "regular schmo" with FPS (Federal Protective Service). Been with the organization for 23 years. He has seen the ups and downs, but really encourages starting as a FPO (Federal Police Officer) and moving up from there as a LESO, a CI, then up the chain of command. However, I thought I heard some gossip that they may be giving the boot to the LESO program or change the job series - not sure because it was gossip. There are many regions throughout the US that are run quite well and have great leaders - like southern TX. He has no complaints here because he's not near the politics as much as he used to be in another region. I am sorry that I can't remember the web addy for FPS...do a search under FPS or Dept. of Homeland Security. Get back with me and let me know how things work out for you. Good luck!

True, The big trick is to avoid DETROIT at all costs. Our management is.... well, I don't want to say because DHS might monitor this and send the black helicopters and JBT's to get me :D

[Nole795]

During my time teaching at the Academy, about 25% of each class of new hires were fresh out of college. It did not seem to make a difference as to how they did on the job. Back in the Dark Ages, I got hired right out of college.

Yea but back then, you only had to enforce the ten commandments :D

Sorry Sleuth, I could not resist.

[JBT]

True, The big trick is to avoid DETROIT at all costs. Our management is.... well, I don't want to say because DHS might monitor this and send the black helicopters and JBT's to get me

Doesn't everyone want to work in Detroit. I mean I absolutely loved my time, there. HA!!! Oh and Chewy, we JBT's get black helicopters as issued "G" equipment. Got mine parked in the back yard. :cool: :D

[chewy]

Doesn't everyone want to work in Detroit. I mean I absolutely loved my time, there. HA!!! Oh and Chewy, we JBT's get black helicopters as issued "G" equipment. Got mine parked in the back yard.

I laugh sometimes at the ignorance. MY dad has his FFL and he used to always talk about the Black helicopters and thoes "damn cowards in their black hoods..." I had to laugh one day when he saw pictures of me when I was on the entry team, then it was like...Well, not you, just the ATF. Sometimes I think he spews his conspiracy **** just to hear himself talk, its rather entertaining. We love ya though JBT :D