Are these qualifications competitive, or do I need military/LE experience?

[StartingOut]

Hi. I will be applying to 1811 agencies soon and I wanted to get some opinions on whether my current qualifications will be competitive. I already know that I meet the minimum standards required from the agency web sites.

- BS in computer science, 3.8 GPA
- JD, 3.5 GPA
- 8 years of work experience (2 abroad, 4 as an attorney, and 1 year in the computer field)
- Physically in fairly good shape

My biggest worries are:

- that I'll be applying with a million other lawyers and law grads and I won't stand out
- that I have no prior law enforcement experience
- that I have no military experience
- that the most competitive applicants have a degree, military/LE experience (like about 5 years), and have other factors that make them extra-desirable.

From reading many posts on this site and other sites, it sounds like prior military or LE experience is very useful in getting an 1811 job, and that many ex-military people are very successful in getting hired. And it also sounds like there's countless law grads trying to get hired.

What are your recommendations? Should I go into the local PD for a couple of years first?

In case it helps, I'm thinking about FBI, DEA, USSS and ATF for my first set of applications.

[Switchback]

There really aren't that many law graduates/lawyers applying (many wouldn't pass the BI).

You are right. The MOST COMPETITIVE will have LE and/or military experience, along with education. Graduate education is a benefit, but not a huge one. That same time spent getting military/LE experience would usually bemore beneficial. With that said, you should still have a chance. You will not necessarily be in the most competitive category, but I would still put in for the announcements.

I am not even going to bother with suggesting an agency. Don't get me wrong, I have opinions on all of them. However, (with almost 13 years as an 1811) my perception of an ideal job may be drastically different than yours.

[BP348]

In case it helps, I'm thinking about FBI, DEA, USSS and ATF for my first set of applications.

Any of the above would be a good choice. From what I've heard a law degree or computer science are both degrees that the FBI likes, & I would think USSS as well. But, you need to do some research on each/every agency you want to apply with. Every agency has it's good and bad and only you know what type(s) of investigations you really want to do.

As Switch stated there are not many with a law degree. I think I've met 2 guys with law degrees. I really haven't met many with graduate degrees so in your case either degree will help. Having a CS & JD can only be a plus.

How old are you?

[UpOnBase2]

Hi. I will be applying to 1811 agencies soon and I wanted to get some opinions on whether my current qualifications will be competitive. I already know that I meet the minimum standards required from the agency web sites.

- BS in computer science, 3.8 GPA
- JD, 3.5 GPA
- 8 years of work experience (2 abroad, 4 as an attorney, and 1 year in the computer field)
- Physically in fairly good shape

My biggest worries are:

- that I'll be applying with a million other lawyers and law grads and I won't stand out
- that I have no prior law enforcement experience
- that I have no military experience
- that the most competitive applicants have a degree, military/LE experience (like about 5 years), and have other factors that make them extra-desirable.

From reading many posts on this site and other sites, it sounds like prior military or LE experience is very useful in getting an 1811 job, and that many ex-military people are very successful in getting hired. And it also sounds like there's countless law grads trying to get hired.

What are your recommendations? Should I go into the local PD for a couple of years first?

In case it helps, I'm thinking about FBI, DEA, USSS and ATF for my first set of applications.

I hate these kind of questions, but will take a swing.

Just apply and see what happens, the worst thing that can happen is they say no...big deal. You already have a good job and better education than most.

I am guessing you are about 34ish per your timeline, still have some time before hitting the 37 cutoff. If nothing happens soon, apply for an easier to land gig like USCP/USSS-UD/BP/FAMS and "stop the clock" and keep going after the 1811 gig.

[Kbozz007]

I hate these kind of questions, but will take a swing.

Just apply and see what happens, the worst thing that can happen is they say no...big deal. You already have a good job and better education than most.

I am guessing you are about 34ish per your timeline, still have some time before hitting the 37 cutoff. If nothing happens soon, apply for an easier to land gig like USCP/USSS-UD/BP/FAMS and "stop the clock" and keep going after the 1811 gig.

This is one of those "Magic Ball Questions!" I however second what UpOnBase says. Given your possible age I would apply to those agencies that interest you NOW and see what happens. The clock may be ticking!! You may also look into those other agencies that UpOnBase mentioned. Apply for those, get accepted, and stop the clock!!

I wish you nothing but the best. It took me almost 3 years from the beginning to date of hire.

-KBozz :D

[Nole795]

Your qualifications are fine. The only thing I would say is do some research on other agencies that are available. You picked the BIG 4 and there are other agencies out there that may offer more for you. Like Switch, I find some of your agencies to be outside of my particular tastes.

Good luck to you.