Up Close and Personal with an FBI Intelligence Analyst

Considered a Career as an FBI Intelligence Analyst?
Here’s What It’s Like: Up Close and Personal

02/04/05

Kim arrived at FBI Headquarters this past August and hit the ground running. As an “all-source” intelligence analyst, she works in CID, our Criminal Investigative Division. Just listen to her story...after only 6 months on the job.

Q: Kim, can you tell me about any exciting assignments you’ve undertaken since you came onboard?
Kim: Yes, because I really have had some exciting assignments even in such a short time. For example, writing an Intelligence Assessment on an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang operating in the Pacific Northwest. Before I was given the brief, very few facts were known about this gang. My research ascertained the scope of the gang’s current criminal activities and its recent alliances with other gangs—a first and proactive step to opening a federal investigation. Another intriguing project involved health care fraud in one part of the country. My research turned up a list of health care providers in that region with aberrant billing patterns—and this information was included in a comprehensive Intelligence Assessment for agents in the local FBI office who specialize in health care fraud investigations.

Q: What’s a typical working day like?
Kim: Pretty intense, that’s for sure. I spend most days conducting research and writing on a full range of criminal matters. I’ve mentioned outlaw motorcycle gangs and health care fraud—but I also have projects on public corruption, organized crime, and different kinds of white-collar frauds. The heart of the work, as I’ve indicated, is writing intelligence assessments that fuel investigative operations. These vary—some take a matter of weeks to complete; others take months. At any given time, I am usually working on 2-4 different projects. I really love the variety.

Q: Can you tell me what you like best about the job?
Kim: Well, if you ask me about “The Best,” I have to say it’s knowing my work helps make the United States a safer place. But right up there at the top is loving the nature of the work itself—always something new and interesting to research; very rewarding to apply the skills I learned in graduate school to my analytical work here; plus abundant opportunities for travel, training, and advancement.

Q: Any advice to prospective FBI recruits?
Kim: Patience, patience, patience! The applicant process is long, but it’s well worth the wait to get onboard. In the meantime, you should work on your computer skills, writing skills, oral communication skills, and knowledge of law enforcement and intelligence matters. I did and am glad I did—that’s what got me off to such a fast start right from day one.

Why wait? Apply at www.fbijobs.gov!