Up Close and Personal with Analyst Adam Laux

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

09/23/05

Adam Laux joined the FBI almost two years ago after working as a consultant with clients in the public and private sector. He liked his jobs, which mostly involved research and analysis. But they lacked that special something he says he gets from sleuthing as an intelligence analyst specializing in investigations of organized crime. “It’s corny, but true,” he says. “I like serving the country in some small way.” Adam took a few moments to talk to us about his life at the Bureau.

Q. Can you tell us a little about your job as an intelligence analyst?
Adam: Sure, I’d be glad to. I specialize in transnational organized crime matters, so the cases I work run the gamut: white collar crimes, drug trafficking, alien smuggling, illegal gambling, money laundering, labor racketeering, and murder to name a few. I get a lot of opportunities to work in the field alongside agents, which always proves to be mutually beneficial—the agents get much-needed help and I get to learn up close how criminal enterprises operate, which makes my intelligence work that much stronger.

Q. What do you like best about the job?
Adam: Past jobs have been rewarding in many ways, but none have provided me with a sense of duty and public service that I get from this job. Sure, someone might pay me more for private consulting, but then I wouldn’t get to help bring down organized crime groups or travel around the United States and internationally, building the nation’s criminal intelligence base. The work is constantly challenging and stimulating.

Q. You mentioned traveling. Where has your job taken you?
Adam: I’ve trained law enforcement officers in Bulgaria and the Philippines in analytical collection methods and tools. I’ve been to several cities in Italy to exchange intelligence related to organized crime figures doing business or traveling in the United States. I also travel throughout the United States providing criminal intelligence support to field offices and gathering information for intelligence work.

Q. What’s a typical working day like?
Adam: I would say roughly half of my day is spent researching a given organized crime topic so I can draft an intelligence assessment. The other half is usually divided between providing operational support to agents at headquarters or in the field and reaching out to field offices or other members of the law enforcement and intelligence communities to keep the communication and information flowing and current.

Q. Do you have any advice for prospective FBI recruits?
Adam: Come in with your eyes and ears open. The job is incredibly rewarding, but it isn’t for everyone. Doing your homework will help you adjust more quickly and get more job satisfaction early on.

Apply today! Go to www.fbijobs.gov

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