Women's History Month: FBI Newark Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed
FBI Newark Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed describes obstacles she overcame to become a special agent.
Video Transcript
Unlike most FBI agents, I never wanted to be an FBI agent and never even thought it was possible. But then 9/11 happened. And I felt as a Pakistan Muslim female it was my responsibility to do something, be part of the solution.
My obstacles to become an FBI agent were not with the FBI. They started at home; I was a mom, I was a homemaker, wife. And it’s unheard of in the Pakistani culture that a mom would join the FBI as an agent.
The second obstacle was physical fitness. I didn’t know how to do pushups. I didn't have the right form. I didn't know how to do sit-ups or even run a mile and a half without stopping. I had a lot of help. I had friends who made me this whole routine to work out and I worked out three months straight working on my form.
My message to females is the Bureau needs you. The Bureau needs a powerful different perspective that comes from women. I would like you to join the Bureau so we can make the Bureau a much better place than it already is.
Video Download
Video Source
Recent Video
- 10.09.2024 — Ask an ASAC: Transnational Repression
- 10.07.2024 — Monet Repatriation: B-Roll
- 10.04.2024 — Operation Hate 1-8 B-Roll
- 09.30.2024 — FBI Richmond Employee Spotlight Series: IA Katherine Gallego
- 09.27.2024 — Three IRGC Cyber Actors Indicted for Hack-and-Leak Operation Designed to Influence the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
- 09.25.2024 — Ask an ASAC: Community Outreach
- 09.25.2024 — PSA: Tech Support Scams
- 09.25.2024 — FBI Los Angeles Warns of Hoax Threats
- 09.24.2024 — Ask an ASAC: Public Corruption and Civil Rights
- 09.23.2024 — InfraGard 2024
- 09.18.2024 — FBI Seattle ASAC Discusses White Collar Crime
- 09.18.2024 — FBI Seattle: Ask an ASAC: Counterintelligence
- 09.12.2024 — FBI Protected Voices Initiative
- 09.12.2024 — Prevent Mass Violence Campaign PSA 1:1
- 09.12.2024 — Prevent Mass Violence Campaign PSA
- 09.10.2024 — Inside the FBI Podcast: Safe Online Surfing Program Returns for 2024
- 09.09.2024 — Fighting Fraud
- 08.22.2024 — FBI New Haven Issues Warning About Financial Sextortion
- 08.19.2024 — Frauds and Scams PSA (1:1)
- 08.19.2024 — The FBI Warns of Frauds and Scams
FBI Weekly Newsletter
Subscribe to our email newsletter for news on the FBI, sent out every week.