Are You Good Enough For the FBI?

Posted on Dec 16th, 07:09 pm, under Career Advice

Do you think you have what it takes to work for the FBI? Contrary to what you might assume, it's not all about kicking down doors and interrogating terrorists. A lot of brainwork goes into an agent's job, and every operative must possess at least one critical skill in one of the following areas: 

1. Law

Many agents qualify for the FBI as lawyers. If you want to take the same path, you'll need a JD from an accredited law school as well as a four-year undergraduate degree, typically in political science, English, or criminal justice.

2. Accounting

If you're a CPA with at least three years of accounting experience or its equivalent, then you could qualify for FBI service. The FBI needs experts who can follow money trails and sift through financial records of suspected criminals, thus making accounting an essential skill for agents.

3. Language

Given the nature of its investigations, the FBI is always in need of adept foreign language specialists. A bachelor's degree in any field will suffice, along with knowledge of one or more foreign languages. Speakers of Arabic, Hebrew, Chinese, Hindi, and Farsi are in particularly high demand. You'll need to pass an additional Bureau-administered competency test to qualify.

4. Computer Science

If you've got excellent computer skills, then the FBI wants you. As an investigator, your task will include going through vast amounts of digital data in order to find clues to prevent crimes or terrorist attacks. You'll need at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or computer science, in addition to certification as a Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE) or Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP).

5. Diversified

This category includes every other skill that the FBI considers valuable. Mathematicians, psychologists, detectives, scientists -- all of them fall under this department. To get in through this track, you must have an undergraduate degree (either an AB or a BS) and three years of full-time work experience in your field, or two years of work experience if you have a post-graduate degree.

Besides meeting these academic requirements, you must be an American citizen between 23 to 27 years of age to qualify as an FBI agent. You'll also need a valid driver's license, and you must pass a background and illegal substance check. Finally, in addition to all these requirements, you've got to be fit -- all applicants must pass a physical fitness test before they can even enter the academy for training. (See what one special agent has to say about entering the FBI here)

Getting into the FBI can be tough, but if you really want to do something that's both patriotic and productive, you'll find that working in your country's service can be a truly exciting and fulfilling career.  

Great Careers for Night Owls

Posted on Dec 16th, 07:08 pm, under Career Advice

Hate waking up early every morning and dragging yourself to work? Do you find that you hit your stride when working just as the clock hits midnight? If you're a night owl who performs best during late hours, here are several careers that might interest you:

1. Chef

Whether it's catering at an evening buffet, or cooking for a restaurant's dinner rush, there's a lot of opportunity in the culinary world for night owls. As a late night chef, you may also be put in charge of preparing the next day's morning service or early morning deliveries; don't forget hospitals and late night diners. If you want to work as an independent, you'll find private clients who want to pick their own meals and menus. Given the variability in positions, you can expect to earn anywhere from $25,900 to $46,00, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you're interested in this line of work, you can find more information on training here.

2. Nurse

People never stop getting sick or injured, and hospitals never close. Whatever the time of day or night, a nurse must always be around to provide critical care and assist doctors. As a night shift nurse, though, you'll enjoy some additional advantages - the work load tends to be lighter, and you'll have more responsibility and autonomy because fewer hospital administrators will be around. Registered nurses can make around $57,300 per year, according to the BLS. Night shift nurses can earn significantly more, between $58,00 to $64,000 yearly.

3. Police officer

As a police officer on the night shift, you'll be running patrols and responding to calls, and you'll have to be especially vigilant since criminal activity increases during the hours of darkness. Working the police beat at night is no joke, but somebody has to keep people safe from harm. Most police officers earn around $47,000 a year, but since you'll be doing night work, you can expect to get extra pay. The exact amount varies by department and location (check positions online).

4. Night school teacher

If you've got a bachelor's degree, and don't mind working beyond standard class hours, you might want to teach at an adult school. Most classes at adult schools don't start until 6 pm onwards, so it's a great job for night owls. Although a bachelor's degree is the minimum, a post-graduate degree in education is much more preferable. You'll instruct students in topics like English as a second language, remedial reading, math, and so on. You'll earn around $40,000 per year as a night school teacher, with some regions offering even higher pay.

5. Photojournalist

If you like being at the scene of the action, whether it's at a crime, an emergency, or a sporting event, then this is the job for you. Newspapers and other news services need pictures of events of interest, no matter where or when they happen. Since many news events occur at night or before dawn, photojournalists need to be ready to go at any time. As a photojournalist, you can expect to make $38,000 a year or more, according to the BLS.

Jacks Of All Trades: Versatile Degrees

Posted on Dec 16th, 07:06 pm, under Career Advice

When it comes to adaptability, admittedly, not all majors are created equal. Some degrees have an advantage over others in the number of fields and positions that demand their particular skill set:

1. Psychology

One of the most popular degrees among college students, psychology can be applied to a diverse array of industries. In addition to your technical training, the critical thinking and scientific approach to problem-solving that psychology teaches will serve you in any career you might choose.

You might apply to any of the following positions: psychologist, teacher, case worker, human resources manager, youth corrections officer, sales representative, public opinion researcher, employment agency counselor, health educator, creative director.

2. Communication

Good communication skills are crucial in almost every modern industry today. When considering new hires, employers consistently rank written and verbal communication skills as the top criteria. Unfortunately, they frequently find most new graduates lacking in precisely these requirements.

As a communication major, this should be your strong suit. Your skill in public speaking and relating with clients and customers will serve you in practically any job you can think of. Good career options include the following: lawyer, bank officer, campaign manager, restaurant manager, actor, hotel manager, events planner, TV news anchor, lobbyist, public information officer, and more.

3. Biology

Biology is one of the most versatile disciplines among the "hard sciences". Aside from their solid analytical skills and scientific training, biology graduates are in demand because of the nature of our most pressing problems today, such as environmental issues and health care.

Career options include: physician, zoologist, biochemist, marine biologist, science writer, ecologist, forensic scientist, teacher, forester, mortician.

4. Business administration

A degree in business gives you widely-applicable skills and opens options for you in almost every field, ranging from health care to information technology. You should put particular emphasis on your transferable skills, such as management and organization, writing, and public speaking.

Possible positions include the following: marketing specialist, loan officer, account executive, human resources manager, labor relations manager, recruiter, financial analyst, communications officer, CEO, real estate broker, and many more.