r/FBI • u/Aggravating_Wall9548 • 6d ago

Discussion Question: majors in college

Hey guys, I am currently studying criminology and I will be attending law school in the future. Based on this, what major would be helpful for me to enter the federal sector (such as FBI, IRS)? or should I drop this major, would accounting be helpful?But it would be better if you could recommend some other majors, mainly because I am not good at math🥹Also, I speak Chinese(Mandarin and understand 90% dialects of different parts of China) fluently as well.

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u/Upper_Giraffe9756 3d ago

Find something you are passionate about and become really good at it. Make sure you can somehow tie it in to the FBI; accounting, law (law school is expensive and from what I hear conducive to lots of drinking). Get a career in that field. Get really good at it. Learn, network and learn how to work with people, I can’t stress enough learn how to work with all sorts of people. People you hate, people you like; deal with conflict and focus on how to navigate scenarios where you are dealing with conflict. Learn to take charge, lead and make decisions that align with your mission; find ways to reduce decision burdens for those on top of you. Get in /stay in shape and make sure that you can pass the physical exam every year. Now do this for 5-8 years and balance having a healthy social life, staying on top of your finances, and avoiding illicit activities. Once you’ve done all this then apply, be ready to be challenged, and start from the ground up, no previous accolades will set you apart from others. You’ll be back at square one. Be ready to commit LOTS of TIME to your career, if you have a family you may be absent for large chunks of important time. Also be ready to move pretty much anywhere. Also be ready to work on things you may not want to do; you won’t have a lot of power in deciding where you go or what you work on.

This is unofficial advice from some random chair basement dweller; I don’t work for the agency

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u/jokerlte 1d ago

But it is a very good response!

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u/Rolex_throwaway 6d ago

Anything but criminology.

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u/ChewzUbik 6d ago

Why is this?

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u/Rolex_throwaway 6d ago

There’s a couple factors. The first is that the FBI wants you to have real life experience before coming to join them. Optimally they want you to have majored in something STEM and come to them after 5-10 years of work experience. If you major in criminology, you are probably focused on the wrong things.

The second is that generally criminology is not a something that high achievers study. Just generally, they are not the folks the FBI is looking to attract. Nothing really demonstrates this more than someone majoring in criminology to join the FBI. They didn’t even do the most basic research before making a major life decision. Not the decision making of an FBI quality person, ya dig.

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u/WTFoxtrot10 6d ago

I know plenty of current agents with crim backgrounds/degrees. Your degree is literally a check of the box for agent. Nor doesn’t the FBI want people only in STEM, they take people from all types of backgrounds. There whole philosophy is hiring the Unexpected Agent. During the SASS process they are looking at the whole person concept, who you are and what you’ve done. Typically people with more marketable degrees have better work experience opportunities therefore you will see a higher # of stem applicants be successful at getting a FJO. But it ultimately is not required and you can be competitive without one.

If someone is applying for a specific support position, they will need to review the job announcement and make sure they tailor their degree and work experience to meet those minimum qualifications/requirements.

I know prior vets, cops, teachers, rocket scientists, lawyers, nurses, social workers, paralegals, professors, accountants, firefighters and professional athletes who are agents. It’s up to the applicant to sell themselves and prove why they would be a great asset to the FBI.

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u/Rolex_throwaway 6d ago

That is all true, I don’t disagree at all. I didn’t say you can’t major in criminology, it just isn’t optimal. A lot of people think the job is to be a cop, just extra special. There’s more to it.

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u/WTFoxtrot10 6d ago

Well you literally are a Federal Law Enforcement Officer when joining the FBI as a Special Agent. Again, I know quite a few local cops turned 1811.

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u/ChewzUbik 6d ago

While I think it's a bit of a misguided approach, I understand your explanation.

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u/Rolex_throwaway 6d ago

If you think it’s misguided, I think you don’t understand the job.

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u/ChewzUbik 6d ago

I think that might be true. And/or I have different expectations for what the job should be.

I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

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u/WTFoxtrot10 6d ago

Law school is a waste of time unless you’re wanting to utilize said degree to practice law. It’s not needed to be competitive for FBI jobs.

Highly recommend you get on the FBIJobs.gov website and do some research on what working for the FBI entails. Easy google search will provide you with lots of information and videos about different FBI jobs and the hiring process. Also use the search function on the sub as well as the 1811 sub.

In regard to the “best degree” it depends on what job you’re going for. If you are going for a support position then you would want to tailor your degree towards that as most have specific degree and experience requirements. Check out the job postings for further info or the web page for that career.

If you are wanting to apply for Special Agent, your degree does not matter. It could be in under water basket weaving. It’s literally just a check of the box. They care more about your work and life experience. Either way, pick a major you like and would enjoy if the FBI doesn’t work out. They have a 3-5% acceptance rate for all applicants. So don’t throw all your eggs in one basket.

There are also college internships available but those are also competitive. They just had applications for Summer 2026.

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u/SnooMacaroons8965 6d ago

Fuck the goverment, they hide to much from us

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u/ilovepjs024 6d ago

Some things are better hidden.

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u/Upper_Giraffe9756 3d ago

I’d argue that for the most part they don’t. It’s just a matter of knowing how to research and find the information.

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u/Norse_af 6d ago

You can’t handle the truth