CONSIDERED A CAREER AS AN FBI LANGUAGE SPECIALIST?
Here’s What It’s Like: Up Close and Personal

03/04/05

Marina Parsegova’s job as an FBI Language Specialist and Analyst has put her smack dab in the middle of some very interesting conversations—everything from translating interviews between agents and suspects in a transnational money-laundering ring operating in the United States … to policy talks between FBI Director Robert S. Mueller and Russian officials in Moscow. She’s been on the job for six years.

Q. Marina, can you describe some of the cases you’ve worked on?
Marina: Some of the most interesting have involved Russian organized crime groups operating in big cities in the United States. They had their hands in everything: money laundering, bank fraud, smuggling prostitutes, murder, and racketeering. On one case I was on the scene during the take down of a strip club where prostitution and illegal gambling ran rampant. I was impressed to see how federal agents and local law enforcement worked together as partners on that case and I was thrilled to be a part of that team.

Q. What’s a typical working day like?
Marina: There is no such thing as a typical day. And I love that. I might be translating a document, and all of a sudden I’ll get a call that I am needed for a phone interview or a witness interview. Or a presentation needs to be quickly translated into Russian. Or there is a trial somewhere and I am asked to testify. Or I’ll get an assignment from FBI Headquarters to interpret during meetings in Russia on counterterrorism between the Bureau and its Russian counterparts. The list is endless.

Q. What do you like best about the job?
Marina: I like first and foremost that I am helping law enforcement agencies by providing them with the support and analytical skills they need. All Language Specialists will tell you that they love languages, and they love to do linguistic research—and I do, too. However, I am most proud when a Special Agent asks for my analysis on some specific subject. Because of my expertise, I can give him or her specific insight and a better understanding of a person’s cultural background or social circumstances. That’s the beauty of being part of FBI operations: a Language Specialist can tell an agent much more about a person or a group of people who speak the same language than any well-translated document could possibly convey.

Q. Any advice for prospective recruits?
Marina: To me, working at the FBI is a great honor. I would tell recruits that the job takes a lot of dedication. And it takes precision—mistakes made here can affect people’s lives. It can be exciting, but it can also involve routine work. Whether you want to become an agent, an analyst, a linguist, or a clerk, you must be a professional, a good professional. Then you will love the work and you will be highly appreciated.

Links: Apply to become an FBI Language Specialist