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