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

12/17/04

When we asked Mrs. R. what she did before joining the FBI five years ago, she laughed and said "Primarily raised three children while supporting my husband's career!" But we think people would describe her as also very focused on public service, including her part-time work, along the way, in U.S. Embassy consular departments, at a military family health clinic, and as a teacher of English as a Second Language. Just listen, for example, to how she describes her FBI job as a Language Specialist:

Q: Mrs. R., can you tell me what you like best about the job?
Mrs. R.: Oh, there are so many things I like. First, I love working with language, whether it's English or the other languages I'm qualified to work in. Then, I consider myself to be well paid, and the work itself is never boring, always collegial. My linguist colleagues are all highly educated, extremely interesting people in their own right. I value the camaraderie of working operationally with Special Agents. Above all, I find it quite marvelous that I can give something back—no matter how small—to my wonderful adopted country, and to feel that millions of Americans may be just a little safer because of my work.

Q: Can you describe your most exciting experiences to date?
Mrs. R: Not in detail, of course, but I can tell you that I have traveled widely on specific cases—all over the United States and also to Pakistan, Italy, and Thailand. "Exciting" is interpreting for U.S. prosecutors during their briefings of witnesses for court hearings...translating documents recovered in raids...and helping conduct polygraph examinations of non-English speakers. Imagine accompanying Special Agents on operational missions that result in arrests. Once I helped extract a confession from a suspect in a major case. My children are amazed at their Mom's job!

Q: What's a typical working day like?
Mrs. R: I always have documents or audio materials relating to court cases and investigations to translate. But it's really the unpredictable that's predictable. I can be called on at any moment to translate for a U.S. official. Or provide cultural/political analysis that will assist discussions with foreign officials. Or accompany Special Agents to conduct an interview. Or go home and pack my bags to accompany Agents on an overseas assignment with a single day's notice. It's been nearly five years since I began working here, and I wake up each morning eager to meet the day.

Q: Any advice to prospective FBI recruits?
Mrs. R: Expect the unexpected! If you love your country and are interested in using your foreign language skills in fascinating and unforgettable ways...and if you are the kind of person who enjoys working on material that is never boring, with colleagues who are a pleasure to work with...well, then this job is for you!

Links: Apply to become an FBI Contract Linguist | Visit the National Virtual Translation Center to learn about contract linguist opportunities.