12/29/05
For
Lori Stampley, the lure of joining the FBI
two years ago wasn't the prospect of donning
a raid jacket or staking out the bad guys.
Fresh from law school, she was drawn to
the behind-the-scenes work of analyzing
reams of information and looking for patterns
and clues. Now she's an intelligence analyst
in our Criminal Investigative Division,
where her skills in strategic analysis are
shaping how agents go after gangs and other
criminal elements. Lori talked to us about
her job and why she likes it.
Q.
Why did you decide to become an intelligence
analyst?
Lori: I had worked for law firms during
my summer vacations and decided law enforcement
was a better fit for me. I'm drawn to this
type of work because it requires great attention
to detail and changes constantly. This keeps
me engaged and challenged every day. I also
have a great deal of creative freedom. My
managers encourage me to pursue the trends
I choose while also giving me excellent
guidance. I have the best of both worlds.
Q.
What's a typical working day like?
Lori: I usually multi-task throughout
the day, staying on top of new developments
while doing research and analysis. I attend
meetings with other investigative agencies
and work closely with agents and analysts
from other divisions to help their cases
or produce intelligence reports for field
offices or the larger intelligence community.
It's important to communicate with the operational
units we support—it helps us produce
a stronger product.
Q.
Can you describe an interesting case you've
worked on?
Lori: Sure. When I first started here
I spent a month in Charleston, West Virginia,
working alongside agents and local police
investigating a series of deadly shootings.
I pulled records, analyzed links, and ran
database searches based on information gathered
by agents. Each time the agents came in
they could see how their information fit
into the larger picture. The experience
gave me an idea of what kind of information
is helpful and what isn't. It was a great
opportunity for me to see the nuts and bolts
of how the operational side works.
Q.
Have you ever traveled overseas on a case?
Lori: I traveled to Suriname with another
analyst to teach a two-week course on intelligence
to local law enforcement and intelligence
groups. It was a very rewarding trip; I
was in a part of the world I might not have
seen on my own, and students were eager
to learn how they could enforce their own
laws more effectively.
Q.
Do you have any advice for FBI recruits?
Lori: I would say that flexibility is
crucial. Candidates who are excited by opportunities
to think creatively and travel to new locations
where challenges await them are a great
fit for the analyst position. I would advise
potential recruits to consider using their
academic training in a way they may not
have considered before. Have an open mind!
Apply
today! Go to www.fbijobs.gov.
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