CONSIDERED
A CAREER AS AN FBI INTELLIGENCE ANALYST?
Here's What It's Like: Up Close and Personal
12/10/04
Ella Gant has had
a marvelous career...and in a variety of FBI locations across the country
during her 13 years in the "Bu." Always ready to help out on
Specials, she's volunteered for temporary assignments as diverse as coordinating
evidence regarding allegations of illegal presidential campaign finance
in Washington, DC, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the 2002 Winter Olympics
in Salt Lake City. Along the way, she fell in love, married a Special
Agent, and in 1997 took on the challenge of becoming an intelligence
analyst. She loves it—and she loves the fact that she has been
able to join her husband in his changing assignments and still keep working
in her field—so far, Washington, DC; Memphis; Dallas; and now New
Orleans.
Q: Ella, what
are some of your most exciting experiences?
A: It's
hard to capture them all because I've been lucky enough to be involved
in a number of high profile investigations and also part of specific efforts
to prevent acts of terrorism. In terms of personal satisfaction, though,
I think I would have to say my most satisfying experience has been working
a domestic terrorism case that involved involuntary servitude and slavery—where
women and girls were being transported from Central America to Texas and
forced into prostitution. I was able to work the case from its inception,
providing research and analysis that helped lead to the ring being dismantled.
I even participated in the final takedown, assisting with evidence. Very,
very satisfying.
Q: What's your
job now in New Orleans?
A. It's
fascinating. Basically, I'm the Reports Officer for our FIG (Field Intelligence
Group)—and that means I research and write IIRs (Information Intelligence
Reports) on specific topics and cases. I also prepare threat bulletins
as needed. I love the variety—every day is different and involves
a number of different and complex projects.
Q: What do
you like best about the job?
A: That's
easy: I like it that I can work on so many interesting cases—and
make a substantive contribution. I know that my research, my analysis,
my link/association charts, and my assessments help solve cases and, even
better, help prevent crimes and acts of terror from happening in the first
place.
Q: Any advice
to prospective FBI recruits?
A: I
would say that they should be prepared to love the work. Intelligence analysis
is a great job—and a great job to have in the FBI. Its one of our
many areas where you know your work really makes a difference.
Link:
Interested in applying? Go straight to www.fbijobs.gov