1. How does the Volunteer Internship selection process work?
There are four stages to the Volunteer Internship Program hiring process:

1. Application Package � All required documents must be completed by the deadline date.
2. Initial Selection and Interviews � The most competitive candidates will be selected directly for the program or invited to interview. If you are invited to interview, the meeting will be conducted at your local field office. All travel expenses are the responsibility of the student. Interviews will be conducted about four weeks after the application deadline. The most competitive candidates will receive a conditional offer.
3. Background Investigation - Candidates who accept a conditional job offer will be asked to complete the required background investigation paperwork and will be scheduled for a security interview, pre-employment polygraph examination, urinalysis test, and fingerprinting at the FBI Field Office nearest to their college/university or permanent address. FBI investigators will also contact former and current employers, references, social acquaintances, and neighbors, and review school, credit, arrest, medical and military records. The length of your background investigation depends on a number of different variables, including how quickly and thoroughly you complete the background investigation documents; the extent of your foreign travel or time living abroad; and inconsistencies in the application and investigation process. Please see the Background Investigation portion of this site for more information on the FBI Background Investigation process.
4. Enter on Duty - Upon successful completion of the background investigation, you will be contacted and assigned an enter-on-duty (EOD) date. The Volunteer Internship Program generally begins in mid-June.

2. How long does it take to be hired as an Intern?
The length of the hiring process will depend upon the length of the background investigation. The FBI will commence with the background investigation as soon as selected candidates complete all of the necessary paperwork. In the past, most Volunteer Internship candidates received their security clearance shortly before the beginning of the internship.

3. Who is my point-of-contact during the application process?
The Applicant Coordinator in your particular field office will be your primary point-of-contact during the application process.

4. May I apply for more than one FBI Internship Program at a time?
No.

5. I am a citizen of another country. May I apply?
No. All interns must be United States citizens. If you are a U.S. citizen and hold dual citizenship with another country, the FBI Security Division will have to review your file to make a determination if you are eligible for employment with the FBI.

6. I will be graduating soon. May I still apply for an internship?
All interns must still be students at the time of the internship. Your school is a partner in the internship program, so you need to be in the same school when you participate in the internship as when you apply. You do not need to be receiving academic credit for the internship (although some students do), nor do you need to be attending classes during the internship. You simply cannot have graduated and must still be considered a student by the school.

7. Will I have to pass a polygraph?
Yes. Successful completion of a pre-employment polygraph is a necessary condition of employment for every FBI employee. The polygraph will deal with verifying information submitted on your application, drug and alcohol abuse, and national security matters. Please review the Background Investigation portion of this site for more information on the FBI Background Investigation process.

8. If I have taken illegal drugs in the past, can I still work for the FBI?
The FBI's illegal drug policy is both clear and explicit. No exceptions will be made to the policy, and your answers are subject to verification by urinalysis and pre-employment polygraph examination(s). Please review the FBI Employment Disqualifiers and the FBI Employment Drug Policy to ensure you are eligible to apply for employment with the FBI.

9. If I have traveled or lived abroad, will that hinder my receiving a security clearance?
No. Many of the positions at the FBI are internationally oriented, and experience living or traveling abroad is often viewed as a positive experience. However, there are cases where national security concerns may arise. Additionally, extensive foreign experience may delay the background investigation process if there is difficulty verifying information on the application.

10. My background investigation is taking a long time and the program begins soon. Should I assume that I have been disqualified?
No. You will be notified in writing if you have not been accepted.

11. Does the FBI furnish housing?
No. The FBI does not pay for housing accommodations; however, we will assist the student with identifying affordable housing accommodations.

12. Can I have roommates who are not FBI employees?
Yes. All of your roommates, however, must undergo a security check. Upon your entering on duty you and your roommates must complete a roommate background data form (FD-773).

13. How will I get to work?
Field Office assigned interns are expected to live within a commutable distance to the field office they are applying to and utilize whatever transportation means appropriate.

14. May I have a paying job while I participate in the internship?
Yes. Some interns acquire evening or weekend jobs. You will be asked to complete a form for approval of the employment to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest or other legal issues.

15. May I take any time off during the internship?
Interns will have all Federal holidays off. Reasonable accommodation will be afforded for needs such as job interviews or school business. As a guideline, interns may take "leave" similar to a new employee - approximately one day per month.

16. My school calendar does not match the dates of the internship. May I start on a different date?
Reasonable accommodations will be afforded.

17. May my internship supervisor from school make a site visit?
Yes. The FBI staff is eager to meet with school representatives and to provide whatever feedback is requested. Of course, school officials will not be allowed access to files or other sensitive materials.

18. Can I earn academic credit for my internship?
This must be determined by your academic institution. Some interns in the past have earned credits.

19. How should I dress for work during the Summer Internship?
Appropriate attire for men includes business suits, sport jackets, and slacks, shirts, and ties. Appropriate attire for women includes business dresses, dress suits, pants suits, and professional blouses.

20. Will I be offered a full-time position with the FBI at the conclusion of my Internship?
Students are not guaranteed to receive a job offer for a full-time position. Interns who do an outstanding job over the course of the summer, however, may receive a job offer to return to the FBI on a full-time basis once they graduate.