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FBI Career Paths: Explore Opportunities in the Bureau

There are many FBI career paths to consider, such as those that involve investigations, surveillance operations and intelligence analysis. Some opportunities for specialization include forensics, legal, linguistics and cybersecurity.

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Read time 5 minutes

GCE Editorial Team

Published on Oct 23, 2025

Written By

GCE Editorial Team

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Career Corner|Criminal Justice and Legal Studies|Forensics

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USAFacts. (2025, Sept. 12). How Does US Law Enforcement Work? Who Has Jurisdiction? Retrieved Sept. 21, 2025.
Burge, S. (2025, March 1). CIA vs. FBI – 5 Key Differences. International Security Journal. Retrieved Sept. 21, 2025.

Approved and verified accurate by the Assistant Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on Oct. 13, 2025.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

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Types of FBI Agents

To determine which area might suit you best, it can be helpful to review the types of agents and their different job responsibilities. There are many areas of specialization within the FBI, some that keep you at a desk and some that put you out into the field.

Investigations and Enforcement

Some professionals within the FBI focus on conducting criminal investigations and performing direct law enforcement responsibilities. The FBI often focuses on counterterrorism efforts. They investigate threats such as government corruption, human trafficking and domestic terrorism, among others.

Some of the typical job duties can include:

In the office: Reports and data analysis
In the field: Interviews, evidence gathering and search warrant execution
In courtrooms: Testimony

Intelligence Analysis

Some of the FBI’s professionals focus on intelligence analysis. Within the intelligence community, these professionals focus on gathering information from sources like field reports and external partners, and analyzing that information to identify trends and patterns. They may also look to identify gaps in intelligence, which can inform data collection efforts.

Intelligence analysis can support the strategies and programs developed by the FBI. It can also provide operational support, offering real-time insight to help their colleagues overcome operational challenges and identify potential threats.

Surveillance Operations

Surveillance operations are a key job responsibility for many of those who work for the FBI. This position is essential for gathering information on cases. For example, a surveillance team may seek to gather information connected with a certain location believed to be linked to criminal activity, to specific people or both.

Surveillance operations involve the monitoring of locations and individuals using visual and audio technology and techniques. Once the data are collected, these professionals will analyze the data and deliver insights to others working on the case.

Some of the key tasks associated with surveillance operations at the FBI include the following:

Traveling around the local area, region or country to assist with investigative efforts where needed
Identifying locations for setting up observation of a location or person
Setting up and operating technology used to capture visual and auditory intelligence
Writing regular reports about the individual(s) and/or location under surveillance
Testifying in court about the surveillance operation

Surveillance teams at the FBI typically do not make arrests, but rather provide the intelligence needed for other teams to execute search and arrest warrants.

Positions in the FBI

Investigations and enforcement, intelligence analysis and surveillance operations are some of the common examples of the key functions and areas of responsibility that FBI professionals may work on. However, there are many opportunities to specialize for those who choose to pursue an FBI career path. Some of those specializations include cybersecurity, law and linguistics.

Cybersecurity

The cybersecurity specialization at the FBI focuses on protecting the nation and its infrastructure from cyberattacks. These professionals investigate crimes, such as malware attacks, data breaches, fraud and digital espionage. They collect and preserve digital evidence, respond quickly to incidents and collaborate with other intelligence and law enforcement partners to disrupt cyberattacks.

Related Article: Is Cybersecurity a Good Career?

Linguistics

As a multicultural nation, the U.S. boasts a wide variety of languages. Professionals who specialize in linguistics and language interpretation may support operations that involve audio or written materials in languages other than English. These experts may translate and analyze written documents, assist professionals conducting interviews and making arrests with interpreting services.

Law

Lawyers within the FBI provide counsel and guidance on a range of legal issues. These might include everything from national security to contract law. Lawyers also work to ensure that FBI operations are within legal bounds and comply with all applicable laws. They may additionally provide law training to other FBI professionals and handle administrative matters, such as personnel issues.

Forensics

FBI employees specializing in forensics collect evidence at crime scenes and analyze it in laboratories. They may analyze DNA, fingerprints, hair, fibers, firearms and digital devices. They develop reports of their findings and may be called to testify in court.

Some of these professionals may specialize in a specific area of forensics, such as DNA analysis or digital device analysis. Forensic scientists may work on anything from missing persons cases to investigations involving acts of terrorism.

Related Article: Digital Forensics vs. Cybersecurity: What Are the Differences?

Forensic Accounting

Financial professionals who specialize in forensic accounting support the FBI’s efforts to investigate financial crimes and other types of crimes with aspects of potential illicit finances.

Some of the financial crimes these professionals may work on can include:

Money laundering
Funding of terrorists
Healthcare fraud
Cybercrime
Organized crime

Some of the key responsibilities of forensic accounting professionals include reviewing financial records, tracking money laundering and developing investigative reports that detail their findings. Forensic accounting specialists can also testify in court about their methods and findings.

FBI vs. CIA: What’s the Difference?

Although both the FBI and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) are members of the intelligence community, there are some notable differences. The FBI focuses on intelligence gathering and operations in the U.S., although the FBI may work internationally if a case involves a U.S. citizen who is located abroad or if the case otherwise requires crossing an international border. In contrast, the CIA has no authority domestically to conduct operations or enforce laws within the U.S.; it is supposed to only focus on gathering intelligence abroad.²

Similarly, while the FBI is a law enforcement agency that is also in the business of intelligence gathering, the CIA has no law enforcement powers and cannot make arrests. Instead, the CIA may put its intelligence to use conducting covert operations, including espionage, influence campaigns and acts of sabotage.²

What is the difference between the CIA and FBI in terms of transparency? While the FBI does conduct classified operations, and not all information may be released during an open investigation, the CIA largely works in strict secrecy. Its missions are classified, and it relies extensively on undercover operatives.²

While there are many differences between the CIA and the FBI, there is also some overlap. Both agencies are members of the intelligence community, for example. At both agencies, there is a strong emphasis on intelligence gathering and analysis, and to accomplish these tasks, both agencies rely on methods like surveillance, interviews and the use of advanced technology.²

Both the FBI and the CIA have the mission of working to protect the nation. Some of their responsibilities overlap, such as in the case of counterterrorism and cybercrime, which means there are opportunities for specialists within both agencies.²

Lastly, the FBI and the CIA may sometimes work together when their missions and interests overlap. For example, they may share intelligence or coordinate counterterrorism efforts.²