Here are some pros and cons of working for the federal government. Write down a few reasons why you would like to work for the government, and a few reasons why you might not.

Career

Explore the pros and cons of working in government.

Training new agents for the FBI is a rigorous process. Read more about the process to see if it would be right for you! 

Advice

Find out what it takes to join the FBI.

Get a jump start on what you want do in college or test your interest before you get there by taking a class in person or online in computer science! 

Education

Take a computer science class.

Find side projects that you can work on to help develop your skills and gain experience. These kinds of projects are valuable on your resume even if they aren't actual paid work. The experience you display does not have to check a box for paid work or some pre-set timeline. Any extra classes or academies you can participate in or side projects that you can work on are all great opportunities to both build your skills and make you a desirable candidate for jobs.

Computer Scientist

I'm not good enough to gain the opportunities I want.

My name is Valerie Mazars de Mazarin and I'm a Computer Scientist Field Operations at the FBI here at Washington Field Office. We're basically computer scientists who are embedded in squads that help agents and analysts do the day-to-day computer science work that gets the job done. I think if you talk to any computer scientists in the bureau, they'll give you a slightly different answer of what they do day-to-day, which is what can make it really interesting. It feels very much like a jack of all trades role. If I had to summarize what I do with most of my time, it would be a split between the more data science aspect of computer science and the incident response malware analysis part. From a pretty young age, what I was interested in was problem solving and puzzles. Anything that used logical analysis, and sometimes when there was a little information, finding like a smart way to cut through it and figure things out. I've always loved the discovery of it, even if it means going through a lot of stuff and really having to plan through how you parse it. When you actually get that insight at the end, in the cases it works out, I've always found that really rewarding. And so I sort of had a sense that this was what I wanted to do at a young age. It sounds funny, but even watching movies like Jason Bourne and the others, I was interested in the nerds behind the computers. Like wait, but how did they figure out where he was so fast, is that software real? So in some ways I guess I thought government might be a good fit in that respect. But my internship that I did in college wasn't government, it was enterprise architecture at Honeywell. Which is more of a role of researching what solutions are out there and trying to figure out what'll work for the environment that's there. And you might do some tinkering to set it up, but it's like researching, embedding, and suggesting solutions. And I ended up taking that job. And even though that was private sector, it's a big company. So I got the experience of working in a place that's very meeting oriented. While I didn't really hone my technical skills a ton there, it taught me a lot about functioning in a business environment. And then next I got a little bit more of the government exposure when I worked for Booz Allen. I was a consultant, but also a developer, so I built dashboards. That got me interested in, okay, I want something more hands on. And the bureau specifically I was interested in cuz there are so many of those little problem solving things. They're trying to find out a lot of stuff. 

My Career Path

Just need to make a compelling case for why you can do the work. Having paid work on your resume helps, but I feel like you can still draw together a compelling case. It's so hard to have times to work on side projects, but if there's any project you can hop on and it doesn't need to be from scratch, hey, I need to build a really evolved Tic Tac Toe out of this language, it doesn't always have to look like that. If you're interested in website development, and you have a friend that's working on some project or nonprofit or setting something up, if you just are willing to invest some of the time to learn some of the platforms and just take baby steps, then, definitely put all that stuff on your LinkedIn, on your resume. Because sometimes I think people think it doesn't count just because it wasn't within the box of paid work, job one, job two. But if you do Code Academy or any classes like that, put all that stuff on your profile, and then you'll be able to find someone that will say, hey, that that's enough for me to give you this next work. So it doesn't always have to be conventional. 

Support & Encouragement

Talent

Advice For Young Professionals Trying To Get Into An Industry

In high school, I got pretty good grades and everything. But there's always this top tier of people that are really good at some of the more technical aspects. They get the best math grades, they do competition. I always thought that if they only had to accept the top X percent of people, maybe there'd be other people who just shone more in that aspect. Maybe the people who got the internships were the ones who were going to build those career paths. And if you missed the bus on getting the best internships, that door was closed to you. I always liked what I did, the projects I worked on. But I never felt like I was the absolute fastest at it or the best on paper always. I'd say came down to having a friend who believed in me, that worked in Army Intelligence. And he straight up said, hey, I like to take it upon myself to encourage the next generation of people going into government work. And I just think that you might be a really good fit in it. It looks like the sort of things you're studying. Have you ever considered a career in federal government doing computers? And he introduced me to someone who he had worked with before, who knew that they were posting for computer scientists and that the bureau was having a special hiring initiative. And so through that connection, his encouragement, and making the introduction to someone who didn't pass my resume in, but just someone who was able to show me the ropes. And even though the places I worked before were very different from one another, if you stick with something and you hone other areas of what your overall portfolio and image look like, eventually you can build up in enough areas that people will take notice of you. Just need to make a compelling sort of case for why you can do the work. And that was, for me, the little push that I needed to to get there. 

Doubt

Overcoming Self Doubt About Joining FBI

I felt like I've blended in a lot better here than anywhere else I've worked. I probably blended in the least at the private sector. Because there was a pretty significant age difference, along side the gender and anything else. So, I've had that experience before in my career, where I felt like people maybe spoke to me as if I were one of their kids. Which people can't really help doing, but it's sometimes can be a little disheartening when you're trying to make a good impression. And, tell somebody, hey, you're managing these apps, I drew up these diagrams, can we go through them? And they're just saying, hey, so what's it like adjusting after school? And yeah, sometimes there can be a little disconnect. But, I've always tried really hard just to take myself seriously. And then, I think that in turn sort of forces people to take you seriously. Cause they really pick up on if you feel that you don't belong there. I've noticed with other people, you can sort of sense when someone feels confident and when they don't. So I don't know if like fake it till you make it is really the best phrase. &gt;&gt; [LAUGH] &gt;&gt; Cause you're not faking anything. But, when I've been in situations like that I've just tried really hard to project that sense of belonging in the space. And I think that people do sort of roll with it, when you do it. 

Acceptance

Confidence

Draw On Your Own Confidence To Show That You Belong

My name is Valerie Musondahall and I'm a computer scientist field operations at the FBI here at Washington field office. We're basically computer scientists who are embedded in squads that help agents and analysts do the day-to-day computer science work that gets the job done. I sort of had a sense that this was what I wanted to do at a young age. It sounds funny, but even watching movies like Jason Bourne and the others. I was interested in the nerds behind the computers like wait, but how did they figure out Where he was so fast is that software real? So in some ways, I guess I thought government might be a good fit in that respect, but I wasn't convinced maybe that it would be become a reality for me. I always thought that if they only had to accept, the top X% of people, maybe there'd be other people who just shown more in that aspect. I always liked what I did the projects I worked on, but I never felt like I was the absolute fastest added or the best on paper always. But if you stick with something and you own other areas of what your overall portfolio and image look like, eventually you can build up in enough areas that people will take notice of you. 

Valerie Mazars de Mazarin Highlight

My name is Valerie Musonda [INAUDIBLE] and I'm a computer scientist field operations at the FBI here at Washington field office. We're basically computer scientists who are embedded in squads that help agents and analysts do the day to day computer science work that gets the job done. I think if you talk to any computer scientists in the bureau they'll give you a slightly different answer what they do day to day, which is what can make it really interesting. It feels very much like a jack of all trades role. If I had to summarize what I do with most of my time, it would be a split between the more data science aspects of computer science and the incident response malware analysis part. There are a lot of resources and some people will be heavier on the malware on the data on the programming on the databases and servers set up. That are very collaborative group of people that can take some time out and specialize one week to the next in what the case needs and what the agents need us to specialize in. 

Day In The Life Of A Computer Scientist In The FBI

&gt;&gt; My name is Valerie Musondahall and I'm a computer scientist field operations at the FBI here at Washington field office. We're basically computer scientists who are embedded in squads that help agents and analysts do the day-to-day computer science work that gets the job done. I think if you talk to any computer scientists in the bureau, they'll give you a slightly different answer what they do day-to-day which is what can make it really interesting. It feels very much like a jack of all trades role. If I had to summarize what I do with most of my time, it would be a split between the more data science aspects of computer science and the incident response malware analysis part. From a pretty young age, what I was interested in was problem solving and puzzles. Anything that use logical analysis. And sometimes when there was a little information, finding like a smart way to cut through it and figure things out. I've always loved the discovery of it even if it means going through a lot of stuff and really having to plan through how you post it when you actually get that insight at the end in the cases it works out. I've always found that really rewarding. And so I sort of had a sense that this was what I wanted to do at a young age. It sounds funny. But even watching movies like Jason Bourne and the others, I was interested in the nerds behind the computers. Like wait, but how did they figure out? Where he was so fast. Is that software real? So in some ways, I guess I thought government might be a good fit in that respect. But my internship that I did in college wasn't government. It was Enterprise Architecture at Honeywell, which is more of a role of researching what solutions are out there and trying to figure out what will work for the environment that's there. And you might do some tinkering to set it up, but it's like researching, embedding and suggesting solutions and I ended up taking that job. And even though that was private sector, it's a big company. So I got the experience of working in a place that's very meeting oriented. Well, I didn't really hone my technical skills a ton there. It taught me a lot about functioning in a business environment. And then next, I got a little bit more of the government exposure when I worked for Booz Allen. I was a consultant, but also a developer. So I built dashboards. That got me interested in okay, I want something more hands on. And the bureau specifically I was interested in, cuz there are so many of those little problem solving things. They're trying to find out a lot of stuff, but I wasn't convinced maybe that it would be become a reality for me. &gt;&gt; What made you doubt, but that wasn't gonna be possible for you? &gt;&gt; In high school, I got pretty good grades and everything, but there is always this top tier people that are really good at some of the more technical aspects. They get the best math grades, they do competition. I always thought that if they only had to accept, the top X% of people. Maybe there are be other people who just shown more in that aspect. Maybe the people who got the internships were the ones who were gonna build those career paths. And if you missed the bus on getting the best internships, that door was close to you. I always liked what I did, the projects I worked on. But I never felt like I was the absolute fastest at it or the best on paper always. I'd say it came down to, I think a friend who believed in me that worked in Army Intelligence. And P straight up said, hey, I like to take it upon myself to encourage the next generation of people going into government work and I just think that you might be a really good fit in and it looks like the sort of things you're studying. Have you ever considered a career in federal government doing computers? And he introduced me to someone who he had worked with before, who knew that they were posting for computer scientists and that the bureau was having a special hiring initiative. And so through that connection, his encouragement and making the introduction to someone who didn't pass my resume in, but just someone who was able to show me the ropes. And even though the places I worked before were very different from one another, if you stick with something and you hold other areas of what your overall portfolio and image look like, eventually you can build up in enough areas that people will take notice of you. Just need to make a compelling sort of case for why you can do the work and that was for me the little push that I needed to get there. 

Interview

At Your Fingertips

Computer Science Roadtrip

INSIGHTS FROM THE FILM

Follow along as Megan, Sage, and Devohne—three young adults eager to explore the opportunities available to them in the computer science industry—travel across the country to talk with software engineers, data scientists, professors, product managers, and more. Fueled by the National Science Foundation, “At Your Fingertips” follows these three young people on a journey to carve out their unique space in the world of computer science. Their stories and those of the inspiring people they meet are proof people underrepresented in the computer science field are a key part of driving the industry forward as a whole.

Welcome to the burgeoning, evolving world of computer science.

Follow three young people from backgrounds underrepresented in computer science as they explore how to break into the field. Along the way, they learn how others have found their own unique places in the burgeoning world of computer science. Their journey, powered by the National Science Foundation, is sure to inspire as they discover the many ways to find success and fulfillment in the world of computer science.

Computer science looks different than you think

FUELED BY:

Kathrina Maribao

Olubunmi 'Boomie' Odumade

Devonte Cunningham

Computer science is going to end up touching every single point of what we do. &gt;&gt; Because computer science is in the intersection of so many different fields, it gives us the ability to impact a lot of people. &gt;&gt; What I love about computer science is the problem solving and the creativity. &gt;&gt; We can't have innovation and discovery without a lot of different voices at the table. So it's really important that all of you are there to make a difference, and there's so many ways you can do it in computer science. [MUSIC] &gt;&gt; It's so important for us to progress and to diversify, but I think there's such a lack of diversity in computer science. &gt;&gt; Trying to take those high level classes when you don't see people that are like yourselves makes it a little bit discouraging. &gt;&gt; Even the diversity that we do have, I feel like we're not amplifying them enough. &gt;&gt; It's harder enough coming across to people as a woman, let alone being non-binary. There's a lot of times where I just feel like I don't fit in or I'm not smart enough. I mean, I struggled to get a part time job for so long. I can't even picture getting a full time job. &gt;&gt; It makes me kind of uncertain about whether I do wanna stay in computer science. &gt;&gt; Megan, Devon and I will be going on a four week long road trip. &gt;&gt; Interviewing influential people who have overcome barriers that are typically tied with diversity. &gt;&gt; I'm hoping to hear from a lot of different perspectives and see where it is that I can fit in. &gt;&gt; If you're building software for the entire world, then that should reflect people of many different backgrounds. &gt;&gt; It's not good enough to be just smart, you actually have to believe that you belong in the field. &gt;&gt; I think that kind of opened my eyes and make me think for a moment that I'm also capable. &gt;&gt; We come across so many individuals that are just too smart not to have that creative confidence. &gt;&gt; I'm trying to be more aware of bringing my full self to this industry. &gt;&gt; I feel like this has given me a renewed sense of purpose. I need to keep on taking steps forward, cuz that's the only way that I can actually have an impact. &gt;&gt; The journey is never gonna be predictable. We have to kinda wander a little bit. &gt;&gt; The hardest problems that we face as humanity today, we have to be willing to go try. Because if we are so scared that we don't even try, we'll never find a solution. &gt;&gt; My foot is in the doorway and all I have to do is just continue to pave my way up. &gt;&gt; I feel like this trip has given me a starting place, and that's so much more than I can say before this. &gt;&gt; I hope our society is ready for diversity in computer science because I think we have so much to offer. [MUSIC] 

Valerie Mazars de Mazarin

Computer Scientist

Videos

Valerie Mazars de Mazarin

Milestones

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Technology

Government

Problem Solving

Skills & Qualities Beyond School

Advice for Getting Started

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

Interviewed By

At Your Fingertips

Valerie Mazars de Mazarin

Computer Scientist

Videos

Valerie Mazars de Mazarin

Milestones

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Technology

Government

Problem Solving

Skills & Qualities Beyond School

Advice for Getting Started

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

Interviewed By

At Your Fingertips

Related Leaders

Paul Iglesia

David Venetianer

Steven Henkel

Joshua Donn

Olivia Zanfardino

Travis Howard