Internship (HSI)
Starting an internship in the upcoming fall with my local office. I’ve gotten a brief description of what it is I may be doing as an intern, but I’m curious as to what day to day life may look like, as well as some tips to keep myself from being the intern that is always in the way and/or unproductive. Noted potential tasks included direct investigative support, office assistance, and potentially getting to be present during some warrants.
I do not believe I am receiving any type of clearance, to my knowledge, the extent of the background process is providing criminal history(if any), and a drug test. I mainly was wondering what direct investigative support entails if my assumption is correct regarding the clearance.
Regardless of what this internship entails, even if it means I’m restocking bathroom supplies the entire semester, my main goal is to walk away with a good social network of this career field. What are some tips you may have for me to make the most of this?
Those that have interns in their office:
- What do you expect from your interns?
- What is something that makes you wish you had more/less interns at your office?
- What is the most useful thing an intern can do for you? (Even if it’s sending an email or copying papers)
Notes:
- This is not the Pathways Program as it isn’t available right now for that office, it’s really more for the education/experience (it is also unpaid). I got this (very) lucky opportunity by simply asking all of the agencies in my area, not by applying. It was noted that pathways may be an opportunity for me in the future if it opens back up.
- I understand it’s likely the role of an intern heavily varies between offices, but I would love to hear personal experience(s) some have had during an internship with Fed LE.
- I’m not walking into this with the expectation of having the role of an 1811 nor to be immediately offered a job after graduation, I understand that at the end of the day, my role is to be an intern, not a criminal investigator.