The FBI San Diego Teen
Academy takes place in the summer for 10th
and 11th grade high school students (San Diego & Imperial Counties).
The Teen Academy allows
high school students an opportunity to get a comprehensive look into today’s
FBI during a six-to-eight-hour block of instruction and demonstrations at the
FBI field office in Sorrento Valley. Students will also gain hands-on experience in areas such as
crime scene and forensic techniques as well as tactical operations. Students
will also engage in candid conversations
with FBI staff about online communication and its risks, as well as
lifestyle choices required to be eligible for careers at the FBI.
GPA & Essay: The primary objective is to identify students who are
capable of leadership and have an interest in what the FBI does. It is
advantageous for a student to have a combination of a good GPA, well-written essay, school activities,
and community involvement.
Learn More:
FBI San Diego Community
Outreach Page for Teen Academy
To Apply:
The next San Diego Division Teen Academy will be in the Summer of 2019. This academy is open to high school students
currently in 10th or 11th grade who live in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
San Diego Division will begin accepting applications on March 1, 2019. No cost to attend. https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/sandiego/community-outreach
Evidence Response Team (ERT) hosts a session during the
1-day Teen Academy. Other
presentations may include terrorism, cyber, public corruption, polygraph exams,
evidence response, SWAT, and the day-to-day operations of a typical FBI office.
“The FBI Teen Academy
helps youth better understand how we protect the American people and uphold the
constitution. We also share how the decisions they make today may impact
education and career options in the future," said Special Agent in Charge John A. Brown of the FBI San Diego Field
Office. "Our goal is to provide students with useful information and
valuable experiences they can share with
others upon returning to their home and school."
Point of Contact (POC): Charmin Lindholm, Community Outreach Chair, FBI San
Diego Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBISDCAAA), charmin.lindholm@gmail.com
Disclaimer:
POC read 100+ Teen Academy applicant essays in 2018. The reader doesn’t see
specific information about names, schools, etc. Essays are read by a panel of
people who score each essay individually.
Tips for Writing the Applicant Essay
- Read the directions. Follow the directions. Turn in essay BEFORE
the deadline.
- Double check to make sure you FULLY answer all of the question
prompts. Proofread!
- If you aren’t specifically interested in a FBI career, tell us why
you are so passionate about this learning opportunity. If you haven’t held
leadership positions in clubs/teams, tell us how you are involved in the
community in other ways.
- Really focus on what your “information sharing plans” are for
AFTER you complete the Teen Academy. The more details you provide, the
more credible is sounds (e.g. have a strategic plan).
- This 1-day event is a big investment of the many FBI
personnel who participate. There are limited spots and many qualified
applicants to choose from.
- What are YOU going to
do to share what you learned with your COMMUNITY or SCHOOL (beyond just “talking to my
friends and family”).
- Tip: Do research on the type of work the FBI does in San Diego. The
FBI needs help raising awareness in the community about their safety
initiatives. Focus on areas that are connected to your specific community
need or your specific age group.
- The FBI needs committed Teen Ambassadors who will
contribute to community outreach programs after the academy is over. “Public
support and understanding are essential to the FBI’s success.” By increasing
public awareness about the FBI’s safety programs, we are all helping to
keep our communities safer. How will you help the FBI in their mission?
During Lunch:
Teens are paired up with FBI Agents and personnel to eat together over lunch.
This small group of 2-3 people are able to have more focused conversations and
get their specific questions answered.
*Lunch is generously
sponsored by the FBI San Diego Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBISDCAAA).
After the Teen
Academy: Graduates of the Teen Academy become "Teen Ambassadors" who are invited
to help bring public awareness at information booths through community outreach
projects like the annual National Night Out event in August.
Teen Ambassadors are invited to collaborate
with the alums of the FBI San Diego Citizens Academy to work on Community Outreach
projects together.
The FBI San Diego Citizens Academy Alumni
Association (FBISDCAAA) organized a tour of the Monarch School in November
2018. Teen Ambassadors who expressed interest in helping with the annual
Holiday Project supply-drive were invited to join them. Together with the two
FBI Community Outreach Specialists, they learned more about how the Monarch
School serves kids impacted by homelessness. The Monarch School was selected as
FBI San Diego’s “Adopt-A-School”, part of the Community Outreach Program.
Cyrus Parson is an active Teen Ambassador in the 11th
grade. He is quiet and reserved. Cyrus says "yes" to all the
opportunities that are offered to him by the FBI Community Outreach Specialist.
Cyrus & fellow Teen Ambassador Cristal Silva went on a
tour of the Monarch School to learn more. Both committed teens received a
special invitation to attend the FBI San Diego Citizens Academy Alumni
Association’s quarterly intelligence briefing at the holiday party. The
presentation was given by a veteran FBI agent who shared his behind-the-scenes
story of the work he did on the 2010 Escondido Bomb House case.
In December 2018, Cyrus completed a supply-drive for the
Monarch School. His little sister’s Girl Scout Daisy Troop wanted to help too.
The results were amazing!
