Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internship: Requirements and Opportunities

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Internship Program offers a valuable learning experience for college and university students interested in criminal justice, forensic science, or related careers. This article will provide a detailed overview of the program, including its purpose, eligibility requirements, application process, guidelines, and the experiences of past interns.

Purpose of the GBI Internship Program

The primary purpose of the GBI Internship Program is to provide currently enrolled college and university junior, senior, or graduate students with a valuable learning experience. It is designed for those interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice, forensic science, or a related field. The program is administered by the GBI Human Resources Office and aims to expose interns to the various operations of the division or work unit to which they are assigned.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the GBI Internship Program, applicants must meet specific criteria:

Student Status: Applicants must be full-time students currently classified as a junior or above.
Area of Study: They should be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited college or university in criminal justice, forensic science, or a related career field.
Application Documents: Intern applicants must submit an Internship Application and Internship Questionnaire to the GBI Office of Human Resources before the semester in which the internship is to be served. Failure to complete, sign, and submit these documents will delay the internship process.
Minimum Commitment: Intern applicants must be willing to serve for a minimum of 30 hours a week for 8 weeks. This commitment is necessary to receive the most benefit from the program. Students may work longer hours and weeks as directed by their college/university internship coordinator(s) and GBI work unit supervisor(s) to ensure their college/university requirements are met.
Background Check: Applicants must successfully complete a GBI polygraph examination and a limited background investigation to be accepted into the program.
Age and Citizenship: The applicant must be a United States citizen and at least 18 years of age.
Academic Standing: The applicant must be in good academic standing and currently enrolled during their interning semester, receiving academic credits.

Application Process and Deadlines

The application process for the GBI Internship Program involves several steps. Interested students must first ensure they meet the eligibility requirements. Then, they need to complete the Internship Application and Internship Questionnaire and submit them to the GBI Office of Human Resources before the relevant deadline.

The application submission deadlines are as follows:

Spring Semester (January - April): Application opens August 1st, deadline September 15th
Summer Semester (May - July): Application opens January 1st, deadline February 15th
Fall Semester (August - December): Application opens April 1st, deadline May 15th

The Office of Human Resources will review applications to determine if the applicant meets the internship program qualifications. The supervisor of the desired work unit will coordinate interviews with intern applicants and will approve or disapprove the acceptance of the intern applicant.

The GBI will attempt to accommodate all intern applicants, but there are no guarantees that everyone who applies will be approved for an internship. The GBI also reserves the right to close the job announcement once a qualified applicant pool has been identified.

Internship Placement

Upon consultation with appropriate supervisor(s), the Office of Human Resources will place the intern in a GBI work unit. Consideration will be given to the needs of the appropriate division and the geographic availability of the intern.

Applicants majoring in a criminal justice or related field may intern at any of 15 Regional offices, select task force offices, or specialized units at GBI Headquarters. Those majoring in science or related majors may intern with the Department of Forensic Sciences. Information Technology (IT) and related majors may intern with the Georgia Crime Information Center located at Headquarters.

Guidelines and Restrictions

Interns participating in the GBI Internship Program must adhere to certain guidelines and restrictions:

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Sworn Officer Status: Interns are not commissioned with sworn officer status.
Dress and Conduct Code: Interns must conform to the dress and conduct code of the GBI.
Supervision and Training: Interns are responsible directly to the supervisory personnel of the work unit in which the internship is served. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that interns receive appropriate training dependent upon their work assignments.
Exposure to Operations: Interns will be exposed, as much as possible, to the various operations of the division or work unit to which they are assigned.
Safety: Interns will not be placed in life-threatening situations.
Vehicle Operation: Under the supervision of GBI staff, interns will be permitted to operate GBI vehicles in a non-emergency status, provided the intern has a valid driver’s license and a good driving history.
Attire: Interns will not wear any clothing that would represent them as a sworn GBI agent or other GBI employee. Interns may wear issued clothing that clearly designates them as a GBI intern.
Documentation: Investigative Division interns present during investigative acts will be documented in investigative summaries as outlined in the GBI Case Reporting Manual.

Summary Report

At the conclusion of an internship, the intern will complete a written evaluation of the field experience. This report should emphasize the strong and weak points of the program and any recommendations for change.

Experiences of Past Interns

Several past interns have shared their positive experiences in the GBI Internship Program:

Grace: She was surprised by the level of involvement she had in real cases and investigative work, contrary to her initial expectations of performing only menial tasks.
Joshua: He found that his internship in white-collar crime directly applied to his business studies, allowing him to use what he learned at school and apply it at the GBI.
Laura: She worked with the Computer Analysis Response Team (CART) and was involved in various types of investigations, including gang investigations, violent crimes against children, and counter-terrorism.
Ashley: Despite having a father who is an FBI agent, she was surprised by the strong sense of family within the Bureau.
Myisha: She learned a great deal about the inner workings of the FBI and found the people to be much nicer than she initially perceived.

These experiences highlight the valuable opportunities and positive environment that the GBI Internship Program offers.

Impact on Future Career Paths

The GBI Internship Program has had a significant impact on the future career paths of many interns:

Joshua: His experience opened his mind to career options within the Bureau that align with his biology degree, changing his perspective from being dead set on pre-med.
Laura: She emphasized that the FBI has a place for anyone interested, regardless of their major, which she learned as a STEM major not related to criminal justice.
Grace: The FBI has become her "summer home," and she looks forward to returning each summer, highlighting the positive and engaging work environment.

Additional Internship Opportunities in Georgia

Besides the GBI, Georgia offers various internship programs across different state departments and agencies. These programs provide valuable experiences for students and recent graduates in diverse fields. Here's a brief overview of some of these opportunities:

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Council for the Arts: Internships are available for undergraduate students.
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council: Open to juniors and seniors for a semester-long, unpaid internship.
Department of Administrative Services: Open to all majors for a semester, primarily for juniors and seniors in Georgia state colleges.
Department of Education: Requires a minimum GPA and may give preference to Georgia residents or students attending Georgia institutions.
Department of Economic Development: Open to undergraduates for 3-8 months, with preference given to Georgia residents or students attending Georgia institutions.
Department of Natural Resources: Internships vary by division, and interested persons should contact the Internship Coordinator for their area of interest.
Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles: Open to juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA, requiring U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.
Georgia Port Authority: Offers paid summer internships for undergraduates across various majors.
Georgia Public Broadcasting: Provides unpaid internships for high school and college students for a full semester commitment.
General Assembly (Legislative Internship Program): Open to all majors during the legislative session, primarily for juniors and seniors in Georgia state colleges.
Georgia Emergency Management Agency: Offers year-round paid internships for sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a high GPA.
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority: Provides paid internships for students attending Georgia colleges, universities, or law schools.
Georgia Forestry Commission: Offers year-round internships with varying requirements.
Georgia Games Commission: Provides paid internships with potential housing and meal reimbursements.
Georgia Technology Authority: Offers paid internships in various fields for students enrolled in Georgia state colleges.
Governor's Office (Governor's Internship Program): Provides paid internships for juniors and seniors who are Georgia residents or students at a Georgia college, university, or law school.
Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget: Offers paid internships for students majoring in public administration/policy or related fields.
Georgia Department of Corrections: Provides unpaid internships for students enrolled in a Georgia university or college.
Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning: Offers paid internships for students enrolled in a Georgia university or college.
State Accounting Office: Provides paid internships for accounting majors who are juniors or seniors in a Georgia state college.
Department of Juvenile Justice: Open to all majors for students 18 years or older, who are juniors or seniors.

Drug-Free Workplace

The GBI follows the Federal statute regarding illegal drug use and is a drug-free workplace. This policy is strictly enforced to ensure a safe and professional environment for all interns and employees.

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