Katey Olsen knew she wanted to be an FBI agent from the time she was in elementary school. Hearing intriguing stories as a youngster, told by her special agent grandfather, sealed the deal.
Olsen, a member of SJM’s Class of 2008, recently spoke to students at Career Day where she shared her personal insights; now as a newly minted graduate from the FBI Academy, and the path that led her to where she is today.
Her career advice to students is simple. “Follow your passions, trust yourself, and try to find a career that makes you happy,” said Olsen. “There is not one day I regret following this path. Even during the difficult times, I never had a plan B. I always knew I was meant to be a special agent.”
Olsen’s passion for the FBI was fueled by her grandfather. “My grandfather was a special agent and hearing his stories about the Bureau was inspiring. I always knew I wanted to pursue a career as a special agent,” said Olsen. “While at Memorial, I made the decision to pursue a career with the FBI by choosing to obtain my degree in Criminology at Fresno State.”
Olsen graduated from the FBI Academy in May 2019 and is a Special Agent working on Counterterrorism matters in the Sacramento Field Office.
“My career journey started in September 2012 as an Operational Support Technician answering phones in the operations center and working on administrative projects. I was promoted to Staff Operations Specialist in 2014 assisting the Counterintelligence squad with tactical analysis where I served until graduation.”
“There are many aspects about my job I enjoy,” according to Olsen. “The investigative work, although difficult, is so rewarding. I especially enjoy being a part of an organization that strives to protect their communities and make the world safer.”
While still in the early chapters of her career, Olsen says she enjoys learning ways to be a better agent and working vital national security cases. “I also enjoy my days in the field conducting searches and assisting with arrest warrants. Every day and case is different which brings along tough, but exciting challenges.”
When asked if it is hard to get into the FBI, Olsen said, “The application process to enter the FBI was developed to find the best individuals to protect the United States and uphold the Constitution. While the process is straightforward, for some individuals, it is difficult to pass the background investigation; many applicants fail the polygraph.”
To become a special agent, you must have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree, three years full-time work experience, and must be at least 23 years of age. “The process is competitive and involves multiple phases,” explained Olsen. “The FBI offers many different career opportunities even if the agent route is not for you. Many people are surprised to know that the FBI hires everyone from nurses to computer scientists.”
Olsen has many fond memories as a student at Memorial. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at SJM and was blessed to receive a Catholic school education. I truly believe Memorial laid the groundwork for accomplishing my career goals.”
Mrs. Hodges was definitely a mentor of mine at Memorial, Olsen shared. “She was my softball coach and taught me during my Junior and Senior years. I have a lot of respect for her and she always pushed me to do my best; even when I tried to push back.”
“The memories I cherish most from Memorial are the friendships I made and the teams I played with. I played golf, soccer, and softball and I always had a good time with my teammates and coaches,” she said.