GREETINGS

       Being a lifeguard, a camp counselor and working in an ice cream shop are all typical jobs that college students have over the summer. However, one Lycoming College student found herself working in the Explosives Unit for The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as her summer job.

       Kelly Howerter, a Lycoming College senior from Millersburg, Pa., spent her summer interning at the FBI, in Quantico, Va. She originally heard about this opportunity through Dr. Timothy Carter, professor of criminal justice at Lycoming College.

       She furthered her research online, and applied shortly after through the Philadelphia office. “I went through a series of interviews, a polygraph test, drug test, and extensive background investigation. The process from the very beginning to the very end was approximately 7-8 months long,” says Howerter.

       This internship is extremely competitive. Only 110 interns receive acceptances nationwide. There were over 100 applications through the Philadelphia office alone, which is one of 56 field offices. Kelly mentioned, "According to statistics I received, I was the only intern accepted through Pennsylvania that applied through the Pennsylvania offices (Pittsburgh and Philadelphia)."

       Howerter was thrilled to find out about her acceptance, and knew that it would be a wonderful experience. “I just wanted the experience of working for the federal government in a forensic science/ investigative setting. As a chemistry major and criminal justice minor, I am looking into a career in Forensic Science, and I don’t believe that there is a better place to have that experience first-hand.”

       As with any internship, Howerter had expectations about what working for the FBI was going to be like. “I expected to have a great time, learn from the best examiners and investigators in the field, and understand how the FBI operates.”

       Upon arrival, there was a 3-day orientation for interns and then a one-day debriefing at the end of the program. “One of my favorite memories was the day I received my badge and was standing inside Headquarters thinking, wow, I am really a part of this amazing organization,” Howerter shares.

       The internship began in June, and lasted 10 weeks. Howerter lived in a housing complex with three other FBI interns. They were from Alabama, Maryland and Michigan. Interns came from all over the United States and Puerto Rico. They are not all science or criminal justice majors, like many would think. Some interns are majoring in art, computer science and history. Howerter was placed with 15 other interns in the Explosives Unit, and the other interns were placed in other areas throughout the Headquarters, like the Critical Response Group and the Fingerprint Database.

       In the Explosives Unit, Howerter was under the supervision of Dan Hickey, a Supervisory Special Agent. “Typically no two days are alike. Throughout the 10 weeks, I was given the opportunity to sit in on a training class for Explosive Investigation, see a Forensic Examiner in training, participate in a new agent training video and have tours of the rest of the lab and academy.”

       Besides work, a large part of the internship focused on social interaction between other interns. “We had committees, formed by interns, in charge of creating activities and forming a social aspect of the program. I was able to travel to great places within reasonable distance.” The committees planned trips to baseball games, white-water rafting, Six Flags, and even made intern t-shirts.

       As graduation approaches, Howerter states, “I’m definitely looking forward to reapplying with the Bureau, as well as looking at graduate schools and other forensic agencies for a career. It’s an exciting field!”

       Howerter explains that the whole experience was amazing. “I learned something new everyday. I traveled to new places, met new people, and saw many parts of the Bureau. I also was able to experience a little target practice. I would do it all over again if given the opportunity. This was by far the best summer of my life.”

        This story was originally published in the Williamsport Sun Gazette. It was written by Jen Moran, 2007, a senior corporate communications major.