After the terrorists attacks on 9/11, Angela Guiseppe ’07, decided that she wanted a career working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). A criminal justice major and psychology minor who transferred to Virginia Wesleyan, Guiseppe’s career goal turned into reality this past fall as she completed an internship with the Norfolk FBI Office.
Guiseppe, who worked 25 hours a week, said she didn’t know what to expect of her internship after completing a yearlong interview and background check process that included a polygraph test. What she got, however, was much more than she expected.
“I was given actual cases to work on with special agents and assigned to work with the field and intelligence group,” said Guiseppe. Although she couldn’t get into specific detail for security purposes, she did call her internship “intense” but said, “I really did enjoy it.”
In addition, Guiseppe experienced other areas of the Bureau. She participated in Special Weapons and Tactics Training (SWAT) training exercises where she role-played in different scenarios for the SWAT Team to react to. She also had the opportunity to travel to Quantico, Va., with a couple of special agents where she was given a detailed tour of the FBI Training Academy.
“One of the best parts about my internship is that I was given the opportunity to experience so much,” said Guiseppe. “While I had my specific duties in the field intelligence group, primarily working as an intelligence analyst, I also participated in a number of other things because they wanted me to learn as much as I could in a short amount of time.”
Guiseppe describes herself as a “thrillseeker,” and in her spare time she likes to ride dirt bikes, rock climb and ride rollercoasters. She also enjoys traveling, photography, making jewelry and playing percussion with a group of friends from church.
Guiseppe said her internship has also taught her things about herself.
“It’s taught me not to hold back or be afraid to try new things,” said Guiseppe. She admits that when she started filling out the application she thought there was no way she would qualify.
“But I went for it and tried” she said.