This fall I will be a college sophomore. I am currently majoring in English. But I really would love to do something with the government whether that be FBI, CIA, special agent, etc. I want a hands on job, not something behind a desk. What should I do? Should I keep my current major or think about changing my major to criminal justice? And what can I do about affording college?

Join the army, work hard to become a Ranger or other special forces, ( or the Marines) go to sniper school and be the best.

OR

Learn foreign languages, esp middle eastern.

For FBI, change majors to accounting, much of the FBI work deals with white collar crime.


*** next forget the TV versions of "spys"

What should I do? Should I keep my current major or think about changing my major to criminal justice? And what can I do about affording college?
Definitely don't switch to Criminal Justice. The truth is that it is a joke of a program in most institutions. It's a recently (latter half of the 20th century) invented major for students who couldn't matriculate into pre-law, hence, it's meant to be easy. Aside from actually seeing the material my CJ friends were given, I've heard police officers tell me this, too. So, I know it's not just me being judgmental.

A major in English is actually useful because the entire curriculum is based on understanding and communicating ideas. Good communication is how you will get any job. I honestly think you picked a good one and you ought to stick with it.

If you were going to switch majors to something that would appeal to the federal government, switch to economics. It's one of the most difficult majors, but it's also well balanced between science (you'd have to take calculus) and art (there is loads of reading involved).

A fellow nurse I work with has a son that wants to be in the CIA. He was advised to join the Navy as the Navy has special security clearances that will be available to him for this position.