March 6, 2023 - Three FBI employees based in St. Louis, two special agents, and one intelligence analyst visited North Tech’s Law Enforcement Program in March.  

“There are a variety of federal agencies on a national level, with the FBI being the most famous,” said Dave Peterson, Law Enforcement instructor. “I thought it would be really exciting and fun for my students to speak with FBI agents face to face and discover all the opportunities available to them. Their job options expand way beyond state and local law enforcement.” 

Students had the opportunity to ask questions, learn how to lift and properly package fingerprints from hard surfaces, and wear an FBI vest. Junior student Marissa Williams plans to study criminal law and appreciated discovering how the FBI would play a part in her work. 

“I thought it was very informative,” said Williams. “I want to be a criminal lawyer, so it was good for me to see how the FBI operates when seeking justice and uncovering crime.”  

One of the FBI agents who visited the class was born and raised in St. Louis and the other two were women. Peterson says that by having that representation, he hopes his students understand even more that they can achieve their career goals no matter their background and know that there are people wanting to help them along the way. 

“The majority of my class is young women, so it was important for them to see female agents,” said Peterson. “One of the visitors had a background in anthropology and they also discussed how some have entered the force with teaching degrees or a military background, so the pathways are endless.”

So far this year, probation and parole officers have visited the class and students have also taken field trips to the St. Louis County Crime Laboratory and the Missouri State Penitentiary. Peterson is working on coordinating a visit from the U.S. Marshall.