Ashley Ljunggren Dream Job 9/6/17

After many years of being indecisive on what I want to do in the future, I finally know

what I want to do. My dream job is to be a special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,

Firearms and Explosives (ATF), specifically in terrorism. The ATF conducts criminal

investigations, regulate the firearms and explosive industries, and help to prevent terrorism and

violent crimes (ATF). The job comes with education, but also physical tests. It is important to be

in good shape if wanting to become a special agent (Pre-Employment Physical Task Test).

For this job, there are different conditions when it comes to education level. In order to

get into the ATF, you have to have a Bachelors degree in any field of study. If you want to get

into a higher spot, you have to also have experience and have your Masters degree.

I think that by having my Masters in something to do with terrorism or criminal justice is

very beneficial and would help me in that position. I would get more experience in the classroom

focusing more specifically on what I want to do. I think my current and even past classes will

help me. Last year I took psychology, and one of the most important things is being able to

understand what was going on in someones mind when they decided to do what they did

(Smith).

The typical starting salary for an ATF agent is $33,829 a year. If you have background

experience in law enforcement or in the field, then pay may start around $42,948 a year (How To

Become an ATF Agent). Benefits include paid time off, retirement plans, paid holidays, and

insurance.

With this money, I will probably get an apartment with 1 or 2 other people depending on

how much it is until I really save up to make bigger plans or if need be, Ill live at home until I

have more. I already have some money saved up for student loans and then I will put a couple

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Ashley Ljunggren Dream Job 9/6/17

thousand dollars aside each year to help pay off loans as well. Hopefully I can still have the same

car I am using now, so car payments wont be too bad.

1) How much would I spend throwing a birthday bash?

a) $1,000

2) How much would I spend on a monthly car payment?

a) $300

Bibliography
ATF. Careers. n.d. <http://www.atf.gov/careers>.

How To Become an ATF Agent. 2017. <http://www.criminaljusticeusa.com/atf-agent/>.

Pre-Employment Physical Task Test. n.d. <https://www.atf.gov/careers/pre-employment-physical-task-

test>.

Smith, Brent. Damphousse, Kelly. American Terrorism Study. 27 March 2002.

<http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nik/grants/193420.pdf>.