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| Adrienne Barr |
Adrienne Barr, a Park University senior majoring in English and psychology, participated in the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Honors Internship Program this past summer.
Barr worked as an intern in the Behavioral Science Unit at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, Va. While at the Academy, she assisted with research and editing for special agents working on publications and course curriculum. In addition, Barr said she was fortunate to have the opportunity to assist with and attend an FBI conference regarding the necessary balance of mental and physical health for law enforcement officers.
While Barr loved being able to intern at the FBI, she wasn't planning on moving to Virginia. But midway through the internship, an opportunity of a lifetime presented itself to Barr, who, at the time, was attending classes on the Parkville Campus. She was offered a job with the Academy as a program analyst in the International Training and Assistance Unit.
"The internship was a wonderful program and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest," Barr said. "Initially, it was strange to arrive for work at the FBI Training Academy. Now I am settled, but it is still outrageous that I work for the FBI while I am completing my last semester of school (Online)."
Diana Boyd McElroy, Ph.D., dean of student life, said she wasn't surprised about the job offer Barr received. "Adrienne was a very involved student, serving as an officer of the English Club and the Psychology Club last year. She initiated several strong programs while a student (service, educational and social) and worked to collaborate among different groups,"
According to Traci Klasing, Career Development Center assistant director, the internship program is highly competitive. "There were six students selected from Kansas City to attend this year. Usually, only two are selected to participate, but due to the number of exceptional candidates, they allowed for more," she said. Barr was selected from more than 200 applicants.
The next FBI Honors Internship Program begins June 8, 2009, and lasts for 10 weeks. For more information about the FBI Honors Internship Program, including required qualifications to apply, visit www.fbijobs.gov.
In addition, the Career Development Center has profiled Barr in its September/October 2008 newsletter. It can be viewed at www.park.edu/career/newsletters/septoct2008newsletter.pdf. The newsletter includes an interview with Joel Sealer, the FBI field agent who recommended Barr, as well as Brian Cowley, Ph.D., chair of Park's Department of Psychology and Sociology, who was involved in Barr's FBI background check.
