I have a story to share with you all. Did I ever tell you about how I almost worked for the FBI?
Two years ago, when I was close to finishing school, I went to a job fair and handed a few dozen resumes out. One of the organizations that was there was the FBI. That’s right the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “How neat!” I thought.
As you can imagine, that booth was one of the most highly trafficked at the job fair. I submitted my resume, as did thousands of other students from my school and schools across the country.
Not expecting to hear back, I was shocked when I received a call requesting that I schedule a phone interview with one of the hiring managers. The phone interview went well, and three weeks later, I was on my way to Washington DC for an interview at FBI Headquarters.
I arrived late in the evening for an interview the following day. Never having been to DC, I woke up at the crack of dawn and visited all the major monuments. I took a picture in front of the White House, walked past the Washington Monument, toured the Library of Congress, and peaked inside the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History … all before lunchtime.
By the time I arrived at the J Edgar Hoover building, which houses FBI headquarters, for my interview, I was exhausted but incredibly excited.
You can probably guess that security was tight. Imagine airport security times 10. Myself and a few other interviewees received a tour of an exhibit that features memorabilia from some of the most notorious crimes committed against the United States. My tour guide, a rookie employee, explained the process of becoming a special agent. Although it required extensive training, it was an attainable goal.
The actual interview went very well, but again, I was not expecting much. Surely there were plenty of people more qualified than me. Well, you can imagine my surprise when I received a job offer several weeks later. The letter included information about the exhaustive background checks and in-person meetings that were required prior to becoming an official employee.
This was not a job offer that I could just pass up on a whim. At that point, Mr. Handsome and I were not engaged, but we had been in a relationship for 20 months. After hours of prayer and thought, I decided to decline the offer.
Between the day of my second interview and the day I received my job offer, I had received an offer to work in the communications department of a ministry. I ended up accepting that position, and within a few weeks of working there, I knew I had made the right choice. Mr. Handsome proposed four months later.
Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I had accepted the job with the FBI and moved to Washington DC. Where would I be 10 years from now if I had chosen to focus on my career and climb the corporate ladder to eventually become a special agent? I guess I’ll never know, but one thing I do know is that God has me right where he wants me, and that’s enough.
Anonymous
An FBI job sounds like fun. Right up my alley. I had an uncle in the CIA. He had a phone at his desk with no number on it. That's right, he wasn't allowed to know his office phone number. He could take calls and make calls but he was never told his own phone number. And that's just the tip of that iceberg. Good times! LOL
nashvillewife@gmail.com
That's so interesting! It would be crazy to have a job like that, definitely a different experience than most folks have with their careers.
Ellie
Anonymous
He didn't go around spying (not that he ever told me), but he got the results of the people who did and got to help decide what was to be done with that info. It was a cool job. His most amazing stories were from the Cuban Missile Crisis.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
How neat! Thanks for sharing. ๐
Ellie
Anna Radchenko
Such a neat experience! I'm so happy you're content being in the will of God, right where He has you! That's always the best place to be ๐
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Amen to that, Anna! ๐
Ellie
Anonymous
That is so interesting! Do you know what your job would have been if you had accept d the offer?
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi there,
It was a desk job analyzing data…not super interesting. LOL
Ellie
Emily
Very neat Ellie! Thank you for sharing! I love your blog! ๐
nashvillewife@gmail.com
My pleasure, Emily! I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoy my blog.
Ellie
Anonymous
Very cool! Do you remember any of the questions they asked you in the interviews? I would love to know.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
The interview with similar to a "normal" job interview. They asked a lot of questions about teamwork.
Ellie
Anonymous
Wow Ellie! Thanks for sharing. If you did take that job you probably would have gotten married to Mr.Handsome.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Glad you enjoyed the post!
Ellie
Anonymous
Why did you decline the job? I would hope it wasn't for your (then) boyfriend.
Anonymous
What if it was? Not everybody has a precise career plan, some just want a job that helps them pay the bills, while they focus on family… We're all different, but even if Ellie made her choice for her future family it doesn't mean she sacrificed her dream life (she did say that she ended up with the job offer by chance, not because she was really after it). I'm sure she made the choice who made her the happiest.
Anonymous
I agree with anonymous 1:33. I went to university. When I was about to start my PhD, I realized I wanted a family more than a career. I decided to get a job, buy a house and start my family. I have no regret. I'm so happy with my man and my daughter.
Also, chances are that Ellie would have seen things or maybe have to do things that are not compatible with her christian values. I think she made the right choice as she seems so happy with her life right now.
LisaG
When I chose to marry my husband, it meant giving up a location I absolutely loved, as well as the job I enjoyed. That has been many years ago, and I am completely happy with my decision. I got back everything I gave up (and more). My husband and I got to live together in some wonderful places – we even got to go back to where we were living when we met. Our marriage also allowed me to embark upon the most wonderful career choice I ever made – homemaker. I would have missed out on so much if I had chosen my job over him.
Anonymous
That's interesting!
Anonymous
Wow! So cool. ๐
Carol
Had missed you-glad you're back. With your being gone, I couldn't help but wonder if you weren't able to get back to the blogging how much you would be missed in keeping up with you, and the Bates and the Duggars. Just to let you know, you are much appreciated!
carol, a 63 year old wife, home-maker, mother, and gramma of 17.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thank you, Carol! That's so sweet. I'm blessed to have you as a reader. What a blessing to have 17 grandkids. Do they live near you?
Ellie
Anonymous
I just KNEW you were a smart cookie, Ellie!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Well thank you! That's very kind of you to say.
Ellie
Anonymous
That is a very interesting story! What was the job offer for? What would you be doing for the FBI? It reminds me of that movie MIB: Men In Black with the special interviews and tests.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thank you! It was for an office job doing data analysis. I'm flattered that my story reminds you of Men In Black. ๐
Ellie
DRR
God works in mysterious ways and His ways are always the best on the long term. God bless and keep up the work. Pastor's wife from PR.