UAlbany Partners with FBI to Host 'Train Like an Agent' Event
ALBANY, N.Y. (May 6, 2025) – The University at Albany’s Office of Career and Professional Development partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) again this year to host the “Train Like an Agent” event.
This second annual event, held at UAlbany’s Track and Field Complex, challenged 34 participating students to see if they have what it takes to become a special agent.
To ensure special agents possess the necessary levels of fitness to fulfill any duty required of them, the FBI requires applicants to pass a physical fitness test that included sit-ups and push-ups, a 300-meter sprint and 1.5-mile run.
The test begins with one minute of continuous sit-ups to see how many you can complete in that time frame, followed by a timed 300-meter sprint. Then, come the push-ups. There is no time limit, but participants are challenged to see how many continuous push-ups they can perform. Last is the timed 1.5-mile run.
Student participants went through all four exercises, with personnel from the FBI field office on site.
“This is a great opportunity for college students to come out and have some fun, as well as meet with FBI agents to learn more about careers available through the agency,” said Craig Tremaroli, special agent in charge of the FBI Albany Field Office. “Students show up, give it their best effort and get some takeaways, finding out how they can train differently to make sure they crush the test next time.”
“Here at UAlbany, we have a number of students who want to pursue careers in law enforcement, like the FBI,” added Michael Baumgardner, assistant dean for public engagement and enrollment at UAlbany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC). “This test gives the students a taste of what it would look like from a physical standpoint, to see if they feel that they are ready for this type of career now, or to pursue it in the future.”
Mackenzie Babcock, a sophomore majoring in emergency preparedness, homeland security and cybersecurity (EHC), was among the students participating in the event. Mackenzie was the top overall performer in the female category.
“This test became very mentally hard late during the 1.5-mile run. But I was so close to finishing, so I knew I just needed to push through it,” Babcock said. “It gave me a good view of where I stand right now and what I have to do to improve for the future.”
Babcock also shared that opportunities at UAlbany, like this one, have allowed her to advance her career goals.
“I do as many career learning opportunities as I can,” Babcock said. “It is very important to go out and try these events, where you can meet professionals and see what it is like in the real world.”
“I completely underestimated the difficulty of this event, but now I know what I need to do for the real test,” added Sean McKenna, a junior double major in EHC and criminal justice. “One day, I would love to work for the federal government, as would many of the students who are here today. Events like this give us a great way to get after it.”
Giuliana Bruno, a reporter at WTEN, came to the event to not only report on it, but also participate with the students.
“Today was so much fun,” Bruno said. “These students were very energetic and had great attitudes. They stayed positive throughout the whole experience and were cheering each other on.”
Along with hosting recruiting events on campus, the FBI also partners with UAlbany on its Collegiate Academy program, offered annually to students in the Educational Opportunities Program and CEHC.
During four weeks of programming, the students participate in a series of experiential learning programs that touch on areas including human trafficking, gang violence, cybersecurity topics and domestic and international terrorism. The experience included a visit to the field office in Albany, located just a few miles down the road from the Uptown Campus.
There are currently more than 100 UAlbany alums in the ranks of the FBI nationwide.