What Is a Private Investigator Intern and How to Become One

As a private investigator intern, your job is to participate in training and help collect evidence as you investigate topics for private clients. Many private investigator firms focus on specific areas. For example, you may focus on security matters, fraud, or journalistic research as part of this experience. Private investigator interns often use this role to help get the experience necessary for a license. Your duties may involve gathering evidence for a case, helping process paperwork, or accompanying other investigators on excursions. There are legal limits on what investigators can do to find information, so learning and following those is essential to your success in this internship.

The primary qualifications for getting an internship as a private investigator vary slightly by field of specialization, but most employers require you to complete at least one year of college and fulfill any other requirements set out by your city or state. Flexibility and the ability to work long hours as needed are essential to this job, especially because investigations are not always limited to regular working hours. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a private investigator internship requires communication skills, research skills, creative thinking, and critical thinking skills. Private investigators often work alone for extended periods, so the ability to be self-directed in activities is also helpful for getting this position.