Q&A with MBA alumna and FBI Special Agent Natalie Hedberg GS’21

Natalie Hedberg, Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is currently working with the Health Care Fraud division in Miami, FL. She also serves with the Minnesota Air National Guard as a religious affairs airman. Prior to joining the FBI, Natalie worked as a nurse with M Health Fairview in their vascular, vein, wound, and podiatry departments.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what led up to you pursuing your MBA at Bethel?

When I applied for and was accepted to the MBA program at Bethel, I was working full-time as a licensed practical nurse with M Health Fairview. I was also serving, and currently still serve with the Minnesota Air National Guard (MNANG). While I loved my job and the people I worked with, I always strive to improve myself spiritually, physically, and academically. I considered continuing my education in nursing and pursuing my RN, BSN, and then MSN, but based on my strengths I determined that developing more as a leader and eventually working in a supervisory role as opposed to hands-on nursing was more my speed.

I was lucky enough to find a program offering a full-fledged MBA with a focus in healthcare administration. I was hopeful that this program would provide me the building blocks needed to continue growing as a leader, and to seek professional opportunities that would allow me to utilize these refined skills in a way that would facilitate relationships between executive management, staff, and most importantly the patients for which we provide care.

Concurrently, I was evaluating the possibility of another dream—FBI Special Agent. After returning home from a deployment with the MNANG, I took some time to assess my overall career goals. I had always considered law enforcement. I had tried out for the Minnesota State Troopers in 2018 and turned down the position—but I thought an opportunity as a Special Agent with the most prestigious law enforcement agency in the world was out of reach. I reviewed the requirements and learned that I was eligible to apply. The application process was rigorous—it included several interviews, assessments, background checks, fitness tests, and a polygraph. I relied heavily on my faith in God throughout the process. I remember praying several times that if this was the position for me, and ultimately His plan for my life, to help me every step of the way. In March of 2022, I received my final offer and was off to Quantico to begin training as a Special Agent with the FBI.

To the extent that you can describe your current job and work, how has the MBA contributed to your professional preparation and success?

One of the attributes the FBI looks for in new recruits is the ability to utilize critical thinking skills in high-stress situations. The MBA program at Bethel is designed for working adults, and develops real-world skills taught by professors with extensive experience in their respective fields. One of my favorite aspects of the MBA Program at Bethel was the Integrative Team Capstone. The Capstone is at the end of the program. It required our small team to effectively communicate with a real business and provide a solution to improve an identified problem. It’s essentially the same model we utilize in the FBI—a small squad of individuals with different strengths working together to solve a problem. This effective method can be utilized in most business models, including law enforcement.

Another aspect of the MBA program at Bethel that I found incredibly important was having a relationship with a career counselor, who essentially filled the role as a mentor. Not only was this helpful in the degree process itself, but it also helped me evaluate my decision to continue with the application process as Special Agent. I was lucky enough to have Dr. Jeanine Parolini as my career counselor, and her guidance and feedback throughout the program undoubtedly increased my knowledge in leadership and business. Her calming demeanor helped me to stay focused and grounded during the tumultuous time of working full time as a nurse during COVID while continuing toward earning my MBA. This has inspired me to mentor a professional staff member at my current FBI office, who has hopes of becoming a Special Agent.

How do you think your MBA is going to impact you and your professional pursuits in the future?

As a new Special Agent with the FBI, I am focused on developing my skills as an investigator and enjoying that process. There are countless opportunities within the FBI that I haven’t even started to consider—from leadership positions at my current office, overseas positions at U.S. Embassies, behavioral analysis, evidence response, operational medicine, as well as with other agencies. That being said, my experience earning an MBA at Bethel University provided me with the crucial framework to advance in my career and continue developing as a leader. The majority of my MBA program was virtual due to COVID, which was unfortunate from a networking perspective, but allowed me the unprecedented opportunity to adjust my expectations and forge ahead. Learning to accept circumstances that I may or may not be able to control while having the ability to lead and make difficult decisions will be paramount in any of my professional pursuits with the FBI.

Take the next step in your career.

Bethel's MBA program is designed for professionals who work, have a family, and have community commitments. It can be completed 100% online, in person, or a mix of online and face to face—so you can take the next step in your career in a format that fits your life. 

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