How Tracy Walder Went From Sorority Sister to CIA Officer & FBI Agent, Part 2

Tracy Walder joined the Start With a Win podcast last week to recount electrifying stories of her time as a CIA officer and FBI agent.

This week she’s back for a second podcast episode, alongside RE/MAX Holdings CEO Adam Contos, to share how she now helps others find their true passions in the criminal justice industry.

Now as a college professor and educator, first she debunks the glamorization of crime-fighting – including things like shootouts and helicopter chases.

According to Walder, the media’s interpretation of criminal justice workers is misleading youth who are pursuing an action-packed career. In reality, she says, everyone must put in their time in a cubicle to get to where they want to be.

“Growing up, [the] best thing that I had was no pop culture at all about the CIA and the FBI. It didn’t exist,” Walder explains. “I [now] have students who want to run around in Cessnas and think that the FBI hunts serial killers.”

Having realistic expectations for anything in life, especially for a career with the CIA or FBI, saves both time and disappointment.

In the wake of her intense career, Walder is working to change the gender narrative in order to open up the possibilities of what a criminal justice agent looks like. By partnering with Girl Security, an organization that pairs young women with mentors to engage within the criminal justice field, Walder is helping create a stronger female presence in the traditionally male-dominated industry.

Tune in to this week’s episode of the Start With a Win podcast to hear more from Walder on her educational ventures to help young women find their true career paths.

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