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It was a tough hurdle to get a foot in the door working for the federal government when Joe Iannaccone ’01 first started out 18 years ago. He didn’t have any connections inside the government who could get him introductions. But with an entry into the Social Security Administration soon after he graduated from Salem State, he was able to rise through the ranks by remaining consistent in his work, adapting well to various situations, and working well with a range of personalities. Today, Joe serves as a special agent with the U.S Department of Homeland Security.

A Turning Point: Engineering vs. Criminal Justice

Joe started out in an engineering program at Wentworth Institute of Technology. He liked the school, but two years in he began questioning whether engineering was the right fit for him.

“I had always been fascinated with law,” Joe explained. “During my first couple years in college, I realized I wanted to be more involved with helping out in the community and didn’t want to have a career where I would be stuck behind a desk all day.” 

He transferred to Salem State soon after and enrolled in the criminal justice program, and “it was the best academic decision I ever made.”

The classes Joe took opened his eyes to the range of possible experiences within the field of criminal justice and peaked his interest in federal law enforcement. Two internships with the juvenile court in Salem and at the Massachusetts State House helped solidify his career direction.

“A desire to serve the community has always been a strong part of my personality,” Joe explained. Once he graduated from Salem State, he took the civil servants’ exam and joined the candidate list for the Salem Police Department.

Taking a Leap of Faith

At the very beginning of his career, Joe hit a cross-roads.

“When I was going through the process to join the Salem Police Department, I got a call from U.S. Customs and Border Protection offering me a job. It was a big decision: I could work right in my hometown or take a leap of faith and get outside my comfort zone.”

Joe was hired by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in 2003 as an inspector  and was assigned to the Boston field office at Logan Airport and the Seaport. “I feel like it was a sound decision,” he said. “I don’t regret anything. I enjoy what I do, and it’s been a rollercoaster ride ever since.”

Over the following years, Joe worked with several federal, state and local law enforcement organizations, but remained most interested in the detective aspects of police work. In 2009, he joined Homeland Security Investigations under the Department of Homeland Security.

“During my first assignment, I travelled to Rwanda and Haiti for human rights violator investigations and genocide cases that our office was interested in investigating. I also worked on a case involving the Red Terror campaign in Ethiopia. “I was able to locate a victim in the Boston area who testified during the trial of a former Ethiopian prison guard residing in the United States that was involved in the genocide in Ethiopia at that time.  This witness helped us win the trial.”

For his work on the Red Terror, which was a violent political repression campaign in Ethiopia and Eritrea from 1976 to 1977, Joe was recognized with an award from the Executive Office of the U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C.

Three years ago, he moved to the cybercrimes group as a special agent, where he has focused on child exploitation cases.

“All these cases mean so much to me because we’re protecting the most vulnerable people in society.”

Keys to Success: Remain Persistent and Develop Your Skills

Joe grew up in the Willows neighborhood of Salem and was a commuter student at Salem State.

Reflecting on what his college experience meant to him and his family, Joe said, “I gave it my all every day in school because I knew how important it was for me to be successful and create a legacy that would make my family proud. I was the first in my immediate family to attend a four-year college. I’m so thankful to my parents and grandparents, who were laborers and emigrated here to the US, for giving me the opportunity to go to college.”

“Education is so important to me,” Joe continued. “My wife and I have two little girls, and we’re constantly emphasizing to them that knowledge is power.”

Joe credits his wife and children for helping him achieve his career success. “They have been instrumental in my career successes. In my line of work, it’s critical to have a strong support structure to cope with the unpredictable challenges that are frequently encountered. They make it possible for me to achieve all I have.”

For today’s students who are looking for career advice, Joe suggests learning skills that could help you stand out from the pack: a language, technology certifications, accounting, great communication and writing skills. These different strengths can help your resume stand out and can especially help if you’re looking for a government job.

“Being persistent was the key for me. Reaching out to people in the community and networking are great ways to work toward your goals.”