Alum shares leadership lessons from his rise through the FBI

This story is part of an occasional series, Why Liberal Arts, that explores how a liberal arts education helps people grow as thinkers and leaders and opens doors to meaningful careers.

Stephen Laycock ’91 dreamed of joining the FBI since he was in the in eighth grade, when he accompanied his dad to the bureau on career day. With both of his parents working in federal law enforcement, his career goal was clear. He wanted to be an FBI agent.

His path to becoming an agent started his first year at Virginia Tech, when he entered as an undecided major. While Laycock knew what he wanted to become, he wasn't sure what program would lead him there. He decided on a liberal arts path, earning a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English and liberal arts and a minor in economics.

Laycock later graduated from the FBI Academy and began his career as a special agent in San Francisco’s counterintelligence program. His dedication and commitment to his craft earned him several leadership positions, including executive assistant director of the FBI’s Intelligence Branch in 2019.

Recently retired from the FBI, Laycock said the skills he developed in the English program were foundational to his success in the intelligence field.

What are the responsibilities of an FBI special agent?

As a case agent, your job is to manage investigations — called "cases." You prioritize your cases, conduct surveillance or interviews, and piece together evidence or information depending on the type of case. In counterintelligence, you’re collecting intelligence — countering foreign intelligence activities directed against the United States.

Unlike criminal cases, counterintelligence investigations may not end in arrests. Sometimes, you’re just collecting information to assess whether someone poses a threat or what they’re trying to learn. Every day is different, which is one of the best parts of being an agent.

How did the skills you developed in your English studies connect to your work in the FBI?

When I visit Virginia Tech as part of the Department of English Distinguished Alumni Board, students often ask about core skills, and I always mention three: reading, writing, and briefing (talking). Those are central to the humanities and vital in law enforcement.

Writing for the FBI takes a unique capability. When you write statements or reports, there’s no room for opinion. Everything must be factual. Understanding how to write effectively and clearly is essential.

Communication is also critical. Your job involves talking to people, interviewing them, and extracting information. But communication also includes listening. That’s a core skill in investigations because how you interpret and respond matters.

How is communication important in leadership positions?

Communication is everything. As a leader, how you deliver a message determines whether people understand and act on it. Listening is equally important. When I led the FBI’s Intelligence Branch, I had around 6,000 people under that program. It’s impossible to talk to everyone, so you have to empower your leaders, listen at the ground level, and brief all the way back up.

What qualities or experiences helped you reach the executive leadership level?

When I finally became an agent and went into the field, I started building leadership skills without realizing it. As a case agent, you’re already managing priorities, making decisions, and leading your investigations. I wanted to perfect my craft, take on more complex cases, and grow.

I also joined specialty teams, like the Evidence Response Team and Special Weapons and Tactics teams. These roles exposed me to different things and helped me grow those leadership traits. Over time, I moved from agent to supervisor, managing other agents and investigations.

The key theme is opportunity. Each new experience built on the last, and though I made mistakes along the way, I learned from them. Hard work and a willingness to challenge myself were what got me to the level of executive management.

What’s the most memorable moment of your career?

One thing I’m proud of is mentoring. I started at the FBI as a summer intern while at Virginia Tech, so later, when I was in leadership, I made sure to meet with every intern who came through. I’d tell them, "Look, I went from an intern to an executive."

I’ve always enjoyed mentoring and helping others navigate their careers. Whether through panels, guest lectures, or Distinguished Alumni Board visits to the university, I enjoy helping students see how internships and early jobs build skills they don’t yet recognize.

What advice do you have for English students?

First, your career opportunities are wide open. Many English majors think they’ll only go into teaching or publishing, but your opportunities are endless. The skills you’ve learned — reading, writing, critical thinking, communication — are universal and valuable anywhere.

In law enforcement, it’s not about a specific major. The FBI hires people from every background — doctors, accountants, lawyers, military, police, etc. There’s a whole litany of people with different backgrounds that can be effective and successful FBI agents.

Second, be patient. It took a year to get my background (clearance) done, so I took odd jobs here and there. Today’s generation has more technology and opportunities than ever, but the same principle applies — learn your craft and grow into it.

Lastly, reflect on what you learned from each experience, not just what your job description said. If you take the time to learn, evolve, and prove yourself, you can do anything you want to do.

Some answers edited and condensed for clarity.

Written by Katie Grant, a senior majoring in advertising