| There are more than "spy games" going on in | | | | and will have to determine what information |
| the Central Intelligence Agency. A career in | | | | is reliable. It is the job of the analyst to |
| the CIA could have you doing any number of | | | | perform meaningful assessments of this |
| activities, and not everything will be about | | | | intelligence to pass along to government |
| espionage and covert actions. The mission | | | | officials. Trained Intelligence Analysts |
| of the CIA is to provide foreign intelligence | | | | must possess advanced critical thinking and |
| for national security to the President and | | | | analytical problem solving skills along with |
| senior US policymakers. To achieve this, the | | | | a keen knowledge of their subject matter. |
| CIA has specialists in numerous fields, | | | | Some of the analyst positions for the CIA are |
| ranging from clandestine operations to | | | | in counterterrorism, counterintelligence and |
| mechanical engineering. The CIA has employees | | | | intelligence collection. A background in any |
| from all fields of study and backgrounds to | | | | one these subject matters would be invaluable |
| collect and provide intelligence that | | | | to a career in the CIA. Clandestine Service: |
| consumers need. The CIA offers career | | | | The CIA's clandestine service provides the |
| options into five major categories, each of | | | | intelligence needed by U.S. policymakers to |
| which has many different possibilities and | | | | protect national security interests. One |
| application requirements (most require at | | | | must complete a 12-month Clandestine Service |
| least a bachelor's degree in a national | | | | Training (CST) Program to begin their career |
| security related field and, quite often, a | | | | as a field-based Core Collector for the CIA. |
| master's degree or higher is preferred). | | | | Core Collector's will partake in all aspects |
| | | | of clandestine operations while performing |
| The career options are as follows: analytical | | | | their overseas assignments. Knowledge in |
| positions, clandestine service, language | | | | intelligence collection, intelligence |
| positions, scientist, engineer and technology | | | | operations and counterintelligence will |
| positions and support services. | | | | provide the background needed to be |
| | | | successful in the CIA's clandestine service. |
| No matter what career path is chosen, an | | | | Just about every employment opportunity at |
| extensive knowledge of the world of | | | | the CIA requires a bachelor's or master's |
| intelligence, high academic standing, and a | | | | degree. In order to prepare for what it takes |
| relevant background in strategic security | | | | to be involved with the CIA, knowledge within |
| issues will likely help you be better | | | | the intelligence community will benefit |
| prepared when applying to the CIA. This | | | | anyone interested in pursuing a career with |
| article will provide a quick look into two of | | | | the CIA. While much of the work that the CIA |
| these career paths, and what will be | | | | and other intelligence agencies do is |
| beneficial for you to know for a successful | | | | conducted behind closed doors, there are many |
| career in the CIA. Analytical Positions: | | | | aspects of the CIA that you can learn about |
| Once intelligence is collected someone has to | | | | through open sources to help you understand |
| analyze and put into context the importance | | | | how our nation collects, analyzes, and uses |
| of that intelligence. An analyst for the CIA | | | | intelligence to protect and preserve its |
| will evaluate information from many sources | | | | interests. |