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