Potential For Obtaining Intelligence Jobs is Enhanced by Focus in Intelligence Studies

daily reports indicate massive private sector layoffs inNavy, Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) .
the United States, government employment appearsState and local agencies also employ intelligence
to be relatively safe. A recent Bureau of Laboranalysts. Among other initiatives, the Department of
Statistics report indicated that government jobHomeland Security (DHS) has worked with state and
growth will come primarily from increased homelandlocal governments and law enforcement agencies to
security needs ("Career Guide to Industries 2008:create Intelligence Fusion Centers located around the
Federal Government;" Bureau of Labor Statistics,country, which help local and state officials respond
December 2008). A study conducted by theto threats in their particular jurisdictions.
Partnership for Public Service discovered that theThe private sector also has many intelligence career
majority of federal government new hires will comeopportunities, including employment in major
from five specific areas, including security,corporations, think-tanks, and non-governmental
enforcement, and compliance, among others. Theseorganizations (NGOs). NGOs employ researchers with
statistics suggest that strategic security careersspecific area and tradecraft expertise in intelligence.
within the federal government will continue to be inMany NGOs, such as Human Rights Watch and
demand. Specifically, the demand for intelligence jobsInternational Crisis Group, have watch centers around
will continue to increase. If you are interested in suchthe world in which intelligence analysts monitor and
a career, one way to boost your employmentanalyze current events.
potential and provide you with a competitive edge isFinally, large corporations often maintain intelligence
by obtaining an education with a focus in intelligenceunits that employ former military intelligence officers
studies, or other areas of strategic security.or civilian intelligence analysts. Recent corporate
Overview of Intelligence Jobsintelligence job openings from Fortune 500 companies
Government agencies have literally thousands ofand government prime contractors that provide
intelligence jobs available for qualified individuals. Aintelligence services to the government include: BAE
career in intelligence requires employees to analyzeSystems, Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI
and effectively report on political, economic and socialInternational, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman,
trends in countries around the world in support ofScience Applications International Corporation, and
policymakers. Major U.S. intelligence agencies, such asSRA International.
the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the DefenseBenefits of Educational focus in Intelligence Studies
Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the National SecurityBy obtaining an education with a strategic security
Agency (NSA) seek to hire individuals with a widefocus, such as intelligence studies, students and
variety of skills and expertise. In addition to theseprofessionals alike can set themselves apart from the
standard intelligence agencies, other governmentcompetition for intelligence jobs. An educational focus
agencies also employ intelligence analysts. Thesein intelligence studies enables students and
agencies include the following: Air Force Intelligence,professionals to learn how to think strategically and
Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency (AIA/ISRproblem solve effectively. In addition to learning
Agency); Army Intelligence and Security Commandabout the history of intelligence, students often learn
(INSCOM); Coast Guard Intelligence (CGI);many of the skills mentioned, which are necessary to
Department of Energy, Office of Intelligence (DOEsucceed in this field. Agencies looking to hire
IN); Department of Homeland Security, Office ofintelligence analysts look for individuals with these
Intelligence and Analysis (DHS/OIA); Department ofskills. Advanced education in intelligence studies is
State, Bureau of Intelligence and Research (DOSespecially relevant for those professionals interested
INR); Department of the Treasury, Office ofin a career change into the intelligence field. By
Intelligence and Analysis (DOT/OIA); Drugfurthering your education through studying relevant
Enforcement Administration (DEA); Federal Bureau offields within the strategic security sector, you will be
Investigation (FBI);Marine Corps Intelligence Activityone step closer to gaining employment in this growing
(MCIA); National Geospatial-Intelligence Agencyfield.
(NGA);National Reconnaissance Office (NRO); and the