Career Opportunities at CIA: The Best Investigating Agency in the World!

The most well-narrated and deep spy novels we read do not even touch the tip of the iceberg of what goes on behind the scenes in military and intelligence agencies of the country to keep it safe from the clutches of internal and external terrorist organizations and hidden foreign policies of their friends and foes. CIA or the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States has time and again proved that it is simply the most effective spy agency in the world. The assassination of Osama Bin Laden - the Biggest Bad Boy for US for about a decade - who lay hidden in his lair for over six years, just 80 km from Pakistani military headquarters - is one of the most recent feathers in its cap.

Mission Statement of the CIA

The mission statement of the CIA is a simple one that sums up all its operations in one single line:

‘The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an independent US Government agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to senior US policymakers.'

However, the scores of career opportunities it offers gives you a better look at the efficient system CIA has developed to keep America safe and fulfill its promise of providing effective and efficient services necessary to ensure that the US President remains the World's Most Powerful Person.

Career Opportunities at CIA

An intelligence agency requires best brains in a multitude of fields to keep a tab on all criminal and dangerous activities. It includes IT professionals to experts in foreign languages to people with exceptional analytical skills. Some of the broad categories in which CIA hires professionals are:

• Analysts
• Business, IT & Security Professionals
• Clandestine Services
• Language Professionals
• Scientists, Engineers & Technology Experts

Student Opportunities at CIA: Nabbing Them Young

CIA attracts brightest of the students even before they graduate. They have undergraduate student internships, undergraduate co-ops, as well as graduate studies programs where students get work assignments that not only gives them good income (comparable to those offered by the private sector) and practical experience but also a chance to with some of the best skilled professionals who are instrumental in providing full support to foreign policymakers of the US.

The applications for student programs are invited every Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall. The popularity of these programs can be judged by the fact that students have to apply at least nine to twelve months before they want to start working at CIA and they are expected to meet same employment standards as permanent employees. Besides being a US citizen, you need to have an academic record of GPA 3.0 or more (or equivalent of approximately 80% at 10+2 level), outstanding interpersonal skills, clear and accurate writing skills, and of course, a strong interest in foreign affairs.

Students also have to undergo a background check that includes a polygraph test as well as a complete medical examination. Preference is given to students who know foreign languages, have military experience and have lived abroad at least for some time. But the students who qualify for the CIA positions are offered the same benefits as permanent employees. Those who make it to the agency-sponsored programs might also be awarded a one-time tuition assistance award for their last year of study, in cases where students maintain a minimum GPA and their performance during the co-op or internship period is good enough to be extended a job offer after their graduation.

Immense efforts are being put into CIA to make it what it is today. Do you have ideas how we can empower intelligence agencies in our country? Let's come together to plug holes in our intelligence systems and be instrumental in ensuring India's safety and security.

According to the latest information we have received, our very own Intelligence Bureau that operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs is looking to hire 750 graduates for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade II/ Executive. The last day to apply for the post is 29th May, 2011. Candidates should not be more than 27 years of age and should have knowledge of computers. For more information, visit the  official website of Ministry of Home Affairs.

Source: Ruchi Shrimali (Shiksha Team)

Date: 5th May, 2011

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