get a job at the CIA

Want to Get a Job at the CIA? Here's How.

For those with a deep understanding and respect for the law, the idea of becoming a part of the criminal justice system is enticing. Perhaps your heart is set on joining in with law enforcement at the local or state level, upholding the day-to-day laws and ensuring the safety of your family and neighbors. You can't go wrong in pursuing a profession that considers upholding the laws that keep our country's citizens secure as its number one priority.

If this sounds like you, perhaps you should set your sights on obtaining a position with a national agency, such as the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) of the United States government. Like most jobs, there are effective and not-so-effective ways to pursue a job with the CIA; here are some tips on how to change your 'maybe one day' dream into an attainable goal.

To Work for the CIA, You Have to Meet Some Basic Requirements

As you may realize, there are some basic requirements to be met by anyone interested in obtaining CIA jobs. Here is a checklist to consider as you begin your journey:

  • Have an American citizenship
  • Be a minimum of 18 years of age
  • Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Be deeply interested in the safety and security of our country and its citizens
  • Hold a bachelor's degree in criminal justice

Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Knowing your strengths and identifying your weaknesses (not just in how you work but also in your personality and how you can better improve and mature as a person) can help you decide what direction to focus your efforts. Some strengths that could prove an asset in working in the criminal justice field (and particularly for CIA jobs) can include:

  • Fascination with upholding the laws of our country
  • High attention to detail
  • Clear-headed thinking (also not being overly emotional)
  • Willingness to grow and improve in your abilities
  • High degree of work ethic
  • Strong moral code

Identify Your Area of Interest

Once you have a solid assessment of your own skills and abilities, it is a good idea to then discover the opportunities that exist in the CIA. Completing research on the history of the CIA, the projected future of the agency itself, and understanding the infrastructure of the organization and how it works will allow you to consider the best work to match your personality. There are plenty of CIA jobs available from which to choose, with positions that can include:

  • Intelligence analysis and collection
  • Working with foreign languages
  • Computer science
  • Cyber crimes
  • Engineering
  • Law and legal services
  • Work with the investigation and compliance division
  • And many more options for you to evaluate in your job search

Get a Degree in Criminal Justice

Truthfully, whichever option you pursue when looking for CIA jobs will usually require you to hold a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Choosing a program that meets your needs is just as important as the rest of the decision-making process. Today's world is full of many options, sometimes too many. Your choice of college doesn't have to be overwhelming. Consider these steps to help narrow your focus on the best program to meet your needs as you get closer to your dream job.

  • Ask other people their opinions of which school is the best
  • Assess the academic offerings of each college
  • Do you want more hands-on or hands-off teaching?
  • Explore their website and curriculum content
  • Talk to a college representative
  • Consider the location—how far from your current home do you want/are you able to move
  • Do your homework and learn all that you can about the school and the program you are interested in pursuing

Once you have assessed your situation fully—you meet the basic requirements for a CIA job and you've identified your strengths, weaknesses and areas of interest, and you have weighed the pros and cons of various college programs—there is one question left to ask yourself. How long before I can get a degree in criminal justice, and what do I need to do to get this plan in action today?

At ECPI University, we could help you have a degree in your hand in as little 2.5 years. Our knowledgeable teachers will guide you and give you a hands-on teaching experience that could help you land a position at the CIA—but the choice is in your hands. Contact ECPI University today about earning your Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice! It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya.