While daily reports indicate massive private sector layoffs
in the United States, government employment appears to be
relatively safe. A recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report
indicated that government job growth will come primarily
from increased homeland security needs ("Career Guide to
Industries 2008: Federal Government;" Bureau of Labor
Statistics, December 2008). A study conducted by the
Partnership for Public Service discovered that the majority
of federal government new hires will come from five
specific areas, including security, enforcement, and
compliance, among others. These statistics suggest that
strategic security careers within the federal government
will continue to be in demand. Specifically, the demand for
intelligence jobs will continue to increase. If you are
interested in such a career, one way to boost your
employment potential and provide you with a competitive
edge is by obtaining an education with a focus in
intelligence studies, or other areas of strategic security.
Overview of Intelligence Jobs
Government agencies have literally thousands of
intelligence jobs available for qualified individuals. A
career in intelligence requires employees to analyze and
effectively report on political, economic and social trends
in countries around the world in support of policymakers.
Major U.S. intelligence agencies, such as the Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Defense Intelligence Agency
(DIA), and the National Security Agency (NSA) seek to hire
individuals with a wide variety of skills and expertise. In
addition to these standard intelligence agencies, other
government agencies also employ intelligence analysts.
These agencies include the following: Air Force
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency
(AIA/ISR Agency); Army Intelligence and Security Command
(INSCOM); Coast Guard Intelligence (CGI); Department of
Energy, Office of Intelligence (DOE/IN); Department of
Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis
(DHS/OIA); Department of State, Bureau of Intelligence and
Research (DOS/INR); Department of the Treasury, Office of
Intelligence and Analysis (DOT/OIA); Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA); Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI);Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA); National
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA);National
Reconnaissance Office (NRO); and the Navy, Office of Naval
Intelligence (ONI) .
State and local agencies also employ intelligence analysts.
Among other initiatives, the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) has worked with state and local governments
and law enforcement agencies to create Intelligence Fusion
Centers located around the country, which help local and
state officials respond to threats in their particular
jurisdictions.
The private sector also has many intelligence career
opportunities, including employment in major corporations,
think-tanks, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
NGOs employ researchers with specific area and tradecraft
expertise in intelligence. Many NGOs, such as Human Rights
Watch and International Crisis Group, have watch centers
around the world in which intelligence analysts monitor and
analyze current events.
Finally, large corporations often maintain intelligence
units that employ former military intelligence officers or
civilian intelligence analysts. Recent corporate
intelligence job openings from Fortune 500 companies and
government prime contractors that provide intelligence
services to the government include: BAE Systems, Boeing,
Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI International, Lockheed Martin,
Northrop Grumman, Science Applications International
Corporation, and SRA International.
Benefits of Educational focus in Intelligence Studies
By obtaining an education with a strategic security focus,
such as intelligence studies, students and professionals
alike can set themselves apart from the competition for
intelligence jobs. An educational focus in intelligence
studies enables students and professionals to learn how to
think strategically and problem solve effectively. In
addition to learning about the history of intelligence,
students often learn many of the skills mentioned, which
are necessary to succeed in this field. Agencies looking to
hire intelligence analysts look for individuals with these
skills. Advanced education in intelligence studies is
especially relevant for those professionals interested in a
career change into the intelligence field. By furthering
your education through studying relevant fields within the
strategic security sector, you will be one step closer to
gaining employment in this growing field.
----------------------------------------------------
Daniel Sommer is Director of Marketing at Henley-Putnam
University. Henley-Putnam offers accredited online Bachelor
and Master of Science Degrees in Intelligence Management,
Terrorism & Counterterrorism Studies, and Management of
Protection Management, and a Doctoral Degree Program in
Strategic Security. For more information on Henley-Putnam
University, Intelligence Studies or Intelligence Jobs,
visit http://www.Henley-Putnam.edu .
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