Intelligence & National Security

It can be difficult to envision a career in intelligence and find opportunities in national security given how secretive this space can be! But we have a well-connected alumni network in all of the three letter agencies, ready to help you understand the nature of the work and the cumbersome application process.

Also, did you know Susan used to be an intel analyst? She can give you an insider’s perspective – so schedule an appointment with her if you’re getting ready to apply to an internship or job in this field. 

There are 18 agencies within the IC! So get to know them and their different priorities and perspectives. The National Intelligence Strategy can give you some insight into community’s mission and scope. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created in 2004 to oversee the community and is also a good resource.

Internships are available within the IC and are a great way to see what the work is like and be granted a security clearance in a (relatively) short time frame. But, the lengthy security clearance process means the applications for internships open EARLY – usually in the spring of the year prior to the internship.

This is the best site to learn more about the many agencies and job openings: https://www.intelligence.gov/careers

To learn more about the field, Michael Morrell’s Intelligence Matters podcast is a great resource. If you’re interested in CIA specifically, listen to this episode. It’s an interview with CIA’s top recruiter. Notice how she talks about traits (commitment to mission and judgment) more than skills.  She also provides useful insights into the security clearance process.

This part is daunting. But it’s important to understand that the intent behind the process is to determine your commitment to serve the United States and whether you have any relationships or circumstances that would make you vulnerable to pressure by foreign adversaries. It’s really a counterintelligence exercise. If you have massive amounts of debt AND don’t disclose it to the government, then a foreign government could know that about you and use it to coerce you into divulging our national secrets to them. So, the point is not for you to demonstrate you are a perfect person. The point is to be transparent about your vulnerabilities so they can’t be used against you! And, for you to demonstrate that you can be trusted with state secrets.

So…the most important piece of advice we can offer is to say this: don’t lie! Be forthright and answer the questions they ask honestly. That said, you don’t need to divulge every detail of your life. Give them what they ask for – and nothing more.

If you want to see what sorts of questions you’ll be asked, you can check out the form. The SF-86 is the form everyone fills out as the first step in the process. 

There are two things you really need to be aware of even before you apply.

  • Close and continuing contact. The first is the need to report “close and continuing contact” with foreign nationals. You can learn more about this here. It just means you should be mindful of the people you build relationships with while studying abroad.
  • Marijuana use. Here’s the latest on the guidance around marijuana use and security clearances. Bottom line: previous use is relevant, but not determinative. That means you need to disclose use of federally defined illegal substances (given the need to disclose counterintelligence vulnerabilities) and it won’t automatically disqualify you from consideration. Note: the FBI feels differently. Don’t apply there unless it’s been two years since you’ve used federally banned substances. They are a federal law enforcement agency…and marijuana use is still in violation of federal law, despite what many states may say.

We’re obviously not lawyers and this process plays out differently for everyone. Come see us if you have questions or concerns. We may not be able to provide answers and we definitely can’t give you the certainty you crave, but we can put the whole process in context for you!

Intelligence analysis and risk assessment is not limited to the government. Jobs assessing the threat landscape exist in the private sector, too – and they can support government clients as well as corporations and even multinational organizations.

Check out our alumni chats with representatives from Avascent, the Center for Naval Analyses and The Stimson Center. These are great examples of national security policy outside of government.

Here are a few more places to consider: