If you are in school and considering a job within the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the good news is that you do not have to wait until you graduate! You can start contributing to the country’s safety and well being right now if you apply for one of many student programmes in the organization. You can choose to participate in the graduate studies programmes; the undergraduate student internships; or the undergraduate co-ops.
Signing up for any one of these programmes is a great way to earn valuable experience and learn from skilled professionals who help to make foreign policy. And that’s not all – while gaining invaluable experience, you will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to earn a competitive salary for doing important work. Of course, like anything of value, opportunities for students are very competitive and you will be expected to meet the same standards as those who are permanently employed to the organisation. That means you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a US citizen
- Have and maintain a good academic record (a GPA of 3.0 or higher is required)
- Demonstrate outstanding interpersonal skills
- Be able to communicate fluently, both written and oral
- Demonstrate a healthy interest in foreign affairs
- Military experience and foreign language skills are pluses
- Successfully complete a medical exam as well as a polygraph test
Do not hesitate to become a part of something worthwhile, especially since positions offered to students within the CIA offer the same competitive salaries as those within the private sector with some of the same benefits as those who are permanently employed. To give you more of an insight into what working for the CIA could translate into for you, here is a description of opportunities available to students within the Undergraduate Scholarship Programme:
The CIA’s Undergraduate Scholarship Programme is available to students who are seniors in high school or sophomores in college (planning to or pursuing a 4 or 5 year programme). Successful applicants will be able to complete work assignments during the summer break and will be assigned meaningful work which relates directly to their majors. The chosen applicant will be awarded with an annual salary as well as a benefits package (optional) which includes retirement, health, life insurance, vision and dental insurance. In addition, the lucky scholar is eligible for up to $18, 000 a year to go towards tuition, books and supplies and mandatory fees. Since you will be employed to the CIA, you will be required to complete assignments while in the Washington D.C. area during the summer while maintaining a full time status during the rest of the school year. The cost of transportation as well as a housing allowance will also be provided. As part of the undergraduate scholarship programme and, therefore, a beneficiary of an investment being made in you, it is important to understand that accepting this opportunity translates into you making a career choice and agreeing to stay on with the CIA after graduating from college.
