What should I get a degree in if i wanted to be an Operations Officer for the CIA? What is a good way for me to stand out from the many applications that the CIA receives each year?
I am asking this because I want to be in the CIA but, I'm not sure what degree I should get for the specific job I want to do in the CIA. #military #cia
3 answers
James’s Answer
Sean’s Answer
A lot of people go to the military colleges like Annapolis or west point. CIA is a popular branch of government so the demand is very high for these positions. I would definitely encourage you do be a top performer in your class and study something like international relations or political science. If you cannot get into a military college then an Ivy league school is a close second.
Learn a foreign language, or several. That will help tremendously as well. Arabic, Russian, and Chinese are the cliche ones you always hear about, but I'm willing to bet there are other languages the CIA needs as well.
Ethan Case, PE, LEED AP
George’s Answer
I have worked for 44 years in the Intelligence Field and upon occasion I worked with the CIA. I would recommend that you talk to a CIA recruiter about your aspirations and ask you question of them. I do know that the CIA has an Internship program that will provide much of the training that you would need. Furthermore, having proficiency in foreign languages will help you immensely. Likewise having a degree that provides you with in depth knowledge of geography, culture, history and politics of one or more foreign countries will help you as well. There are many different types of jobs in the intelligence community so it is difficult to be much more specific.