Career Opportunities in National Security

 Description of the Field

The goal of every intelligence service is to produce reports consisting of evaluated information and forecasts that political, military, and government leaders can use in decision making.

 Career Paths and Entry Salaries

Case officers stationed overseas gather intelligence and then relay the information to analysts who interpret the data for their reports.  There are specialized analysts called technical analysts as well as cryptographic technicians who are experts at coding, decoding and sending secret messages.

There are three categories of intelligence operations:  strategic intelligence, tactical intelligence, and counterintelligence.  Strategic intelligence agents keep track of world events, watch foreign leaders carefully, and study a foreign country’s politics, economy, military status, and scientific advances.  Tactical intelligence consists of determining which groups hold power and looking at foreign policy, public opinion, and voting statistics.  Economic factors include trade agreements, the gross national product, and possible famines, all of which can influence domestic and foreign policies.  Counterintelligence consists of keeping valuable information away from the enemy and prevents subversion and sabotage.

The Department of Defense International Security Affairs Division develops defense positions in political, military and foreign economic affairs, including arms control and disarmament.  Among its functions are negotiating and monitoring agreements with foreign governments concerning military facilities and the status of the armed forces.

Salaries for those with advanced degrees are hired at the GS-9 level with a starting salary of $38,406.  Those with related experience or federal government experience may command a higher salary at the GS-11 or 12 pay rate.

Qualifications Necessary to Enter the Field

An advanced degree is desirable along with the ability to speak and read a foreign language, computer literacy, excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills, and historian’s skills.

Entry-level employees generally are assigned to gather information.  With experience and training, they can qualify as analysts.  Advancement may include postings requiring more responsibility and assignments in foreign countries.  They are promoted and given assignments according to the needs of the government. Further advancement leads to management positions.

Sample Group of Employers

Private Sector

Demand and Future Challenges of the Profession

Intelligence operations are closely linked to the world political situation.  People with specialized skills or backgrounds in the languages and customs of certain countries will continue to be in high demand.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) merges several intelligence-related federal agencies creating one agency that has the capability to anticipate, preempt and deter threats to the homeland whenever possible, and the ability to respond quickly when such threats do materialize.  DHS is responsible for assessing the vulnerabilities of the nation's critical infrastructure and cyber security threats and will take the lead in evaluating these vulnerabilities and coordinating with other federal, state, local, and private entities to ensure the most effective response.

Resources for more Information

Associations/Websites:

  • Association of Former Intelligence Officers
    6723 Whittier Ave., Suite 303A
    McLean, VA 22101-4533
    703-790-0320

  • http://www.afio.com/index.html (New site);   Also, afio@his.com

  • http://www.intelligencecareers.com: A good starting point for "information intelligence professionals" to find great career opportunities. This is not an IT-recruiting website. This website is all about the pursuit of "information intelligence" - careers that balance the need for world knowledge with the ability to use technology to achieve action.
  • http://www.lawenforcementjobs.com/: Resource for those interested in law enforcement area of the security field. The jobs are open for all to review, you can register to receive announcements of new jobs as they are posted, and they have training resources (books) and a calendar of training sessions being offered by various organizations and agencies.

  • http://www.asisonline.org/: Resource for security professionals.  Formerly known as the American Society for Industrial Security, ASIS International is an international organization. Visitors to this site can read the latest issue of Security Management, (http://www.securitymanagement.com/), check out education and training opportunities, learn about professional certification, or get information on scholarship and grant programs from the association. Members can also access the association’s extensive career center.

  • http://securityjobs.net/: Resource for security and law enforcement professionals. Job listings require a paid subscription, but much of the resource information is free including great research links to additional online security and law enforcement resources    .

Publications

Career Opportunities in Politics, Government and Activism, Joan Axelrod-Contrada and Lisa A. Gihring, Facts on File (2003) – in career library

Federal Jobs: The Ultimate Guide, 3rd Edition, Dana Morgan and Robert Goldenkoff, Arco Publishing (2002) – in career library

Guide to Homeland Security Careers, Donald B. Hutton and Anna Mydlarz, Barron’s Education Series (2003) – in career library

John Douglas’s Guide to Careers in the FBI, John E. Douglas, Kaplan (1998 – in career library

Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, ISSN 1547-7355

Journal of Homeland Security

  

Edited for the use of Maxwell graduate students and alumni by the staff of the Office of Career and Alumni Services. Written by Career Directors from the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs

This page current as of: April 24, 2008