Career Development Center

Description of the Field

International Security has organizations in every sector: government, private, and Nonprofit.  The goal of many intelligence service providers is to produce reports consisting of evaluated information and forecasts that political, military, and government leaders can use in decision making.  The government is a large employer but opportunities exist at think tanks, defense contractors and NGOS.

Career Paths and Entry Salaries

In the government, 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 grade with the level depending on experience.  GS-9 salary ranges in the DC area begin at $44,856 (effective January 1, 2006).  Updated GS Scale information can be found at: www.opm.gov/oca/09tables/index.asp/

Demand

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.

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.  International security specialists are promoted and given assignments according to the needs of the government. Further advancement leads to management positions.

Sample Group of Employers

Private Sector
- BAE Systems www.uniteddefense.com/
- Boeing www.boeing.com/
- General Dynamics www.generaldynamics.com/
- Lockheed-Martin www.lockheedmartin.com/
- Northrup-Grumman www.northropgrumman.com/
- Raytheon www.raytheon.com/
- Textron www.textron.com
- TRW www.trw.com
- United Technologies www.utc.com/

Government Agencies
- Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) www.dia.mil/
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) www.cia.gov/
- U.S. Department of State www.state.gov/
- Army www.army.mil/
- Air Force www.airforce.com/
- Navy www.navy.mil/
- Marines www.usmc.mil/
- U.S. Department of Energy www.doe.gov/
- National Security Agency www.nsa.gov/
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) www.fbi.gov/
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security www.dhs.gov/
- U.S. Department of Treasury www.treasury.gov/
- U.S. Coast Guard www.uscg.mil/
- National Geospatial Intelligence Agency www.nima.mil/
- Department of Defense, International Security Affairs Division www.defenselink.mil/
- International Security Group, Inc. (ISG) www.internationalsecurity.com/

Non-Government Organizations
- Center for Defense Information (CDI) www.cdi.org/
- The Brookings Institution www.brookings.edu/
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace www.carnegieendowment.org/
- Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation www.armscontrolcenter.org/
- Center for Strategic and International csis.org/
- SAIC www.saic.com/

Resources for Additional Information

- Women In International Security wiis.georgetown.edu/
- ASIS International www.asisonline.org/
- Intelligence Careers www.intelligencecareers.com/  
- Law Enforcement Jobs www.lawenforcementjobs.com/  
- Security Management Online www.securitymanagement.com/
- Security Jobs Network securityjobs.net/