tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569772432953120875.post3563265929891037693..comments2024-02-22T19:45:29.872-05:00Comments on Sources And Methods: Part 4 -- Even Better News!! (How To Get A Job In Intelligence)Kristan J. Wheatonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02566135545863154089noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569772432953120875.post-52346266505159625752013-05-09T14:16:15.144-04:002013-05-09T14:16:15.144-04:00This is a wonderful series and I am so happy to ha...This is a wonderful series and I am so happy to have found it. If anyone gets this can you fix the internal links that purport to take you to Part 3? Most of the time they take you to a page that has nothing to do with this blog series. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569772432953120875.post-44361039775755763112009-07-27T11:47:05.085-04:002009-07-27T11:47:05.085-04:00I, too, sometimes wonder about businesses and thei...I, too, sometimes wonder about businesses and their approach to an "intelligence" degree.<br /><br />On the one hand, I understand your point completely. Once someone hires a Mercyhurst grad, they are usually thrilled with the capabilities they have in exactly the areas you identify.<br /><br />On the other hand, getting a company to the point of hiring such a graduate is generally a time-consuming process that begins with a visit to the campus, continues with an intern that knocks their socks off and winds up with a recruiting visit in October.<br /><br />As more and more intelligence studies programs come online, I think that this will gradually dissipate. In fact, I can see a time when employers look first to "intelligence schools" for qualified graduates in the same way they look today to "law schools" and "medical schools" in those fields (H/T to my colleague Steve Marrin for the idea).Kristan J. Wheatonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02566135545863154089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569772432953120875.post-32700148169858868942009-07-26T23:19:45.139-04:002009-07-26T23:19:45.139-04:00Of the three main areas of possible employment for...Of the three main areas of possible employment for intelligence analysts, the business sector is by far the one that stumps me the most.<br /><br />First, let's forget about job titles that are strictly "intelligence analyst" jobs. Let's look at attributes and skill sets and how they can be valuable to a company. <br /><br />How many times have you guys read articles saying how businesses are looking for candidates possessing the following skills?<br /><br />--Analytical Skills<br />--Solid writing skills<br />--Solid speaking skills <br />--Experience and ability to work in groups and on projects<br /><br />The Mercyhurst program puts out graduates each year who are very strong in all of these skills. Mercyhurst grads also have great skills in researching, classifying and computerizing information. They can help a company on a lot of levels.<br /><br />It's amazing to me that more businesses aren’t attracted to hiring folks with this kind of skill set.<br /><br />Is it because these students don't actually have a business degree? If so, that's small-minded thinking on the part of businesses. And heck, there are many business programs where students rarely do presentations or much project work. The Mercyhurst program does a ton of this stuff. It's not a "given" by any means that business students gain experience in developiong the same kind of skill set that Mercyhurst or other intelligence students develop. <br /><br />Many corporate human resource departments are only geared to look for certain key things like business degrees, certifications, etc. And when it comes to an intelligence degree, most HR folks probably don’t even understand what it means.<br /><br />If they spent less time focusing on degree names and more time looking at attributes and skill sets, they'd understand just how valuable intelligence students can be to a company.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569772432953120875.post-43299271736236965682009-07-23T18:54:17.628-04:002009-07-23T18:54:17.628-04:00What are everyone's views to the transferabili...What are everyone's views to the transferability of skill sets? Would experience in the military/national security sector easily transfer to say competitive intelligence? Obviously there would be procedural and terminology issues, but that is not much different than say moving from analyzing Iraqi tank divisions to analyzing an insurgent group in Africa.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569772432953120875.post-9164718501879233272009-07-22T21:40:45.479-04:002009-07-22T21:40:45.479-04:00This is such a great series. A recent discussion K...This is such a great series. A recent discussion Kris and I had in another thread focused on some of these issues, too. For those interested, check out this thread.<br /><br /><br />http://sourcesandmethods.blogspot.com/2009/06/teaching-high-school-students-to-be.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569772432953120875.post-2448128025053980462009-07-22T14:58:15.892-04:002009-07-22T14:58:15.892-04:00Thanks to all for the great comments!
I intend to...Thanks to all for the great comments!<br /><br />I intend to write about jobs in commercial intelligence agencies, thinks tanks and NGOs next but I genuinely appreciate the reference to ReliefWeb as it is one of the best places to start. I don't want to steal my thunder but another place that occasionally posts job listings and covers some of the opportunities in this field is the blog, Patronus Analytical (http://www.patronusanalytical.com/)<br /><br />For Erik, I fully intend to post a link list as I get closer to the end of the series and Intelligencecareers.com is one of the sites I will recommend. <br /><br />However, intelligencecareers.com really only covers (with some exceptions) intelligence jobs in the national security career field. Other intelligence jobs, like the ones I discuss in parts 3 and 4 of this series, would be unlikely to be found if you looked at intelligencecareers.com.<br /><br />I do agree that the job seeker has to take some personal responsibility in finding a job and that there are a number of jobs out there. I also think, however, that the field can be a bit confusing for the entry-level person trying to get a position for the first time which is why I decided to write this series. <br /><br />Finally, I certainly don't assume I have a lock on knowledge in this field. Please do not hesitate to share any information that might be of use here on the blog.Kristan J. Wheatonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02566135545863154089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569772432953120875.post-30397614751541477702009-07-22T13:59:26.982-04:002009-07-22T13:59:26.982-04:00I just got done reading the 4 part series you post...I just got done reading the 4 part series you posted about finding a job in the intelligence community. You make some very interesting observations. Some of which are correct, but there are glaring oversights about the overall process.<br /><br />First of all, I would like to state that if someone is interested in a job in the intelligence community, it should be fairly easy for them to find the jobs... If they are truly analytical / creative thinkers.<br /><br />The one site I figured would get a mention in any one of the four part series would have been http://www.intelligencecareers.com/<br /><br />I'd post more, but I might come across as snide, but I would love to discuss this topic if you are interested. I've been in the intel industry for over 12 years, and would enjoy helping an educator get better information for their students if i can.<br /><br />e.s.cohenlevy at gmailErikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02001367988016396361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569772432953120875.post-69986846476944698552009-07-22T11:20:09.334-04:002009-07-22T11:20:09.334-04:00Relief web is the best resource (http://www.relief...Relief web is the best resource (http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/res.nsf/doc212?OpenForm). Use the drop down menu and select security, there are usually 4 or 5 new positions per month. It's also worth searching other sectors, as NGO desk officers tend engage in a lot of analysis (i.e., if you're running a refugee program in Peshawar, you'd better be on top of political and military affairs). As you pointed out, intelligence work goes well beyond the traditional federal agencies. There are also some good private risk consultancies, such as Control Risks, that cater to both private businesses and NGOs. As I mentioned, the field is growing, to the point where one group is starting a professional association that will include certifications, etc (not yet on line). Hope this helps.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569772432953120875.post-18962738387348094332009-07-22T10:43:13.194-04:002009-07-22T10:43:13.194-04:00Anonymous,
Your field in the humanitarian sector s...Anonymous,<br />Your field in the humanitarian sector sounds very interesting. Where and how would those types of positions be advertised?Kris A.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569772432953120875.post-56752773345168527372009-07-22T10:05:13.246-04:002009-07-22T10:05:13.246-04:00Kristan,
Great series. I work in humanitarian sec...Kristan,<br /><br />Great series. I work in humanitarian security in the NGO community, and much of the work I do is similar to intelligence work (though we are very careful about how we phrase this). This is a small but growing field, the goal of which is to help protect humanitarian aid workers in the field. Information is critical in my line of work. The largest employer in this field is the UN, which usually requires police or military background, though this is changing. NGOs are a great starting point--I went from grad school directly to the Africa desk at my organization. One great benefit is that I get to do analysis and also field visits to holiday spots like Darfur, Chad, eastern DRC, etc. The pay is low, but job security is good (disasters don't hinge on the economy) and the experience--especially in the field--is invaluable. Keep up the good work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569772432953120875.post-60595548567488385602009-07-22T08:54:20.454-04:002009-07-22T08:54:20.454-04:00Great post, thanks for giving props to Competitive...Great post, thanks for giving props to Competitive Intel.<br /><br />I'm working CI at MSA in Pittsburgh this summer and find it to be an excellent experience. This is my second CI job and there is no doubt in my mind CI provides significant advantages.<br /><br />With all the information available in an emerging global economy, I can't imagine a firm being profitable without SOME form of CI, whether formal or informal.<br /><br />No, CI and MI jobs aren't as "sexy" as national security or law enforcement intel jobs, but they are just as fulfilling. Perhaps SCIP and other organizations need to "market" CI better. On the other hand, maybe CI works best as a well kept secret.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15542298989216057490noreply@blogger.com