How To Become A CIA Agent
Train to Become a CIA Agent and Have a Prestigious, Exciting Job
With a bachelor's dream, some law enforcement experience and a personal drive, you can explore the world of being a CIA agent. Although many people think all jobs in the agency are exciting spy roles, there are many niches to focus on, so a degree in economics or math could suffice.
Most people think becoming a CIA agent is an unattainable position, since we liken it with the movies. the intrigue and espionage we see in James Bond can't possibly make for a real career objective, but it can. As long as you are a US citizen, drug free and have a really clean record, you could be eligible to work in this illustrious agency. The CIA wants good people with integrity, dependability and loyalty, so if you feel you fit the bill, see what other requirements you must fulfill.
CIA Training
There are many different jobs within the CIA, so there are many different educational degrees that could make you eligible for employment. A bachelor's degree, which will take you 4 years, is generally the minimum degree necessary though, with many higher positions requiring an additional 2-3 years to complete a master's degree. This criminal justice degree can be in fields like criminal justice, economics, math, science or international relations, many of which you can taking online at places like Phoneix International or AIU. You will need to stay at the top of your class though and maintain an average GPA of no less than 3.0. The CIA wants disciplined, sharp workers, so slacking in school won't help you out. Additionally, you should consider learning multiple languages, as they are always a benefit and sometimes a requirement in the CIA.
Job Options
The reason the CIA was established was to support the US president and other people in charge by helping them make international decisions based on intelligence gathered. The CIA needs to track information to allow accurate policies to be made, and this intelligence gathering is in a variety of areas like terrorism, drugs or nuclear weapons. Their first priority is national security, so once they catch wind that something is going to take place, they call in the FBI to apprehend the criminals. They simply need to evaluate and collect data, but they pass it on to other agencies to take care of. In this way, there is only a small percentage of the CIA that are "spies" as we know them, while in fact many of the positions are mundane office jobs that help analyse and sift through the data gathered.
Job Outlook
Work as a CIA agent or intelligence analyst is very lucrative. The average salary is about $50,000 and can go up to over $75,000, and according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, more and more positions will continue to open up, with about an 17% increase in the field until 2016. Getting a position as an information analyst is very competitive, so be sure to prepare early to ensure you get the right schooling, stay at the top of the class and get relevant work experience to go with your education. A CIA agent is an interesting choice among careers in criminal justice, even if you are not running around as a spy.
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