When it comes to careers, Hollywood movies and American novels portray the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as an exciting choice.
Shrouded with mystery, the CIA is an independent federal agency, responsible for providing national security intelligence to the United States of America’s nation’s policymakers. The foreign intelligence the CIA gathers is used to provide tactical and strategic advantages, pre-empting threats and further U.S. national security objectives. The covert activities and the objective analyses that result, are used to keep the nation safe.
The CIA operates in a covert manner, ensuring the actions, activities and whereabouts of agents and operatives are never compromised.
But how does one become a field agent for the iconic CIA?
Becoming a CIA agent in Clandestine Services is no easy task. The CIA’s National Clandestine Services programme serves as the front-line gatherers of clandestine information regarding foreign countries.
With great responsibility, applicants need to be the best of the best. In fact, the Clandestine Service Program is designed for people with a bachelor’s degree, as well as several years of business or military experience.
To join this unit, candidates for COA agent jobs must meet the following requirements:
- Be a citizen of the United States
- Be at least 18-years-old
- Possess a bachelor’s degree
- Have strong interpersonal skills
- Have a strong interest in international affairs
- Be able to write clearly and accurately
Adding onto these requirements, the following desirable qualifications is also listed by the CIA:
- Experience of foreign lands and traveling abroad
- Have experience in living abroad
- Possess a sensitivity to other cultures
- Foreign language proficiency. The CIA lists languages that are deemed critical to have knowledge of. These include: Arabic, Dari, Korean, Persian, Somali, Chinese, Indonesian, Pashto, Turkish, Urdu, and Kurdish,
With extensive training, both mentally and physically, applicants have a daunting task ahead of them before becoming a qualified field agent.
Once your position is secured, you can forget about parades where you proudly display your medals in front of scores of people. Rather, you will work long hours and your rewards will remain in the shadows where you work.
While a difficult job and a far cry from your regular forms of careers, being a CIA Field Agent definitely has its perks. Protecting millions of people, while knowing you lead a lifestyle very similar to James Bond. Except you don’t shoot all willy nilly like the legendary English spy does.
As South Africans immigrate to lands far and wide, taking up new a citizenship and career. This is one to ad to the list as it offers a unique place in this world, filled with skilled individuals and special ops and of course, a very cool outfit and ear piece.
Do you have what it takes to be a CIA agent?
