Career Profile: CIA Agent

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The idea of working and analyzing data that can combat national security threats is something many might find intriguing as a career. However, you can not just start working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) without doing research into requirements and other facets of the career. We breakdown requirements and what you can expect in the daily life of a CIA agent.

Being a protective agent within the CIA is a pretty broad term. This could apply to those working security details at the political level or working in an office environment disseminating security information. We have chosen to look more specifically at the Protective Agent career profile.

Daily Activities of a CIA Agent

One of the first things to understand around the daily activities of a CIA agent is that you work at a very fast pace and will be required to multi-task (several different reports will be worked on in one single day). Depending on your role, you might also become focused around a certain topic or subject matter. Another big part of a protective agents job is communication (both written and verbal). Sometimes your communication that is extended to your superiors can make its way all the way up to some of the highest levels of the CIA and federal government. You will also need to be able to keep a calm and cool head when you get stretched between several different jobs or reports too.

Requirements of CIA Agents

According to the CIA career section you will need at least a high school diploma to become a CIA Protective Agent. While it does not appear that you need a criminal justice degree for this particular career, it does mention that anybody hoping to gain employment should have 7+ years of military, law enforcement, or security experience. A bachelors degree is preferred but that does not mean required (so the right experience could have the same weight as a degree). You will need to research the requirements around that other experience to make sure you qualify for it (and the level of degree it requires). They also prefer candidates that have:

• Any kind of warzone experience (this could come from active duty military or private security firms)
• Understand of protective protocol
• Experience in documentation and reporting

Flexible schedules are also a requirement for protective agents as nights and evening shifts are a common occurrence. This career can require an employment contract that spans for several years placing a bigger emphasis on being able to dedicate a lot of time to this job. Holiday and weekend shifts are pretty common and should be expected in protective agent career. You will also be expected to pass a medical exam and be physically fit (as the job can often demand it). As with many government jobs, you will be subject to a background check/investigation which will look to see if you have used illegal drugs in the past 12 months.

Career Outlook for a CIA Agent

In order to give you a complete understanding of the career outlook and profile around a CIA agent,we utilize ONET summary reports to help you understand. They didn hat have a direct summary around CIA agents but did for Special Agents. At a glance, they show the following data around the career:

• 2014 Median Wage of $38.40 hourly or $79,870 annually
• As of 2012, there are 115,000 employees in this career role
• Projected job growth from 2012-2022 is minimal at less than 2%
• Projected job openings during that same time period is 27,700.

The actual CIA career profile website lists the salary range for a Protective Agent at $70,095 – $78,592 which puts the ONET estimate fairly in line. While the growth for the career profile as a whole is minimal, check the anticipated growth around your state as it can vary greatly. Also, as this is a government job, make sure to keep up with political and budgetary changes as that landscape can have a great effect on career growth.

CIA Career FAQs

• How do you even get your first interview at the CIA?: Obtaining an interview with the CIA often starts with the same steps required for any new position. People that are interested in pursuing a career with the CIA are encouraged to review the agency’s website for information about job requirements and documents required for application. If you are interested in pursuing a career, simply submit an application through the department’s website. Applicants that have a strong background in communication, foreign affairs, and research are highly sought after at the CIA, so these are all important skills that can get your application pushed further into consideration. Many applicants that have received a call for an interview have some experience working in fields that include information technology, scientific research, and foreign affairs. If you apply and have the skills and background required for the positions, you could get called in to take part in the interview process.
• Will I have to relocate?: The CIA offers positions that require employees to remain local as well as many overseas and out-of-state ventures. Depending on what type of position you obtain within the CIA, you could be required to travel regularly and possibly reside in various regions all over the world. While there are many local opportunities for upcoming professionals, relocating can always be an option with new assignments. If you were to obtain a job working for the CIA, the option to relocate may be associated with different job opportunities that are presented to you after being hired.
• What is the work culture like?: Current and former employees of the CIA often state that the CIA has a collaborative work environment that is pleasant to work in. Others have noted that budget restrictions and other government-related regulations have strained the ability to engage in certain projects, but no barriers exist to a team-centered work environment. Various teams throughout the CIA work together toward common goals. Different expert areas are often working together in order to ensure National Security for all people.
• Are internships available at the CIA?: There are internship opportunities available through the CIA for those that qualify. The CIA currently offers internship opportunities to High School Seniors, Community College Students, and College Students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Prospects are encouraged to maintain a 3.0 GPA and submit an application in order to qualify.

Types of CIA Careers