An internship with the CIA is a great way to add unique experience to your resume while also giving you a leg up on the competition for a job with the United States’ premier espionage agency. To get an internship with the CIA, you must plan ahead up to a year, meet scholastic requirements, be a US citizen, be enrolled in a CIA-approved major, and interview in Washington, D.C. Meeting these criteria will increase your chances of landing one of these coveted semester internship positions.
A CIA internship is a fantastic way for college students to learn more about how this important government agency operates. Interns do not work in espionage, but rather in lower-level positions in various departments, assisting experts in a variety of fields. Internships are typically 90 days long and include a generous stipend, medical insurance, and even paid vacation.
The first step in applying for an internship is to plan ahead. A polygraph test, a medical exam, and a background check are all required the CIA. Because tens of thousands of students apply for a CIA internship, the process can take anywhere from nine to twelve months. It is critical to state in the application paperwork if you have prior experience or interest in a particular field of study.
Meeting the CIA internship program’s minimum requirements is also crucial to the application process. This program is only open to citizens of the United States who are 18 years old or older, and you must be able to provide proof of both if requested. You must also be able to demonstrate that you are a full-time college student who intends to return for at least one more semester after your internship. A minimum 3.0 grade point average in Information Technology, Engineering, or one of the sciences is also required.
If you meet the CIA internship program’s requirements, you may be asked to attend an in-person interview at the CIA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. These meetings will be with department heads from various sectors, who will inquire as to what qualifies you for this government internship. You can use this section to highlight specific work experience and educational background characteristics that make you a good fit for this internship. If you meet all of the requirements and impress the interviewers, you will most likely be offered an internship and will be on your way to a career with the CIA.