The informational email will read:

Dear . . .,

Intelligence, and the need for intelligence, is ultimately tied to 'problem solving'. Intelligence is all about problem definition, collecting relevant information, analysis and identification of information significance, and helping develop options to solve the problem.

If this sounds interesting then ask yourself: "What problem do I solve? Or can apply myself against?"

These are very important questions. Your success in finding a great career opportunity hinges on matching your skills to a specific organization that is solving a specific problem.

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Finding the Front Doors
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There are few front doors in the world of secure Defense Systems and Intelligence careers. Much of the defense workforce morphs and migrates from company to company as problems and needs change.

You must have patience, focus and a 2-5 year plan if you are trying to break into the business. If you are already experienced then you need to stay focused on specific markets and move as they do.

You must be realistic -- MOST secure defense and intelligence specialists have prior military or federal government backgrounds. If you are unwilling to serve in the Armed Forces or the federal government then you are decreasing your opportunities by as much as 80-90%.

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Points to Ponder
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-- Entry level opportunities in Federal Government are far fewer than in the Armed Services.

-- The defense industry, even in good times, has few entry-level positions.

-- The defense industry needs experience and security clearances to put you to work.

-- Security clearances can take as long as 18 months to acquire. You cannot be used in most environments without a prior government security clearance.

-- Acquiring a security clearance comes ONLY from government service or employment by a defense contractor with national defense requirements.

-- Except for rare engineers, only government and military service offers entry-level opportunities; entry-level meaning that someone is willing to give you a paycheck without you already having a security clearance -- your knowledge and experience ONLY have value if you readily usable.

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Options to Military Service
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If you are opposed to exploring military service:

-- There are entry-level opportunities in the civilian intelligence agencies. However these positions are rare and a multitude of candidates often compete for each position. Minimum education: BA/BS degree.

-- Many miscellaneous opportunities exist in Federal Government outside if the mainstream agencies. You'll find these positions listed at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/

-- Seek out the largest defense contractors. They may have an interesting commercial sector position that you can use as a springboard to 'hire from within' opportunities for national defense contracts. Example: join Boeing and aim for Boeing Autometric; other candidates: Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems.

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Professional Value
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Your focus needs to be on having some 'problem solving' value. Intelligence professionals are like bandaids - they are applied as needed. Have you asked yourself WHY you are needed? The answer should be that you have some level of expertise that can be used in problem solving.

Many more thoughts on this are available is our downloadable career guide at: #homeweburl#/careerguide.cfm

Assuming that you have at least a BA/BS degree (with exception to military service), below are some recommendations for finding entry-level positions.

Join a professional organization that is close to the defense and intelligence industries. Some starting points:

-- AFCEA www.afcea.org, the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association
-- NMIA www.nmia.org, the National Military Intelligence Association

You can find a master listing of recommended professional organizations at #homeweburl#/cs_proorgs.cfm

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Career Fairs
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When at career fairs:

-- Seek out the CIA, DIA, FBI, NSA and State Department. They often attend at academic, professional and technical events.

-- Seek out other federal agencies. There are probably MORE opportunities with some of the smaller agencies than with mainstream agencies.

-- University career events, if the university has strong programs in computer science, foreign languages, information science, international affairs, policy - foreign or public - then seek out research opportunities in contracts the university may have with government.

-- IntelligenceCareers.com has its own career fair series. However our series are focused primarily on transitioning cleared professionals from one challenge to the next. If you do not have a security clearance you will find our events educational but not necessarily a door opener.

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Agency Internships
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Most of the intelligence agencies offer internships for college students, and many offer similar programs for high schoolers as well.

-- Check out: www.cia.gov, www.fbi.gov, www.nsa.gov

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Corporations
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Sometimes it pays to think big. VERY FEW small to mid-size organizations have any entry-level positions, or positions by which you can gain a security clearance. You need to target large organizations like BAE Systems www.baesystems.com, Boeing www.boeing.com and Lockheed Martin www.lockheedmartin.com

* These organizations will pose a challenge to you as well and patience yields the reward. You want to get into these organizations because, once you are on the payroll doing something productive, they can sponsor you for a security clearance -- where appropriate. Being on the payroll is no guarantee of being sponsored. You will have to seek out 'hire from within' positions that require a security clearance. If you are academically, professionally and technically qualified then there is no reason that you shouldn't be selected.

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Government Service
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You have three main opportunities: civil service (federal), military service or service within one of the intelligence agencies. Age can also be a factor in some government service positions.

* Civil Service - many federal positions require a security clearance. The rule for civil service is much like seeking out a large corporation as already discussed. You will come in as entry-level and 'hire from within' over time into positions of growing responsibility. Once you have your security clearance then your options grow immensely.

* Intelligence Agencies - CIA, DIA, FBI, and NSA recruiters can often be found at most large career events oriented to educated professionals. You should also visit their websites.

* Military Intelligence - the Armed Forces are the great source of the majority of security clearances held today. It is the fountain of experience common to many in the civilian intelligence services, and the great source of cleared personnel for industry. Military Intelligence and Armed Forces service has no near competitor in being the means to gain a security clearance that industry needs and seeks.

----- Lack of a degree will not hinder you in getting a military intelligence position. The military will in fact pay for you to get your degree through part-time study and once you complete military service.

----- I strongly advise seeking out the counsel of a former military intelligence professional before wandering into a recruiting office. The military has a large need for fresh talent and dealing with a recruiter can be like wandering onto a car dealership.

Best regards,
William "Bill" Golden
CEO, IntelligenceCareers.com
wgolden@intelligencecareers.com

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Smart Careers for Interesting People
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