<p>I see from various websites that the CIA is a big employer of University of Maryland grads. Besides proximity can anyone tell me why? Thanks.</p>
<p>They have a strong govt program. Also, since they are close to the CIA in proximity kids can intern there. Like any other company, interning is one step into getting in after graduation. They can chose an intern who they know or a stranger who has never worked for them.</p>
<p>i agree that it helps with the internships, and GVPT, but also, we have the number one criminology program in the nation. We actually have the highest number of graduates to the FBI and CIA over any other school in the country.</p>
<p>Really! A good friend of ours is interested in working for the CIA one day. He’s hoping for admission to the Naval Academy, then on to become a Marine.</p>
<p>However, he is applying to UVA, as well as other universities.</p>
<p>What majors lead to internships at the CIA?</p>
<p>In addition to the normal kinds of majors (criminology, computer science, languages…like arabic, etc.), I think they would also consider people from other majors who have an impressive collegiate resume (i.e. stellar grades, recommendations, etc.) They would need people with all kinds of skills.</p>
<p>My cousin is very high up with the CIA (equivalent to a 4 star general)…they do look for all types of majors, but their main thrust are the ones mentioned, plus pre-law.</p>
<p>If you do Army ROTC, major in relevant field, and serve ~6 years or so, is there a path to FBI or CIA after that? My S2 is interested in this type of a path. </p>
<p>Does he need a graduate degree in between the time he serves actively and before he can join CIA or FBI?</p>
<p>Okay, the first thing is that the CIA would rather a military member with a grad degree, than anybody else from a grad school. All things equal regarding degrees.</p>
<p>Here is the reason:</p>
<ol>
<li> Military members have a “security clearance”, this is a very long procedure and expensive. The clearance takes 6 mos, and costs thousands of dollars (close to 10K+). As a military member, they go through it every 5 yrs. This not only save them money, but the applicant has a security clearance which means the job is filled faster.</li>
</ol>
<p>Your DS would have his security clearance before commissioning, he can do his 5 and dive.</p>
<ol>
<li>I know you are aware of this from another thread, but I will reiterate for UMD applicants because ROTC is a great route. When DS grads, he will be commissioned as a 2nd Lt. as soon as he hits his 1st operational base, have him enroll on base for grad school. The Army will pay 75% (Navy and AF have this too), he will have to owe 3 yrs, but it is concurrent, in other words, if he grads with his MBA in 2 yrs, he owes no additional time since he owed 5 to start with.</li>
</ol>
<p>If his true goal is CIA/FBI, I would also tell him to look into the Army for something like Intel as his career field. He should also think about Homeland, because they are becoming the Jack Bauer/24 type of agency.</p>
<p>I think UMDCP is a great place if he can get into LEP. There are many internships, and it is a requirement. DS will be interning in Jan on the hill for an MOC. The Army det is a great det on campus. If you have never been to the campus, it is one that I suggest to visit. It is a large campus, but has a tight knit feel. I can’t speak for the Army, but will say posters here who have Navy and AF speak highly of their programs.</p>
<p>UMDCP is a metro stop from DC and in the heart of the political arena. DS’s roommate did an internship freshman yr with his state senator on the hill, came home (he was OOS) and got a summer job with that same Senator in their state office. Not bad resume building.</p>
<p>Remember your DS is not committed to the military until he signs, which is typically the soph yr. He can always change his mind.</p>
<p>If you want to really see how great the internships are ask astro. Her DD is not military, but she is someone that can attest how UMD and the right major opens big doors!</p>