<p>I'm currently an undergraduate student at UCF pursuing a double major in International/Global Studies and Political Science (International Relations track). I'm about 20 credits away from graduating, however, I recently joined Air Force ROTC. In order to complete the ROTC program, you have to have at least 3 years remaining (as it takes 3 years minimum to complete the ROTC courses). So, I need to add another major or minor to my plan of study in order to stretch out my length (ROTC also requires you to be a full time student every semester).
Now, I am planning on commissioning as an officer in the Air Force upon graduation. Hopefully I'll be given an intelligence career slot, as that will be my number one preference.
After serving my time, I want to apply for a job with some of the intelligence agencies (FBI, CIA, NSA, DIA, NGA, NRO, etc.). Now... here's my question:</p>
<p>What would give me a better chance/look better? Pursuing a minor in Computer Science OR triple-majoring in Psychology (I already meet the requirements for a minor in Psych, so it would take me approximately the same amount of credits to complete the third major as it would the Computer Science minor). I figure Comp. Sci would be more applicable to, and preferred by, the intel agencies, as well as give me another set of skills. Psych could also be applicable, but perhaps not as much. Although, I hear employers don't really care much about applicants' minors.. so maybe three majors would have greater weight?</p>
<p>Can anyone help me out here? Please. I have to register for classes... like yesterday!</p>
<p>if you aren’t going to work in a psychology related field, the major won’t do you any good.</p>
<p>and obviously, there are a million different jobs in the intel community. Analysts need to think clearly, write well, process lots of information, explain complex information simply, etc. Language skills would likely be beneficial</p>
<p>My International/Global Studies major requires 4 semesters of a college-level foreign language as a requirement for graduation. Which takes through the intermediate level.
I originally chose German, completed 1 semester, and spent the summer in Germany. So, I’m so-so in the language now, and plan to continue with it. However, my university recently cut our German program so I have to switch languages. I’m thinking Russian. Would Arabic, Hebrew, French, or Portuguese be more beneficial?
Also, will intermediate be good enough? Or complete fluency?</p>
<p>Sorry for all the questions, I just have to figure things out (major/minor/language-wise) over this winter break.</p>
<p>German will be essentially useless. Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, Dari, and related languages are extremely valuable. Intermediate is good enough if you’re going to barely use your language, but if you want to be a language analyst, you have to be completely fluent, preferably with experience in that country. </p>
<p>CS over psychology</p>
<p>You’re going to need to set yourself apart, as candidates with language skills and a poli sci degree are a dime a dozen</p>
<p>I can’t find the official list of “critical languages” but these are the place to start: Farsi, Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Mandarian, Hindi, Urdu, Japanese, Dari, Russian, Somali, and probably Korean.</p>
<p>Any second language is better than none. Some languages are just a lot easier to find. The IC offers pay bonuses for people that speak certain languages at certain levels (I think the rule might be 2/2/2).</p>
<p>Also, I would think that 4 semesters in college = 4 years in high school, which I guess is “intermediate” but still leaves a lot to be desired for general usage.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you do go into the intelligence field in the Air Force, that’ll be huge for you when you try to come back as a civilian. Even if you don’t do intel, military experience gives you a big leg up over other applicants.</p></li>
<li><p>CS is a good choice for a secondary skillset, not just for intelligence but for life.</p></li>
<li><p>Whether or not language will be useful depends on what level of fluency you achieve and which agency/career you are pursuing. I speak Arabic and I can tell you that 4 semesters of Arabic is not nearly enough to become useful to anyone, and I wouldn’t expect it to be your prime selling point, but of course some language is better than no language. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>As for which languages, the lists above are good. If you’re only picking a language to satisfy requirements and get into the IC, go for the more obscure of those lists like Pashto because fewer schools offer it.</p>