<p>OK. I'm planning on attending George Washington University.</p>
<p>Now a lot of variables here, but this is as if all goes to plan:</p>
<p>Undergraduate
Double Major in International Affairs and Middle Eastern Studies</p>
<p>Graduate School
Masters in Security Policy studies</p>
<p>I would get an internship around DC. Looking for a job at the Pentagon, CIA (the irony ;)) etc. </p>
<p>Does all of this seem feasible? Is it a good career path?</p>
<p>Bump. Come on please, parents. It's been 2 hours and I have 28 views.</p>
<p>It's not unlike the path my younger son is considering...and I think it's a good route. Do you know of any undergrad programs with an emphasis on security studies?</p>
<p>There are many different careers at both the Pentagon and the CIA, and what is covered under "etc." in your mind? DC is a big place with lots of opportunities. What do you actually want to do? (I don't want an answer to that question, but you should.)</p>
<p>I would suggest that you look at the websites of the agencies in which you are interested, and the website that covers most government jobs, USAJOBS</a> - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site, to look at the requirements and duties of different jobs. You might want to consider NSA, which is not in DC, but in Maryland, and the Department of State, which is in DC, too. (And State is very convenient to GW.)</p>
<p>Arabic is a hot skill right now; are you going to study it in conjunction with the degree in Middle East Studies?</p>
<p>I think your planned coursework will give you a skill set attractive to the CIA, NSA, DoD, etc. Representatives from those agencies often attend career fairs at DC, MD, and VA universities... it might be worth getting the reps advice early in your academic career.</p>
<p>I believe they also would be very interested in you learning languages they're interested in, like Arabic and/or Mandarin. You can contact them to see what they're looking for & see whether that matches what you're interested in.</p>
<p>Definitely talk to the employers and ask about requirements/career path (explain you are a student interested in the field--people are generally very helpful).</p>
<p>I didn't respond because it's fine, it's obvious that it's fine and you ought to know that it's fine. There are also lots of other combinations of majors that would be just dandy too. Really! Try to have a little fun in college too. It's not ALL about your future career - it's also about learning what interests you.</p>
<p>Does not sound like the other posters have any experience in government. I do, so let me comment:</p>
<ul>
<li>government careers are great in some ways, in that you have more job security, good medical and retirement benefits, and (at least in my experience) you will have very nice co-workers.</li>
</ul>
<p>The downside is that it is not a place for high achievers by and large, as their achievement is unlikely to be valued that much. </p>
<p>For example, it is not truly accidental that few Ivy league graduates work for the government. The government hiring process, unlike the private sector (and with a few notable exceptions that have been in the press recently) does not give "extra" points for having graduated from an elite university or even for having an exceptional GPA, although many jobs will have minimums.</p>
<p>As a result, to use one agency as an example, at FDA, you will find a lot of scientists that graduated from 3rd tier PhD programs with pretty mediocre records. Of course most of them do a fine job for what they are hired to do.</p>
<p>Many positions, instead, place a premium on certain skills. In fact, get used to the term Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) because your ability to get hired and promoted will depend on your ability to match your training and work experience to the KSAs written for a specific job. </p>
<p>There is far more to the picture than I can go into here. Your best bet is to find some of the specialist websites that cater to current and prospective federal employees. </p>
<p>FYI, DOD and security agency employment, especially for first timers without military background, is extraordinarily difficult due to security clearance issues. Don't even think about that route if you have the slightest blemish in your background beyond a speeding ticket. Even then, you could find the hiring process can take over a year for that first position.</p>
<p>CIA - do you want to be an operative?
You need to do a "boot camp" at Quantico and be in excellent physical condition and medically qualified.</p>
<p>DOD & security - military experience is a definite plus. Actually you get a boost for any federal gov't job if you are a veteran.</p>
<p>CIA--you'll also need excellent, uncorrected vision, I believe.</p>
<p>Btw, I've met a vareity of high achievers in the gov't--it's a very good route to get hands-on-experience/contacts then move into a huge $$ job in the private sector (private firms value those w/connections to the relevant regulatory/oversight agencies, etc.).</p>
<p>I have 20+ years of federal government experience and both of my parents were career civil servants. Upside to government work--benefits, relatively regular hours (in most jobs), job security (BIGGIE); downside--pay. I've met lots of Ivy/first-tier grads in the government. Also keep in mind that a ton of us baby boomers are planning to retire in the next decade or so and the government is worried (many say not worried enough) about how we'll be replaced. I think the job market for federal employment is going to stay strong relative to the rest of the economy.</p>
<p>I think your plan sounds awesome. Do keep in mind, though, that life can take you on tangents that often work out even better than the original plan. Keep yourself open to other opportunities that might present themselves.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Does not sound like the other posters have any experience in government.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Don't be too sure. And there are some parts of Government service that are stuffed with high achievers. (There are others that aren't.)</p>
<p>Actually, I think for many reasons, the federal government is increasingly attractive as an employer and has the pick of whom they want to hire, particularly for positions involving considerable responsibility. Their health, retirement, vacation & sick leave benefits are enviable. Hubby has been with the feds his whole life & has met up with many high achievers.</p>
<p>CIA, investigate CIA work while you are an undergrad. You may get hired immediately on graduation and then they may help you with your masters degree. As HImom said,
[quote]
health, retirement, vacation & sick leave benefits are enviable
[/quote]
Sadly you will never be able to tell us how this career plan worked out in the end - top secret!</p>
<p>p.s. Do not spend time in the Middle East on your own. If you go to the Middle East as part of a U.S. study group, that is fine, but don't go a month early, don't stay a month late. Spending time in the Middle East on your own could potentially make you ineligible for some jobs. During your security check, your (CIA, NSA) employer will be wondering hmm, what was he doing there? To whom was he talking, with whom was he interacting?</p>
<p>I agree with mathmom and would add: don't focus on one employer, but examine why you want to work there; you'll find that many jobs can fit the bill for you. </p>
<p>By the way, to work for the government, you'll need more patience than you have ("two hours and 28 views...").</p>
<p>Really. I'm not joking.</p>
<p>DH works for the federal gov't and has two Ivy degrees. As in any large organization, there are some who don't pull their weight, but many more who work long hours and make a real difference. We will never be rich, but he has a pension, excellent medical coverage and he loves his work. He gets to wear a number of hats and use a wide variety of skill sets. (He left a very good law firm to take this job, too.) He recently sought to hire an additional attorney and got over 900 resumes. </p>
<p>The hiring process is long and arduous, no doubt. Read the WaPo career chat columns -- everyone complains about the time it takes to navigate the fed hiring process, especially for those requiring clearances. Start talking to agencies while you're in college about what you need to do to prepare and take their recommendations seriously.</p>
<p>H here also has never had any shortage of applicants for the federal job openings here either. Wow, though, I'm impressed with >900 resumes for one attorney position! That's really impressive and tough odds.</p>
<p>H also loves his job & has developed many unique skill sets over the decades he's been with the federal government. He & many of his co-workers wear many hats. He has never wanted or sought another position or retirement. </p>
<p>I agree that the time to talk to agencies is now when you're in college, if you are interested in a possible federal government career.</p>
<p>Yes I think it will be good for You.</p>
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