<p>I'm a freshman in college now and am looking for internshisp for the summer. I see that most government agencies like the CIA and NSA either only recruit college grads for internships or have already passed the application date (NSA's app date is november for this summer!?) Anyone have any tips at places to look at? I'm also interested in an internship abroad any intl organizations offer spots? or is it possible to intern at a us embassy?</p>
<p>All the intelligence agencies, as well as the State Department, do have internship programs, but the deadlines for them are early in the fall. This is because all the intelligence agencies require that their interns have Top Secret clearances, which take at least 9 months to acquire. So, your chances in the government for THIS summer are pretty much zero. My advice would be to look outside the government; there are many intelligence contractors that do the same sort of work as the agencies themselves and would offer a good experience. Many of them do work with Open Source intelligence, which is by definition open to the public, and thus won't require clearances. If you do that this summer, you would be well positioned to apply for the government next fall. Don't feel too bad--the CIA and State Dept. internships are insanely competitive, as a freshman with no experience you likely wouldn't have had a shot anyways.</p>
<p>It's very possible to intern at a US embassy. Dep't of State applications are due Nov 1. Generally if you're a sophomore you can get a small country pretty easily (I know a Spanish major sophomore who interned in Paraguay, for example).</p>
<p>If you want to go for a larger more important embassy (UK, France, Japan, China, etc) it gets more competitive. I applied for Italy, submitted my app on time and they still haven't gotten back to me. I think I was a very strong applicant, especially since I have language ability, but you never know who else is out there. Apparently there's a lot of frustration with the process, especially the security background check.</p>
<p>Another good place for intelligence experience is the Office of Naval intelligence. They, too, are due Nov. 1. They pay though - I definitely would recommend checking them out.</p>
<p>seeing that ive missed the deadline for this year with the government agencies will it be considered a big deal if I don't have a related internship after freshman year? I could easily get one at a local botique accounting or law firm. Would that look good just to have something to start with?</p>
<p>It would be better than nothing but, believe me, you would be much better served by working somewhere in DC this summer on foreign affairs-related issues.</p>
<p>that makes sense. im having trouble finding names/info on these intelligence contractor firms do you know where i could obtaint hat information?</p>