<p>What’s really not average about it is the extensive security clearance required. A kid with whom I am very close did something like this. It was a great learning experience, but the security procedures kept things up in the air for months and months, far longer than was comfortable, and required multiple (reimbursed) trips to “the Washington area”. Perversely, a great number of people wind up having to know you are applying for a clandestine job, so your friends and neighbors don’t slam the door in the face of FBI agents, or lie to them, or joke, when they come to call. And they DO come to call.</p>
<p>unique opportunity for the right people. Definitely not a career for everyone. But, a unique chance to be on the front lines collecting potentially valuable information to help the security of the United States. One that doesn’t come without significant risks [url=<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIA_Memorial_Wall]CIA”>CIA Memorial Wall - Wikipedia]CIA</a> Memorial Wall - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia<a href=“some%20still%20unnamed”>/url</a></p>
<p>In the DC area, you can’t really throw a baseball without hitting someone that has a high level security clearance. Having someone with a badge knock on your door to ask about a neighbor is not rare. I can see how this would be different in other parts of the country though. These people that lived a few houses down where I grew up traveled sometimes and I took care of their plants while they were gone. Years later, the husband shows up in the news as authoring the Inspector General report on GITMO.</p>
<p>if you (or your kids) are interested in these types of jobs, you should know that the deadlines are often in september/october for the following summer, to allow time for that extensive background investigation. And if you don’t get the clearance, you cannot start work.</p>