

There are five categories of internships and co-ops to which you can apply depending on your skill and interest: analysis, clandestine, STEM, enterprise and support and foreign language. These are paid internships that give college students an excellent opportunity to gain experience in and appreciation for national service. The CIA does offer undergraduate internships and co-ops. A number of CIA agents work abroad, so it helps if you are used to adapting to a foreign culture. Any experience you have living and working in a foreign country is also useful. Since the CIA is concerned with national security, any experience you have with security services or national service is valuable. While not required, it helps if you have experience in the military, security or law enforcement. Foreign language fluency is also critical if you are working in clandestine services posing as a foreign national. Agents fluent in one or more foreign languages can also help translate foreign documents, newspapers and other communication and media that might be relevant to an investigation. Middle Eastern and Asian languages such as Arabic, Korean, Russian and Japanese are particularly useful due to the intelligence work being conducted in these areas. Become fluent in one or two foreign languagesĬIA agent positions that work in a foreign country may require you to be fluent in more than one language. Related: Master's Degree: Definition, Elements and Benefits 3. Earning a master's degree in a specialized field related to security, technology, foreign affairs or others can also provide you a stronger foundation and refined skills for your role. You may also find your salary and opportunities increase with the amount of education you have. The CIA does not require you to have a master's degree, but the higher your education, the better chance you have of being employed. The CIA normally requires applicants for an agent position to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited institution. However, a degree in computer science or other fields may be beneficial depending on where within the CIA you want to work. Earn a bachelor's degreeĪ degree in law enforcement, criminal justice or a related field serves as good preparation for a career as a CIA agent.

If you are interested in a career as a CIA agent, here are some steps you need to follow: 1. These professionals are often required to have certain levels of education, complete specialized training and pass various tests to secure employment. Your actual salary will depend upon your skills, experience and which branch of the CIA you enter and the position you hold. The average salary for a CIA agent is $81,207 per year. Related: A Guide to Civil Service Jobs The average salary of a CIA agent Researching and developing technologies for gathering informationĬooperating with other agencies to help investigate international crime and terrorism Writing reports to relevant government authorities based on data gathered Reviewing foreign newspapers, magazines and other media sources for information related to potential intelligenceĮxamining satellite imagery to monitor potentially threatening activityĭeciphering coded messages from other countries looking for sensitive informationĭetermining the credibility of any information obtained from a foreign source Gathering and analyzing data that could be important to national security Your duties as a CIA agent will vary depending on your specific role, but they might include: Some CIA agents work overseas to gather information on foreign intelligence but most work in the U.S. What does a CIA agent do?Ī CIA agent is a federal employee who collects and evaluates intelligence information as it pertains to national security.
#Being a spy agent how to
In this article, we examine what CIA agents do, how much they are paid and how to become a CIA agent.


You can also play an important role in the security and protection of the country and its citizens. Roles within the CIA offer many opportunities to develop your skills and grow in your career. federal agencies, with many different branches employing a variety of skill sets. The Central Intelligence Agency is one of the largest U.S.
