Application Recommendations

We recommend submitting your resume online in response to specific positions.

The Application Instructions link is found at the bottom of each position listed on the
careers pages.
If we contact you about a position, be prepared to undergo a thorough background
investigation examining your life's history, your character, trustworthiness, reliability and
soundness of judgment. We also examine your freedom from conflicting allegiances,
potential to be coerced, and willingness and ability to abide by regulations governing the
use, handling and the protection of sensitive information. The CIA uses the polygraph to
check the veracity of this information. The hiring process also includes a thorough mental
and physical medical examination in relation to performing essential job functions.
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Before You Apply

Please read the following sections carefully before you apply to the CIA. The information
is designed to help you determine your qualification for the CIA and to apply efficiently.
Drug Use
To be considered suitable for Agency employment, applicants must generally not have
used illegal drugs within the last 12 months. The issue of illegal drug use prior to 12
months ago is carefully evaluated during the medical and security processing.
Personal Integrity
A career in intelligence can be enormously rewarding. It also demands the very best of
the men and women who comprise the Agency's workforce. To meet the requirements of
the work itself, intelligence professionals must be highly competent in their fields. To
safeguard some of the nation's most sensitive information, CIA officers must be highly
reliable and trustworthy. Woven through all aspects of their performance is the imperative
to adhere to the highest standards of integrity. To be selected for a position of such trust
and responsibility, one must be granted a security clearance.
Many applicants wonder if they can pass such scrutiny. The Agency recognizes no one is
perfect. Agency security officials consider the nature, extent, seriousness, and recency of
past behavior. They weigh the potential risk and benefit of each individual - the whole
person - with utmost care. Although national security is always the paramount
consideration, our security experts work hard to ensure the Agency does not turn away
unnecessarily someone who could make important contributions to the nation's
intelligence effort.

The Clearance Process

The clearance process, which is strictly governed by rules and regulations derived from
Federal statute and executive orders, begins when you accept a conditional offer of
employment from the Agency. It involves a thorough examination of your life history and
fitness to safeguard the nation's secrets. Think of this process as the first step in building
a bridge of trust between you and the Agency. Candor is an essential ingredient in the
establishment of that trust.
The investigation addresses comprehensively one's loyalty to the United States, strength
of character, trustworthiness, honesty, reliability, discretion, and soundness of judgment.
In addition, it examines one's freedom from conflicting allegiances, potential for
coercion, and willingness and ability to abide by regulations governing the use, handling
and protection of sensitive information.
The Agency uses a polygraph to check the veracity of information that bears upon the
areas listed above. CIA's polygraph examiners are highly trained security professionals,
among the world's best in their field. They work closely and carefully with applicants to
ensure that the information upon which clearance decisions are based is as accurate as it
can be and is guarded with the strictest confidence.
The clearance process can be lengthy. Since the Agency actively recruits people who
have expert knowledge of foreign languages and cultures, it is not unusual for our
applicants to have numerous foreign contacts. In these cases the investigation must cover
more ground, which usually takes more time. Candor is critical to the timely completion
of this process.
The hiring process also entails a thorough medical examination of one's mental and
physical fitness to perform essential job functions.
You Should Also Note
Your responsibility to adhere to high standards of personal conduct does not end on the
first day of employment. CIA employees undergo regular reinvestigations, including
periodic polygraph examinations. CIA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Agency
does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability,
age, or sexual orientation in granting, denying, or revoking security clearances.
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equirements
Student opportunities are highly competitive. You are expected to meet the same
employment standards as permanent employees. Applicants must be US citizens and
should have a strong academic record (3.0 GPA or better). Foreign language skills,
previous international residency and military experience are pluses. Outstanding

interpersonal skills, the ability to write clearly and accurately, and a strong interest in
foreign affairs are necessary. As part of the hiring process, you must successfully
complete medical and polygraph examinations as well as a background investigation.
Student positions offer salaries competitive with the private sector and the same benefits
as permanent employees. Students in agency-sponsored programs are also eligible to
apply for a one-time tuition assistance award for the last year of study if a job offer has
been extended and a minimum GPA is maintained.
All student assignments are located in the Washington, D.C. area. The CIA cannot
provide students with housing, however, services are provided that will assist you in
identifying affordable, temporary and convenient accommodations.
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Overview of Student Opportunities

Undergraduate Scholarship Program
If you are a high school senior planning to enroll in a 4- or 5-year college program, or
you are a college freshman or sophomore enrolled in a 4- or 5-year college program,
who is looking for career experience in a dynamic environment, apply to the CIA's
Undergraduate Scholar Program. The application period is August 1 - October 15. To
apply for this position visit the Undergraduate Scholarship Program page.
The Undergraduate Scholar Program was developed, in part, to assist minority and
disabled students, but application is open to all students who meet the requirements. The
program offers unmatched experience. You'll complete work sessions during each
summer break, increasing your knowledge and job responsibilities while assisting
intelligence professionals and applying your academic skills.
We believe in challenging our Scholars with meaningful work that relates to their college
major. An IT major, for example, might be given increasingly complex projects involving
sophisticated computer systems. An engineering major might help produce a piece of
state-of-the-art equipment. A finance major could be involved in developing and
analyzing budgets for a worldwide operation. A foreign language major might be
instrumental in translating documents for US policymakers. As a final example, a human
resource major could have the opportunity to develop and implement personnel policies
and procedures.
Once selected, you will be given an annual salary; an optional benefits package that
includes health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, and retirement; and up to
$18,000 per calendar year for tuition, mandatory fees, books, and supplies. You'll be
required to work at an Agency facility in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area during

summer breaks and to maintain full-time college status during the school year with a
minimum cumulative 3.0/4.0 GPA. We will pay the cost of transportation between school
and the Washington, D.C. area each summer and provide a housing allowance.
Because the Scholar Program is an investment in you, accepting an offer means making a
career choice. We ask that you agree to continue employment with the Agency after
college graduation for a period equal to 1.5 times the length of your college sponsorship.
The Scholar Program is extremely competitive. We ask that all applicants meet the
following requirements:

US citizenship
18 years of age by April 1of your senior year
1500 SAT (1000 Math & Critical Reading, 500 Writing) or 21 ACT scores or
higher (high school students)
3.0/4.0 scale high school or college GPA or higher
Financial need as demonstrated by the household income ceiling up to $70,000
for a family of four, and $80,000 for a family of five or more
Meet the same employment standards as permanent employees, successfully
completing both security and medical processing
Available to work in the Washington, DC area during your periods of employment

If you are eligible for this Program, apply online between August 1 - October 15.
Qualified applicants will be contacted and asked to provide the following information to
supplement their online application:

SAT or ACT scores (For high school seniors who are taking the SAT or ACT in
the fall, please make note of your test date in the application package. All fall test
scores must be sent (postmarked) no later than January 15.)
Names and ages of all family dependents and your gross family income for
current and previous years
A copy of your most current Federal Application for Financial Student Aid Form
(FAFSA) or SAR must be submitted upon request.
A copy of your school transcripts
Two letters of recommendation

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Undergraduate Co-Op Program

Our cooperative education program began in 1961 to provide undergraduate students with
the opportunity to gain work experience in combination with their academic studies.

Over the years, the Co-Op Program has provided benefits, both short- and long-term, to
students as well as the Agency. You will be given the opportunity to participate in the
vital work of the Agency, to gain unmatched experience and to become acquainted with
professionals in the intelligence field. At the same time, the Agency will be able to assess
your potential for future permanent employment.
We seek highly motivated undergraduates studying a wide variety of fields, including
engineering, computer science, mathematics, economics, physical sciences, foreign
languages, area studies, business administration, accounting, international relations,
finance, logistics, human resources, geography, national security studies, military and
foreign affairs, political science and graphic design.
Co-Op Students are often selected from academic institutions with established
cooperative education programs, though not exclusively. You will work on an alternating
semester or quarterly basis and are expected to spend a minimum of three semesters or
four quarters (this can include a summer tour) on the job prior to graduation. You'll be
provided with increasingly challenging assignments that are commensurate with your
academic training and ability to assume additional responsibility.
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Undergraduate Internship Program

Interested in foreign affairs? Looking for a career where you can make a difference? We
invite you to participate in our Undergraduate Internship Program. This unique program
is designed to give promising undergraduate students, particularly minorities and people
with disabilities, the opportunity to gain practical work experience that complements their
academic studies.
You will be given the opportunity to work with highly-skilled professionals and see firsthand the role the CIA plays in supporting US officials who make our country's foreign
policy. We are interested in students majoring in engineering, computer science,
mathematics, economics, physical sciences, foreign languages, area studies, business
administration, accounting, international relations, finance, logistics, human resources,
geography, national security studies, military and foreign affairs, political science and
graphic design.
Interns are required to work either a combination of one semester and one summer
internship, or two 90-day summer internships.
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Graduate Studies Program

Our Graduate Studies Program looks for bright graduate students who are focusing on
international affairs, languages, economics, geography, cartography, physical sciences
and engineering. Other majors may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Students
selected for this program should be entering either their first or second year of graduate
studies following this assignment.
You will become acquainted with the work of professional intelligence analysts through
active participation in Agency projects with the potential to have selected pieces of your
work disseminated throughout the Intelligence Community. The program allows the
Agency to assess your skills and knowledge as they relate to permanent employment
opportunities.
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Application Information/Application Deadlines

Students are eligible for the range of employee benefits including health and life
insurance, retirement investment options, paid Federal holidays, annual and sick leave,
and possible tuition assistance. The CIA will pay the cost of transportation between
school and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
We encourage you to discuss CIA opportunities with your on-campus career advisor or
internship/co-op program coordinator and to check your school's schedule for recruiting
events. To apply for participation in a student program, you must be at least a college
sophomore*.
Applications for Summer 2011 employment will be accepted until 15 October, 2010.
Applications for winter, spring, and fall employment should be sent nine to twelve
months before the desired start date. The application period for the Undergraduate
Scholarship Program* is August 1 - October 15. National Clandestine Service
Internship applications for Summer 2011 employment will be accepted until 15
October 2010. Applications received after that time will be considered for
internships starting in Summer 2012.
To apply online for a specific student position please visit the "Student
Opportunities" or "Internship" links on the following pages: Analytical,
Clandestine Service, Language, Science, Engineering & Technology, or Support &
Professional.
To be considered suitable for Agency employment, applicants must generally not have
used illegal drugs within the last 12 months. The issue of illegal drug use prior to 12
months ago is carefully evaluated during the medical and security processing.

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Ongoing Opportunities
Being a participant in the CIA's student programs may be the key to your future. These
programs prepare new graduates for careers at the CIA. Based on the CIA's needs, and
your performance during your co-op or internship, a job offer may be extended to you
upon graduation.
CIA also partners with a number of diversity-focused organizations to give all students an
opportunity to contribute to our national security. These organizations include InRoads,
the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), the Thurgood Marshall
College Fund (TMCF), the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
and the Washington Internship for Native Students (WINS). For more information, please
contact each organization directly.
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