CIA campus visit provides students with career information

MSU hosted representatives from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Directorate of Operations last week for a series of on-campus information sessions.

The event, presented through Career, Internship and Student Employment Services at the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success, was designed to give MSU students access to information about internship and career pathways within the agency and to provide opportunities for direct interaction with CIA employees, according to its website.

The multi-day visit included open information sessions, simulation activities and classroom conversations. MSU also helped set up individual meetings between students and agency officers.

The information sessions were open to all students and covered the functions of the CIA Directorate of Operations and explained the roles students from different academic backgrounds may pursue.

Agency representatives discussed the basic structure of intelligence work, including information gathering, analysis and communication across the federal system. Students were informed that relevant fields may include political science, international relations, psychology, business, computer science, engineering and data studies.

MSU also offered individual 25-minute coffee chat meetings between students and CIA representatives. These meetings were designed to give students time to ask specific questions related to their academic background, personal interests or long-term career planning.

Mike Becker, interim vice president of University Communications, said the event was intended to allow students to ask questions about eligibility, application procedures, the security clearance process and possible long-term career development.

“The event was a chance for students to learn about internship opportunities with the CIA Directorate of Operations,” he said.

According to Becker, MSU frequently hosts presentations from organizations connected to professional and public sector career opportunities.

“The University regularly welcomes presentations about internships and career opportunities from government agencies, including federal departments such as energy, agriculture, defense and more,” Becker said.

He said he hopes students leave with a clearer understanding of how their academic plans may relate to national service opportunities.

“With any presentation like this, the hope is to show MSU students career and internship opportunities that could match up with their interests and areas of study,” Becker said. “Internships, in particular, provide experience and connections that help students find fulfilling, good-paying jobs after graduation.”

MSU Career Services staff members said the University intends to continue offering similar informational programming from government and public sector organizations.

MSU Career Services noted that future events will include representatives from additional agencies or federally affiliated organizations based on student demand and program availability.

MSU Career Services plans to host more events on campus in the future, according to MSU’s Director of Career Services Elizabeth Feary.

“November is National Career Development Month, so we have been hosting multiple student-facing events. The events provide opportunities for networking, recruitment and professional development for prospective teachers and education professionals,” she said.

For more information about future Career Services events, visit https://www.montana.edu/aycss/careers/events/info-sessions.html#.