The CIA recommends you learn a foreign language, so students majoring in French, German, Russian or Arabic already have a leg up on the competition. New hires who understand at least one foreign language are subject to a bonus up to $35,000. The agency instructs agents in 16 different foreign languages, so teaching positions are a possibility. Employees in the CIA’s Corporate Language Program receive language maintenance payments for keeping up their skills, language use payments and language achievement awards.
Operations officers in the CIA Clandestine Service spend 60 to 70 percent of their careers overseas, so they’ll need to know the customs and cultures of other countries. They’ll need to transition smoothly into life in a foreign land if they hope to secure information on topics such as terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and military and political issues. They’ll also need international relations skills to recruit help from the natives to achieve the agency’s goals. An international relations background can help agents be flexible in fast-moving, ambiguous and unstructured situations abroad.
Computer espionage is a rapidly expanding field, and the CIA needs people with backgrounds in mathematics, technology and engineering to keep a step ahead of cyber-terrorists. Even chemists and biologist have their place in the CIA, where they research potential chemical and biological threats. In August 2013, the CIA had a vacancy for a research scientist position to guide the agency on how to manage emerging technologies and how to start research and development programs. The agency also hires engineers in five fields: aerospace, chemical, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering.
Business majors can put their skills to work by managing CIA finances. In August 2013, the CIA had an opening for a finance resource officer to work in one of the following sub-specialties: accounts and liaison, central travel services, component budget and finance offices, compensation group, and contract audit and payment. The position paid $53,000 to $95,000 depending on experience. The agency also has positions in human resources, information technology and logistics management, so business majors with a variety of backgrounds can use their skills to start a career in the CIA.