What should I tell friends and family?

[thisisnotmyname]

So, I may have found my calling in life.  I recently discovered the world of intelligence analysis and I enjoy it so much it's kind of intoxicating.

But there's a major hitch...

What am I supposed to tell my friends and family?

I'm still a student with at least three more years of studies before realistically applying to the CIA.  It seems reasonable to believe that the less people know about my studies and career goals the better.

I understand that once I actually apply to an Agency they will assist and inform me in this.  But what am I supposed to do with the next three years?

I can't sit around Starbucks reading Silent Warfare and practicing Farsi can I?

I also can't suddenly switch my college major to Intelligence Studies without making everyone suspicious.

Could someone please advise me on this?  Thanks!

[smfischer4]

I believe this is one of the hardest things about working for intelligence organizations, especially the CIA.  You can not discuss work related material outside of work let alone get public recognition.  

Although you might get some raised eye brows from family members when you switch your major, you could generally describe the field you are going into rather than mentioning the Agency by name.  This is definitely a better way to go than trying to keep everything a secret while friends and family get curious.

[George W. Maschke]

So, I may have found my calling in life.  I recently discovered the world of intelligence analysis and I enjoy it so much it's kind of intoxicating.

But there's a major hitch...

What am I supposed to tell my friends and family?

I'm still a student with at least three more years of studies before realistically applying to the CIA.  It seems reasonable to believe that the less people know about my studies and career goals the better.

I understand that once I actually apply to an Agency they will assist and inform me in this.  But what am I supposed to do with the next three years?

I can't sit around Starbucks reading Silent Warfare and practicing Farsi can I?

I also can't suddenly switch my college major to Intelligence Studies without making everyone suspicious.

Could someone please advise me on this?  Thanks!

My first advice would be do not switch your major to intelligence studies. If your college has such a program, as I infer it must, you might wish to minor in it, but don't major in it unless you're doing a double major in something else with broader applications.

It is foolhardy to plan your life around the assumption that you will have a career in the intelligence field. Consider that the CIA has a polygraph failure rate on the order of 50%. Given the fact that polygraphy has no scientific basis, it's clear that many of those who fail the polygraph and are disqualified are being falsely accused.

You should also consider how intimate a relationship you are willing to have with your government. CIA applicants and employees may be interrogated about the most intimate details of their personal lives. See The Lie Behind the Lie Detector for details.

If you choose to learn Persian (Farsi), I suggest that you do so only if you have a genuine, personal interest in the language, culture, and history of the Persian-speaking peoples. Not because you think it's what the CIA is looking for at the moment. Much can change between now and your graduation three years hence.

[thisisnotmyname]

Thanks for the warnings.  I understand your strong feelings about the poly and such.  I'm going in with the assumption that I will certainly be interrogated on those intimate details.  I also think that I will have plenty of other options available if the CIA doesn't pass me.

I am very interested in Persian culture/history/politics regardless.

The current atmosphere in the US is such that studying Iran for any reason other than human rights issues or humanities will land me on someone's POI list, so I might as well aim to work for them right off the bat and avoid confusion.

There are plenty of policy research groups and NGO's involved in the same field if the gov route fails.  But I would rather stay out of overt political activity.

I just want to generate info - what the consumers decide to do with it is their damn problem.  At least I get to tell the truth.

[Twoblock]

thisisnotmyname

George gave you good advice. You would do well to listen. Build your major for employment in another field. You have a 50/50 chance of passing national security polygraphs even if you tell the truth. If you fail the poly your chances of ever obtaining a security clearence is nil to nothing. DO NOT let a polygrapher destroy your chances of success.