adil91

How big of a boost would being fluernt in farsi and urdu be when applying to analyst jobs in the CIA?

Publius224

I personally think that would be a huge boost. Every intelligence agency that I have looked at highly recommends language proficiency, especially in a critical language like Arabic, Urdu, Farsi…etc.

Keep in mind you have to acquire security clearance and pass all the other background checks to get employment but language knowledge is a boost in your resume hands down

adil91

Cool, I have a squeaky clean background, would it be a problem that some of my relatives reside in a country of great importance to US Security?

RacinReaver

If you visit them it might throw up some flags.

adil91

I havent in 4 years and intend to never go again.

Geil!

Speaking any Middle Eastern language will land you as an analyst within the CIA or other federal intelligence services as of right now since most contentions towards the United States happen to be in the Middle East.

Publius224

If your immediate parents are US citizens that you should not have any trouble. I personally know of a woman who was turned down by the DIA because her parents were not US citizens. So if your mom, dad or siblings and any other close relatives of yours are citizens then you are a prime candidate.

adil91

All my immediate family members are US citizens.

Do you know what educational background it would take to get a job in the CIA? I'm thinking bachelors in International Relations+ Middle Eastern and South Asian studies+ a minor in comp sci+ Masters from a top 10 international relations graduate program

Publius224

It just depends on what field you want to go into. Engineering ofcourse you will need an engineering degree. There are a plethora of fields in the CIA ranging from lawyers, accountants, security guards...etc. It just depends on what you want.

I am sure that analysts have advanged degrees in whatever their specialty is. If you want to focus on the Middle East, I'm assuming that a degree that concentrates on that is a plus. I think, though, that it is more skill set. If you have good writing, analytical, language and personal skills these all help in the application process.

Ruby_x3

I don't think asking about the CIA on the internet is a wise choice for potential CIA applicants as you never know what they do in their rigorous background checks and they emphasise secrecy of their applicants but anyways. They want people from every discipline and field but since they're heavily focused on China and the Middle East, profiency in those language and knowledge of that area is highly desirable.