Intelligence Analysis Summer Program for Undergraduates at the National Security Agency (NSA)

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Intelligence Analysis Summer Program

About the Program
NSA’s Intelligence Analysis Summer Program offers rising college seniors the opportunity to receive training in a multifaceted cryptologic discipline that involves research, analysis, and the presentation of findings that enable us to provide the fullest possible signals intelligence picture to U.S. policy makers, military commanders, and other intelligence community members.

NSA’s Intelligence Analysis Summer Program is an intensive 12-week program that runs from the end of May through mid-August for undergraduates entering the final year of an undergraduate degree program (juniors at the time of application).

Participants receive training in multiple cryptologic disciplines, including technical research and topical analysis. They research current foreign intelligence issues and present the results of their analysis. Their findings become part of NSA's effort to provide the fullest possible signals intelligence (SIGINT) picture to U.S. policy makers, military commanders and other intelligence community members.

The program consists of formal classroom instruction, workshops and agency facilities tours. Participants gain practical and theoretical knowledge of NSA, the SIGINT process, and the U.S. intelligence community. Classroom training is combined with mentoring by experienced NSA analysts to increase our insight into high priority intelligence targets.
Participants receive training in current analytic tools and tradecraft, conduct extensive independent research using numerous databases, prepare findings in a variety of formats and deliver a final project report to the sponsoring analytic organization.

Specific skills gained include:

Understanding modern digital communications
Analyzing network structure
Developing background on intelligence topics
Using advanced tools in multiple operating system environments
Advanced query techniques within extensive classified and unclassified databases
Understanding the structure and processes of NSA and the U.S. intelligence community
Conducting independent research and coordinating results with analysts in other disciplines across NSA’s intelligence production organizations
Preparing and presenting signals intelligence findings to help satisfy executive branch customer requirements

Application Deadline
Applications are accepted September 1st - November 15th each year.

Salary
Students are paid a competitive salary commensurate with their education level.

Benefits

Receive vacation time, sick leave and federal holidays
Participation in select agency-wide extracurricular programs
Those who attend schools in excess of 75 miles from Fort Meade, MD, are eligible for a round trip airline ticket to and from school or mileage reimbursement up to the cost of a government-issued airline ticket.

Qualifications

Required: U.S. citizenship
Required: Eligible to be granted a security clearance
Required: Full time undergraduate student entering the final year of an undergraduate degree program (juniors at the time of application)
Required: Applicant must be available for the entire length of the program
Desired: Students attending schools designated by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence as an Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence (IC CAE) in National Security Studies and designated as IC Scholars are particularly encouraged to apply. IC CAE schools are listed at the following link: http://www.dni.gov/cae/institutions.htm.
Desired: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Major studies areas of consideration:

International affairs
Intelligence/Security studies
Regional studies
Geography
Anthropology
Political Science (international topics)
Note: minors, certificate programs or multiple courses in computer science, networking or telecommunications areas are helpful but not required

How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online on or before November 15th. Applications received after the deadline and incomplete packets will not be considered.

To submit a resume online during an open season, click on any “Apply Online” link. Under “Basic Job Search,” type keywords “Intelligence Analysis Summer Program” and click on “Search.” Select “Intelligence Analysis Summer Program” and click “Apply Now.” Follow the directions as prompted.

To be considered for the Intelligence Analysis Summer Program, submit a complete application packet that includes:

A resume
Official transcripts*

IMPORTANT: When applying online, you can only submit your resume. Please send unofficial transcripts to ljmcwee@nsa.gov. Applications are not complete without a transcript.

*Grades must be submitted for all undergraduate courses already complete. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted for application purposes; official transcripts will be required prior to an official employment offer and should be mailed to:

National Security Agency
Office of Recruitment and Hiring
P.O. Box 1661
Attn: MB3 Summer, Suite 6779
Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755-6779

For additional information, please e-mail ljmcwee@nsa.gov or call 410-854-4726.