Arabic-L:GEN:U.S. Government Career Guidance

[Dilworth B. Parkinson]

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Arabic-L: Wed 26 Sep 2001
Moderator: Dilworth Parkinson <dilworth_parkinson at byu.edu>
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1) Subject: U.S. Government Career Guidance

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1)
Date:  26 Sep 2001
From: Mutarjm at aol.com
Subject: U.S. Government Career Guidance

Greetings / tahaiya tayyiba wa b3ad....

Two career paths seem to be most prevalent among the various USG agencies in
the national "intelligence community" (aka IC) for applicants with language
skills (Arabic, in your case)

o  Language specialist -  full-time or contract

Duties involve:

     - interpreter for interviews, debriefings and bilateral meetings

and/or

     -- document translator / transcriber & translator of audiotapes in the
criterion language

o  Analyst with a background in languages and area studies that includes
Arabic

Bad news:  While language skill in the Arabic is handy to have, the typical
analyst's workload (paperwork and deadline for reports production, etc.) can
gradually distract you from using or sustaining that language skill.

Good news: Most IC agencies recognize that effect and provide their analysts
with periodic refresher / sustainment training as part of their career
development plans.)

Hard to advise further without more details about your overall academic
major, experience and interests.

Best places to check for openings are the agencies' web sites, especially
those for NSA, FBI, DIA and CIA.  Web searches will yield those sites and
links to their respective employment pages.

The processing by each agency of an applicant for personnel security
clearance can take considerable time (Average is about one year, IIRC), so
don't give up your day job or seeking employment elsewhere.

Depending on your degree and interests, you might also consider corporations
with overseas business interests in Arabic-speaking marketplaces.

HTH. Khair, in sha' Allah.

Regards from Los Angeles,

Stephen H. Franke

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End of Arabic-L:  26 Sep 2001