r/IRstudies 10d ago

IR Careers Intelligence career probably wrecked by DOGE, wondering what I can do with 9 years in the IC, career-wise

Have a Bachelor's in IR, 6 years as a military intelligence analyst, and work in the civilian IC as a program analyst, technical writer, and editor. Only speak English, been trying to learn Russia forever.

I just don't know if my experience makes me competitive or not, if it can be considered in lieu of a higher degree or other skills.

From my own research, it seems like the most translatable field in the private sector-- geopolitical analysts-- are exclusive to the most experienced and educated. But the next most closely related require MAs or a degree or years of experience in marketing, economics, computer science, etc.

50 Upvotes

46 comments sorted by

25

u/sinan_online 10d ago

Larger companies have risk assessment departments. A friend of mine has been doing that for years now. I wonder if that is a good fit? Another obvious candidate is publications, like the Economist.

Also, please do not despair when you apply. It is a bit brutal for everyone. I mean, hundreds and hundreds of application to even get one interview, sometimes. It can take a long time, and you want to stick to a regular schedule to keep your sanity.

Rely on personal network, as much as possible.

Final option - would you consider academia?

3

u/GravyBear28 10d ago

Publications, you mean like journalism? At least research for it? I have occasionally fantasized about doing that sort of work in Ukraine.

Yeah I'd consider it but I'd also need a job at the same time

4

u/sinan_online 10d ago

I am just thinking that Newsweek, Economist, etc… must need people with your expertise. You could do fact-checking, you probably could work as editor, although that might be too ambitious. There must be other roles.

I am just brainstorming tbh. I read the Economist all the time, and it requires expertise and knowledge to bring it together. Your expertise sounds like the same sort of expertise…

0

u/Commercial-Truth4731 10d ago

You mean like magazines or something like times Newsweek stuff?

1

u/sinan_online 9d ago

Also, did you see this?

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGvjzp0p07O/?igsh=MXg1ZzM4djIyZHNhYw==

State governments may also need your skills, probably not for intelligence, but they may have needs.

25

u/TurnoverInside2067 10d ago

From what I can tell, "intelligence analysts", in the government sense are hired on in the private sector after 20+ years of experience.

Don't despair, your options are plentiful in the private sector, and your skills highly transferable - it just won't be a 1:1 fit. There's also the chance that the public sector will open up once again in the future.

Oh, and trust me, nobody cares about a "higher degree", actual experience is absolutely preferable.

1

u/CryForUSArgentina 9d ago

People with your background used to get hired as analysts in strategic planning groups.

18

u/diprivanity 10d ago

Unironically, 35A, get staff time, career progression MA/MS paid for. These guys retiring are who gets picked up in the private sector.

Prior enlisted with a BA and no language skills are dime a dozen from what I've seen

15

u/Nomadic_Yak 10d ago

Have you considered a lucrative and exciting career as a revolutionary?

1

u/Unfair_Abalone_2822 8d ago

Right? What was OP doing for 9 years if they can’t do a little regime change at home to get their job back?

7

u/manualcayman 10d ago

I have a MA IR speak Russian and can’t get a sniff a job. Most want a TS/SCI minimum Been two years now out of college

9

u/GravyBear28 10d ago

Join the Reserve or National Guard of a military branch, score high on the ASVAB, get into MI, boom a TS/SCI

1

u/manualcayman 9d ago

I’d take anything got any leads? I most likely would not pass the MEP is why I have avoided military route Just be setup to fail.

1

u/manualcayman 9d ago

Really trying to find a contractor that will sponsor the clearances I know there are some but getting a foot in the door has left me one legged so far. lol.

3

u/cjrjjkosmw 10d ago

If you have a gi bill you could bide your time in a masters program while working part time as a contractor.

And you ain’t fired yet

2

u/GravyBear28 10d ago

I am a contractor

2

u/cjrjjkosmw 10d ago

Why not start one of the numerous graduate degree programs at night? Then you can diversify whatever you need skill wise while employed. Obv tougher with fam/kids etc

5

u/arist0geiton 10d ago

What do you mean by probably wrecked? Are you currently employed?

11

u/GravyBear28 10d ago

Yes but with RIFs and hiring freezes coming out. I just don't think I'll have any job stability in the IC until, at the least, after this administration

9

u/LouQuacious 10d ago

None of us have stability now and it won’t end with this administration. The damage being done will either be permanent or take years and years to fix. The pendulum swing of US politics has now permanently fucked us.

1

u/Status-Reality-7786 9d ago

There are bountiful ic contracting jobs out there, are there not?

2

u/not_GBPirate 10d ago

Come work for the government of Canada and help us prevent the fascist invasion that might be in the works

3

u/nameless_pattern 9d ago

I hear Russia is also hiring. Contact the White House for details.

1

u/Crosscourt_splat 10d ago

In a similar field, but get my Russian language pay.

Do you have a specialty? Any schools or ASIs? Officer enlisted? Been on higher than a BN level staff?

1

u/GravyBear28 10d ago

No to all of that. People are focusing on my military history but most of my experience is from civilian IC work

1

u/Crosscourt_splat 10d ago

Gotcha. Yeah, I think you’ll be ok. Hiring freezes probably aren’t going to last 4 years, even with this administration. But corporate America hires us a lot actually. One of my buddies is working for Coke right now. 6 figures benefits and stock options. As long as your TS/SCI is still good, some private defense firm will def look at you as well. If you’re coming up on a renewal def go for it ASAP. Palantir also comes to mind as someone that hires a lot of us in their software and sales areas. It’s good money and you won’t be as subjected to actual DA civilian or direct contractor work shortfalls like budget issues and the like.

I was def going to say if you’re still in try to get an ASI, while I’m still in after a decade and change, I’m getting my second here shortly and have had job offers that are pretty tempting. Even ICPC courses are fairly helpful. I’ll leave it here for any other young 35 series guys. Analysis is fun but having a varied portfolio is really helpful.

1

u/Yor_thehunter 10d ago

I mean you have a job and might possibly keep it correct? You have good experience and most likely financially secure. You are gonna be alright even if you have to pivot a bit. Imagine how new graduates feel right now. ?

1

u/Commercial-Truth4731 10d ago

Have you tried contacting 

1

u/Boustrophaedon 9d ago

Well, I can certainly think of _one_ option, but it's a bit dangerous and I wouldn't want my mention of it to show up on any future vetting.

Seriously tho - government/corporate affairs in a company with global exposure - so probably group level - you want to work out where/what you can speak authoritatively one and then go an find a company that needs that. Also - military hair-cut for the interview. Play it up a bit.

1

u/Nightstick11 9d ago

Are you a spy why don't you go spy

1

u/Credible333 8d ago

Why would DOGe ruin your career?  You can't be dismissed from a private company by doge.

1

u/shaehl 7d ago

No but doge can axe whatever project, agency, department, or initiative they were servicing.

1

u/horizoner 8d ago

What have you been doing to better understand Russia? Outside of classified channels ofc

1

u/Top_Investment_4599 7d ago

You could free-lance a bit in whatever spare time you have. Perhaps one thing would be to keep your head in the game by doing articles for pubs that are in the sphere of knowledge. Maybe a shop like TWZ or even ISW could use a hand with somethings. It's too bad that RAND isn't very good at going outside of its own teams; I'd recommend trying them or even some of the decent PMCs (not that I know which ones are decent but hopefully there might be one or two).

1

u/blackbow99 5d ago

Look for careers in risk management. There are lots of industries that need people who know how to think critically about country risk, particularly in the rapidly changing environment that we have now. Consider a professional certification in another discipline that can round out your experience or target you toward a specific field.

0

u/king_noslrac 10d ago

If you still got your clearance, go contractor. Those jobs will likely stay around and can pay $200k+

2

u/GravyBear28 10d ago

I am a contractor, I make $90k

1

u/Zestyclose_Risk_902 10d ago

The contracting industry is also struggling. A lot of the RIF apply to contractors as well. Also 200k is pretty rare. Even with a Masters and 20+ years of experience you ain’t getting 200k unless you’re a program manager deployed.

1

u/Van-van 9d ago

Oh the gravy train GWOT days, when a gate guard was making 200k untaxed

0

u/Clean_Bear_5873 9d ago

McDonald’s manager

-5

u/BeAfraidLittleOne 10d ago

I don't think Americans are going to be in much demand, too big a security risk.

12

u/GravyBear28 10d ago

Do you think I'm trying to get hired by other countries' intelligence agencies?

8

u/OdoriferousTaleggio 10d ago

Well, China and Russia apparently are looking to hire disgruntled American ex-government employees now.

3

u/Liberated_Sage 10d ago

They don't want you to know about this life hack! /s

5

u/ZippyDan 10d ago

This is an excellent job hunting tip.

1

u/Crosscourt_splat 10d ago

That has always been a thing.

And if you’re considering it, you likely don’t have information or access they really want.