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What credentials are needed to work for the CIA?

May 17, 2016 / 02:07

This episode features a discussion about American music history, the CIA, and personal experiences in intelligence. The guest shares their journey from childhood fascination with Nathan Hale to a career in the CIA.

The guest recounts their early interest in American history, particularly the story of Nathan Hale, and how it influenced their decision to pursue a career in intelligence. They mention applying to the CIA after seeing an advertisement in the New York Times.

They describe their educational background, including studying Arabic and Middle Eastern studies, and how their overseas experiences in Indonesia and Cairo contributed to their qualifications for the CIA.

The guest reflects on their time as an intelligence officer, highlighting the opportunity to witness significant historical events and meet influential world leaders. They conclude by discussing their final years at the White House.

TLDR

A CIA officer shares their journey from childhood fascination to working in intelligence and witnessing historical events.

Episode

2:07

00:00:00

when I was a a child I I was fascinated with American [Music] history I remember being struck by the

00:00:13

fact that Nathan halil this nation's first spy uh was hanged on the 22nd of September which is the date of my birth

00:00:22

so there was something that attracted me to Nathan halil and curious about what it means to work in the intelligence

00:00:30

uh world so when I was at forom I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life and I decided to pursue Graduate Studies

00:00:38

but I I did see an ad in the New York Times saying that CIA was looking for good men and women I went over to New

00:00:43

York City remember it was Federal Plaza and sat down with the recruiter he said well if you going into graduate school

00:00:48

here's an application and if you decide to uh pursue a career at CIA send this application in and so I decided to apply

00:00:55

and I was uh very excited when I I got the phone call that I was uh accepted into to the

00:01:00

CIA I had served overseas I spent my freshman year of college in the summer over in Indonesia working on a paper on

00:01:09

oil and politics in Indonesia and traveled throughout Java a junior year I went over to Cairo and went to school

00:01:16

for Arabic as well as just midle studies so the combination of my overseas time as well as my

00:01:23

concentration on Middle Eastern studies I think was What attracted the CIA to take a chance and and hire me so it was

00:01:30

during my formative years as an intelligence officer that I was able to uh watch History being

00:01:37

made through the course of my career I've had the great Fortune of being in meetings with some of the the world's

00:01:44

most notable leaders and and at critical times of of world history and it was a very exciting uh

00:01:52

experience that prepared me well for my uh last 6 and a half years or so working

00:01:58

at the White House and now SE director

Episode Highlights

Joining the CIA
An unexpected ad in the New York Times led to a life-changing decision.
“I was very excited when I got the phone call that I was accepted.”
@ 00m 55s
May 17, 2016
Exciting Experiences in Intelligence
Years of working with notable leaders during critical times in history.
“It was a very exciting experience that prepared me well.”
@ 01m 52s
May 17, 2016

Episode Quotes

I was very excited when I got the phone call that I was accepted.
What credentials are needed to work for the CIA?
It was a very exciting experience that prepared me well.
What credentials are needed to work for the CIA?

Key Moments

CIA Application00:55
Exciting Career01:52

Words per Minute Over Time

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