If you're uncertain about what field you want to enter after finishing college or if you're looking for a mid-career change, then you might want to consider a position at the Central Intelligence Agency. No, you don't have to be a suave, sophisticated, highly trained spy in order to work there -- though there certainly are openings for those types as well. But like any other government agency, there are plenty of CIA jobs that ordinary people can do. The only problem is making sure you qualify for these positions, as some of the requirements can be rather difficult to fulfill.
The first thing every applicant needs for CIA jobs at any level is a college degree. Whether you're applying to be an administrative assistant or an intelligence operative, at the minimum you'll need a Bachelor's degree in a related field. That means something like Criminal Justice, International Relations, Business Administration, or perhaps a foreign language if you intend to work in the field. In some cases, you might even need a Master's degree or higher, depending on specific job requirements. This is pretty standard stuff so far, and shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.
The second thing every applicant must have is a clean record. "Clean" as in pristine, that is. All candidates for CIA jobs must submit to an extensive background check in which agents will comb through all your school records and interview folks from your past and present (former teachers, neighbors, colleagues, friends, associates, etc.) to get a better idea of your general character. If you have an arrest record, you can forget about securing any CIA jobs in this lifetime.
If you meet these first two requirements of having an appropriate degree and an immaculate background, you'll still have to pass a battery of psychological tests to make sure you have the proper mental make-up for the position. CIA jobs come with a lot of stress, and since you'll likely be dealing with a lot of classified material, the agency needs to know that you're up to the challenge of making ethically sound decisions. Psychological tests can reveal your tendencies in these areas.
And finally, you must be competent and conduct yourself well during any personal interviews. Meeting the above requirements will serve to get your foot in the door for a closer look, but won't guarantee a job offer. Hundreds of other applicants will make it just as far. But the real CIA jobs will only go to the best of the best, meaning the candidates who distinguish themselves in other ways during the interview. These are the ones who demonstrate leadership abilities, have a great sense of integrity, are trustworthy, and can remain calm and cool in pressure-packed situations. In other words, if you're a nervous, tentative wallflower type, you need not apply.
There's no question that CIA jobs are highly prized and sought after because of the prestige, earning power, and sense of satisfaction that comes from serving the president and the country. Obviously it's very difficult to meet the minimum qualifications for joining the agency, but that's exactly why agents are so elite. Do you have what it takes?