Have any current govt/defense contract workers heard of AMU? (area, companies)

[lchoro]

If you're working on international terrorism (I have a close relative in the field), it helps to have background in the local culture and politics since most 'terrorism' is rooted in ethnic and religious differences. His background is Phd in History and foreign service. There's a lot of demand for analysts fluent in Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, and other languages spoken in Central Asia and the Middle East.

Georgtown Center for Peace and Security Studies (Master of Arts)

http://sfs.georgetown.edu/learning/graduate/

[ZakAttack]

Well, maybe you can try and get the job first, then see if they will PAY for your masters. Often times, as long as you can articulate the degree relates to your current job, they will do it here in this area. Some private companies do, some do not. Most government jobs do.
It's going to be a very personal choice for you. Good luck.

[flyers29]

As someone currently getting a degree in a similar field from a brick-and-mortar institution...I say you should give AMU a try. Gov't employment is a crapshoot anyway, at least for those of us without a TS clearance or military service.

[akorosdc]

Originally Posted by Nemesis16

K. I'll definitely love the job, I'm just trying to fastrack my career by not losing a semester of schooling since I have a rather akward graduation time. Again, thanks for the feedback.

That's totally understandable. My main reasons for saying this are:
1) You could always change your mind after you actually work in the field
2) You could find out that the degree isn't worth much, or is worth more than you thought from a different school, etc.
3) You might run the risk of being "too" qualified. I know some people who ran off to get their Master's right away and are having difficulty finding a job because they are too expensive for too little work experience. Still others got the degree and then found out that they didn't want to do anything that actually used it, so it was a waste of time and money.

From listening to people, fields like that are very experience-heavy, in that experience weighs as much, if not more, than education. Besides, it gives the agency/company the opportunity to mold you into what they want (while footing the bill). Also, the friends I have at NDIC put off graduate school for 2 years and are still the youngest people in their classes. Most of their classmates are director-level. Basically, not going to school for a few months won't leave you "behind". It varies by field, but I remember reading that the average graduate student is about 25 years old when they start. For a lot of quality MBA programs they don't really consider candidates without 5 years or so of applicable work experience.

[Fantasticx]

most intel jobs require TS clearance and military experience as flyers29 said. If you are young and have a college degree, I think military service should be considered.

[Nemesis16]

Originally Posted by Fantasticx

most intel jobs require TS clearance and military experience as flyers29 said. If you are young and have a college degree, I think military service should be considered.

Yeah I'll have a TS/SCI, BA in Political Science, and all-source intel training when i graduate in the fall, just no "real" experience. Booz Allen and Man-Tech are the only defense contractors I'm aware of that are hiring entry level positions. They usually look at a college degree as the equivalent of 4 years of experience.

[Ashburnite]

Originally Posted by Nemesis16

Yeah I'll have a TS/SCI, BA in Political Science, and all-source intel training when i graduate in the fall, just no "real" experience. Booz Allen and Man-Tech are the only defense contractors I'm aware of that are hiring entry level positions. They usually look at a college degree as the equivalent of 4 years of experience.

What kind of job are you looking for exactly? Homeland security jobs can mean anything from personal security, public health, explosives expert, emergency management, disaster exercises, nuclear safety, port security, etc. What angle are you interested in? Besides a degree in "Homeland Security" you might consider one in Emergency Management with a concentration in a specific area.

As far as schools go, the best thing to do is talk to people in the field you wish to be in and see if the school you're considering is recognizable to them. The general public doesn't have to have heard of it but it should be a school that means something within the field you're interested in.

[Ashburnite]

Depending on your field and the jobs available there also is (and this is just a short list):

Raytheon
ICF International
BAE Systems
L-3 Communications
CACI
SAIC
Deloitte
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

[Nemesis16]

Originally Posted by Ashburnite

What kind of job are you looking for exactly? Homeland security jobs can mean anything from personal security, public health, explosives expert, emergency management, disaster exercises, nuclear safety, port security, etc. What angle are you interested in? Besides a degree in "Homeland Security" you might consider one in Emergency Management with a concentration in a specific area.

As far as schools go, the best thing to do is talk to people in the field you wish to be in and see if the school you're considering is recognizable to them. The general public doesn't have to have heard of it but it should be a school that means something within the field you're interested in.

I've already stated it before but I'm looking at intel. analyst positions and Man-Tech and Booz Allen are the only DC area companies hiring without experience.

[Ashburnite]

Originally Posted by juniperbleu

Yes, that's why I mentioned that they all got a job with the government first. The FBI has some sort of entry-level program that helps you get your foot in the door with regards to security/intelligence experience, and then later you can work towards an Analyst or Agent track.

I'm going to have to agree with juniperbleu - you may not be able to find a job with the title you seek. It's hard to compete with so many people in this area already having experience. Start with something more entry level and move up from there. Your bachelor's degree training doesn't amount to much in the defense industry in DC.