What credentials are needed to work for the CIA? | Forensic Files

when I was a a child I I was fascinated with American [Music] history I remember being struck by the
fact that Nathan halil this nation's first spy uh was hanged on the 22nd of September which is the date of my birth
so there was something that attracted me to Nathan halil and curious about what it means to work in the intelligence
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
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
York City remember it was Federal Plaza and sat down with the recruiter he said well if you going into graduate school
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
and I was uh very excited when I I got the phone call that I was uh accepted into to the
CIA I had served overseas I spent my freshman year of college in the summer over in Indonesia working on a paper on
oil and politics in Indonesia and traveled throughout Java a junior year I went over to Cairo and went to school
for Arabic as well as just midle studies so the combination of my overseas time as well as my
concentration on Middle Eastern studies I think was What attracted the CIA to take a chance and and hire me so it was
during my formative years as an intelligence officer that I was able to uh watch History being
made through the course of my career I've had the great Fortune of being in meetings with some of the the world's
most notable leaders and and at critical times of of world history and it was a very exciting uh
experience that prepared me well for my uh last 6 and a half years or so working
at the White House and now SE director

CIA Director John Brennan explains that when he was young he didn't know what he wanted to do with his life -- until he saw an ad in the paper. For more, watch "48 Hours Presents: The Spymasters - CIA in the Crosshairs" Saturday, May 21, 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Brief Summary

A CIA officer shares their journey from fascination with history to working in intelligence and the White House.

Key points

A Fascination with History. The speaker's childhood fascination with American history led to a career in intelligence.
Joining the CIA. After seeing an ad, the speaker applied to the CIA and was accepted.
Exciting Experiences in Intelligence. The speaker reflects on their thrilling experiences working with world leaders.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

I was fascinated with American history.

Reflecting on childhood interests.

WatchMay 17, 2016

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