If you want to put your language skills to use and serve your country, perhaps the National Security Agency (NSA) is for you! The NSA works closely with the rest of the Intelligence Community to protect the United States from foreign threats and adversaries. NSA has both offensive and defensive missions. The offense collects, analyzes, and reports intelligence information derived from foreign signals to assist United States policymakers and military commanders in making well-informed decisions that protect U.S. security. The defense prevents adversaries from gaining access to sensitive or classified national security information. The NSA also protects and defends U.S. government IT systems against cyber threats.
Foreign language proficiency is vital to NSA’s mission. NSA language analysts are at the front line of national defense. They analyze foreign communications to uncover potential threats. They are the first to determine the relevance of collected intelligence, and they put the intelligence into context for our nation’s leaders.
There are a few different opportunities for Lawrence students and new graduates to get experience with the NSA.
In the NSA Summer Language Program Internship, you will spend 12 weeks working as a language analyst at NSA. Proficiency in Chinese, Russian, and Farsi, are in high demand, but other languages will be considered. The application period is usually from September 1 through October 31 each year.
In the NSA Cooperative Education Program (Co-Op) for Language, students will alternate semesters between college and working at NSA as a language analyst. Students can apply for the Co-Op Program starting halfway through their year or during their sophomore year. Application period is open from September 1 to October 31 and from February 1 to March 31 each year and is for Chinese and Russian students.
Finally, the Language Analysis Development Program (LADP) is a full-time development program for new-hires and involves rotational tours in a variety of offices, coursework to build foundational knowledge, and quality mentoring. The Language Development Program builds linguistic knowledge for entry-level language analysts and train them in analytic skills and the latest technologies available to the Intelligence Community. Participants will work on a wide range of subjects and learn techniques used to evaluate foreign communications. Combined with geopolitical and cultural expertise, they will use these skills to understand both overtly stated meaning and subtly implied intent as they translate and transcribe foreign communications and report critical information to U.S. government customers. The LADP application is posted every other month. It is recommended that students apply 9-12 months prior to graduation.
For more information on these programs and to apply, visit https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/nsa